Steering Wheel off Center Without Drift or Pull – 2003-2016 Mazda

Subject: STEERING WHEEL OFF CENTER WITHOUT DRIFT OR PULL	Bulletin No: 02-009/16
	Last Issued: 03/07/2016

 

BULLETIN NOTE

This bulletin supersedes the previously issued bulletin(s) listed below: The changes are noted in Red beside the change bars.

Previously issued TSBs:	Date issued:
02-004/14	11/04/2014
02-004/13	08/22/2013 and 04/10/2013
02-004/12	09/19/2012 and 02/19/13
02-005/10	03/26/10 and 11/05/10

 

APPLICABLE MODEL(S)/VINS

2011-2016 Mazda2	2003-2016 Mazda6	2007-2012 CX-7	2004-2011 RX-8
2004-2016 Mazda3	2016 CX-3	2007-2016 CX-9	2001-2011 Tribute
2006-2015 Mazda5	2013-2016 CX-5	2006-2016 MX-5

 

DESCRIPTION

Some customers may complain that the steering wheel is off center more than 3° even when driving straight on a flat road.

Customers having this concern should have their vehicle repaired using the following repair procedure.

 

REPAIR PROCEDURE

1. Verify customer concern and make sure there is no drift or pull concern.
   • If the steering is pulling to the right or the left, this procedure does not apply. Refer to MS3 online instructions for troubleshooting.
2. Measure the offset using “Measurement of Steering Wheel Offset.”
   • If the offset is 3° or less, it is considered normal.
   • If the offset is more than 3°, adjust the steering wheel center using “Adjustment of Steering Wheel Center.”
3. Verify repair.

 

Measurement of Steering Wheel Offset

1. Visually align the steering wheel to its center, then apply tape on the steering wheel and the steering column cover.

2. Put an alignment mark on the tape.

3. Drive the vehicle and align the steering wheel to its driving center, then put another mark on the tape.

4. Measure the distance between the two lines. The offset can be approximately calculated using 1mm = 1° of offset.

 

Adjustment of Steering Wheel Center

1. Put an alignment mark over the tie-rod end and tie-rod as shown.

2. Remove the boot clamp (A), then loosen the lock nut (B).

3. Rotate the tie-rod to adjust the steering wheel center. Refer to the following charts for rotating direction.

NOTE: Rotate both sides of the tie-rod by the same amount.

 

– Steering wheel offset direction and tie-rod rotating direction –

FRONT WHEEL DRIVE (Vehicles with steering gear mounted to the rear side of the front axle)

Steering wheel offset direction	Tie-rod adjust	Tie-rod rotating direction to adjust
Right	Right side	Tighten the tie-rod towards the tie-rod end to decrease the length of the tie-rod.
	Left side	Loosen the tie-rod from the tie-rod end to increase the length of the tie-rod.
Left	Right side	Loosen the tie-rod from the tie-rod end to increase the length of the tie-rod.
	Left side	Tighten the tie-rod towards the tie-rod end to decrease the length of the tie-rod.

 

REAR WHEEL DRIVE (Vehicles with steering gear mounted to the front side of the front axle)

Steering wheel offset direction	Tie-rod adjust	Tie-rod rotating direction to adjust
Right	Right side	Loosen the tie-rod from the tie-rod end to increase the length of the tie-rod.
	Left side	Tighten the tie-rod towards the tie-rod end to decrease the length of the tie-rod.
Left	Right side	Tighten the tie-rod towards the tie-rod end to decrease the length of the tie-rod.
	Left side	Loosen the tie-rod from the tie-rod end to increase the length of the tie-rod.

 

A: Tie-rod
B: Lock nut
C: Tie-rod end
F: Front of vehicle

1. Turn in this direction to loosen the tie-rod from the tie-rod end and increase the length.
2. Turn in this direction to tighten the tie rod towards the tie-rod end and decrease the length.

 

– (Reference) Steering wheel offset and tie-rod rotating angle –

Steering wheel offset to adjust	Tie-rod rotating angle
4 mm (approximately 4°)	150°
5 mm (approximately 5°)	180° (half turn)
6 mm (approximately 6°)	210°
7 mm (approximately 7°)	240°

 

4. Tighten the lock nut. Refer to MS3 online instructions for the tightening torque.
5. Straighten the boot, then attach the boot clamp.
6. Verify repair.

 

WARRANTY INFORMATION

NOTE:

• This warranty information applies only to verified customer complaints on vehicles eligible for warranty repair.
• This repair will be covered under Mazda’s Service Adjustment Warranty term (12 months/12,000 miles).
• Additional diagnostic time cannot be claimed for this repair.
• This Service Bulletin cannot be combined with a wheel alignment.

Warranty Type	A
Symptom Code	30
Damage Code	9H
Part Number Main Cause	5555-FE-001
Quantity	0
Operation Number / Labor Hours:	XXF11XAX / 0.4 Hrs.

 

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02-009/16

https://www.nhtsa.gov/recalls?nhtsaId=10101062

https://www.nhtsa.gov/recalls?nhtsaId=10090812

https://static.nhtsa.gov/odi/tsbs/2016/SB-10090812-6903.pdf

 

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02-004/14

11/4/2014

https://www.nhtsa.gov/recalls?nhtsaId=10098895

https://www.nhtsa.gov/recalls?nhtsaId=10059471

https://static.nhtsa.gov/odi/tsbs/2014/SB-10098895-2532.pdf

 

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Last update on 2026-06-06 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API

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