Steering - Stick-Slip Noise In Cold Temperatures

Bulletin No: 06-003/12

Last Issued: 06/12/2012

Subject:
STICK-SLIP NOISE WHEN STEERING IN COLD TEMPERATURES

APPLICABLE MODEL(S)/VINS
2010-2012 Mazda3 vehicles with VINs lower than JM1BL******605056 (produced before February 1, 2012)

2012 Mazda5 vehicles with VINs lower than JM1CW******137103 (produced before February 1, 2012)

DESCRIPTION





Some vehicles may exhibit stick-slip noise from the clock spring behind the steering wheel when turning immediately after engine start in cold temperatures. This is caused when the torque pin cover (A), which is made of rubber and attached to the clock spring boss (B), gets hardened when cold. To correct the problem, the material of the torque pin cover has been changed.





Customers having this concern should have their vehicle repaired using the following repair procedure to replace the original torque pin covers (gray) with modified ones (black).

REPAIR PROCEDURE

1. Verify customer concern. If the noise exists when cold, confirm that the noise disappears when the column cover is warmed up using a heat gun.

^ If the noise goes away, go to step 2.

^ If the noise does not go away, this service bulletin is not applicable.





2. Remove the drivers side airbag module (A). Refer to MS3 online instructions or Workshop Manual section 08-10 DRIVER-SIDE AIR BAG MODULE REMOVAL/INSTALLATION.

3. Remove the steering wheel. Refer to MS3 online instructions or Workshop Manual section 06-13 STEERING WHEEL AND COLUMN REMOVAL/INSTALLATION.





4. Remove the two gray torque pin covers (A) attached to the clock spring (B).

a. Hold the clock spring by hand.





b. Pinch the torque pin cover with fingers and twist several times while pulling straight out to remove it.

CAUTION:
DO NOT apply lateral force to the torque pin, or it could get broken.

If the torque pin cover is sticking to the pin and is hard to remove:

1) Using the coarse tooth of slip-joint pliers, softly grip the torque pin cover.

CAUTION:
DO NOT grip the torque pin cover with the tip of the pliers, or it could get broken.





2) Slowly twist the torque pin cover several times to free the cover from the pin.

CAUTION:
^ DO NOT apply lateral force.
^ DO NOT pry with a flat head screwdriver.
^ DO NOT pull the cover out with pliers.





c. Verify that there is no damage or deformation to the torque pins (A).


5.Install the modified torque pin covers (black) to the torque pins until they are properly fitted. NG: NOT fully installed.

CAUTION:
^ DO NOT repair with dirty hands covered in oil, water, or foreign material.

^ DO NOT reuse the current parts.





6. Verify the clock spring is set to the center position. If it is not center, adjust it to the center position. Refer to MS3 online instructions or Workshop Manual section 08-10 CLOCK SPRING ADJUSTMENT.

7. Install the steering wheel.

NOTE:
Replace the steering lock bolt, which is not reusable, with a new one.

8. Install the drivers side airbag module.

9. Verify repair.





PART(S) INFORMATION





WARRANTY INFORMATION