Steering Rack Replacement
 

Hello.

Just a quick check, how many 6MTs out there have had their steering racks changed due to a problematic sensor?


Do sound out. Thanks.

My friend had this problem but 4at 2004

Okay thanks. I was looking around to see if folks had any problems with a warranty claim.

More importantly, if this is a recurring problem.

i have this problem... started after i bought my 2nd hand 6MT and drove it for about 5-6 months... it happens after startup from an overnight or long park... have problems turning the wheel right, as tho there is no assistance, or it is jerky... after awhile it goes away. have yet to go and check it out cos i can still drive with it.

Not quite.....
 

Almost.

The dealer/tech diagnosed it as a bad sensor, needing a new rack, but I pointed out the tech bulletin about the short harness replacement, and we did that.

Good like new.

It's the small (24") harness that goes up the radiator, and has all the ground connections on it. Tech asked the Mazda rep why there is no explanation of this harness going bad in the diagnosis procedure, they said it was "too rare"!

S

I see. I pointed out to my dealer that this was a known problem. I did not further my research into the root cause. I just told them it felt like the input sensor (torque sensor?) of sorts have failed.

The dealer changed the rack. Now that you mentioned about this harness, which makes me wonder, if my dealer have been reading their mails...

Nevertheless, after the rack change, the steering is fine now. I am still worried about this problem recurring after the warranty period. They just gave me a replacement, but that doesn't fix the root problem on the part. :doh:

Thanks Stealth.

Right. I had the same problem, just that mine goes for both left or right turn on morning starts.

It starts with no steering assistance, followed by VIOLENT vibrations to the steering wheel once the assistance kicks in. During which, I have no control over the wheel and it turns by itself.

Perhaps you might want to take it to the dealer for a look. Ask them if its the same problem as what Stealth has described.

i have yet to encounter such a prob. which yr is your 6mt?

YOM '04. About 50,000 kilometres on the odo.

I'm starting to encounter this problem. Usually happens in the morning after long hours of parking. Strange cause it only happens when I commence a right turn.

Any suggestions as to where I can get this problem solved?? My warranty ended long ago...

As StealthTL has pointed out, it could be as simple as a problem with the harness. I've checked again with my dealer, they don't seem to be aware of this harness issue StealthTL has mentioned.

However, I heard that I weren't the only fella who reported this problem. :nono:

i have this problem too......mine is a apr 2005 4at model, current mileage is 29K only. just have this problem for less than a month :mad: :mad: :mad:

I thought this was a 6MT model thingy. Apparently not...

Things like cracked engine mounts can be replaced cheap, even if it were to recurr after the warranty. I've already had both mine replaced.

Now the steering thingy is a totally different story... It'll probably cost me a couple of thousand dollars to get it fixed. If it is an issue with an inferior part, the root cause is not fixed and the problem will recurr after my warranty. It's going to be a long-term pain. :sweatdrop

Just an update. The specific part that the dealer replaced was the Steering Gear. A quick check on the price listed in Rosenthal website indicated that it should be about 1,600 SGD...

Sorrows...

Yeah I had mine changed as well from MM and no problem or watsoever with the claim. In fact i just told them about the prob with the steering and it only happens once a while..... with that they changed it straightaway. And also I had the engine mount changed as well when it is still under warranty ..... mazda sing is really doing a good job ..... questions asked and pointing fingers at might be due to your modification etc etc...... blah blah...... very glad I bought my car from them instead of PI.

Yep have to agree MM Spore is doing a good job replacing parts when they became problematic. Surprising since most of these parts are not cheap (listed price). Well done MM !

hi guys,

Am drivin a 04 4AT, had this stupid steering problem few months ago.. as with others who have the same problem, the symptoms are the same... and it just kept gettin worse. It takes longer and longer to settle down in the mornings before the car becomes drivable.

Anyway, I got fed up of it and did what was recommended by those who have fixed the problem....I changed the whole steering rack. Had mine done at monster G and the problem is all gone. I think its worth changing it but can't say much for Mazda and how they can have such a common enough problem with the car and yet not investigate and address the issue with owners?? Too bad for me mine's a PI car as well...

Anyway sure hope that the problem doesn't recurr again like with the engine mount problems.

I guess its up to the individual if thay can tolerate this problem. It seems ok once the car is warmed up and theres no problem... but I can't shake the fact that if this problem ocurs at a high speed corner.... car and driver are definately screwed.


Just some of my thoughts...

David

so you r davester....... have been hearing abt u from the rest of the monster guys but have no chance to see you. Saw ur car when they were changing the steerring rack, but still no chance to see u. Anyway, glad that ur problem is solved. Hope you look forward to ur upcoming project.

Ya, have not had the pleasure of formally meeting u.

Well have been popping into this forum intermittently and gettin poisoned as you guys say... so now itchy backside cannot tahan n doin this big project..

looking forward to meeting u . cheers

Paulk,

As mentioned in my earlier post, had the problem, apparently changing the whole steering rack solves the problem. I did mine. so far so good now for several months.

The cases you mentioned where others changed parts but the problem returned...was the whole steering rack changed completely??

Dave

Had this problem especially during morning run. Did not complain to MM but they offered to replace my steering rack after a servicing inspection. Mine had been driving for 2.5 yrs with 50k mailage. Beside engine mount had also been replace. FYI pls.

Actually, does anyone know what is the ROOT cause of the steering problem? Sorry to sound kinda negative but I personally don't think it's a defective batch of steering racks, thus even if you change the steering rack, I believe the condition will reappear again after time if the root cause is still present. I think it might be heat related, but if anyone knows the real reason or suspects some other cause, please share with us.

Cost?
 

Hi all, was looking to get a 8 from PI but am checking out wats the common inherent prob. So wat will be the estimated cost to change the steering rack and engine mounting?

Steering rack may have prob in 2.5yrs time and engine mounting to be changed at about every 10,000KM? Pls advise

I am driving a 4at about 40k mileage. From PI.

I am having the same problem in the mornings? If this is a widespread problem and involved safety; shouldn't there be a global recall? Like the toyota wish?

Have the same problem before with my MM yr 2004 6MT but was rectify at MM as it was still under warranty.

I remember the technical guy told me it was due to some sensor malfunction at the steering. The items stated in the invoice which have been replaced are known as R&R steering gear assembly and R&R combination switch. Not too sure what the heck is that but hope it can helps a bit :)

Seems like the steering wheel problem is quite usual among RX8 and more interesting to know it always happens on the right turn!

Oh forgot to state i am from s'pore :lol2: