# Steering shaft inspection length (NB2 and Mazdaspeed)

Canonical URL: https://miatatorque.com/spec/steering-shaft-inspection-length-nb2/

Applicability: NB 2001–2005 (BP-Z3) — Other years inferred from 2003/2005 factory evidence.; NB 2004–2005 (BP-Z3-TURBO) — 2005 factory evidence; 2004 inferred within MSM family.

Confidence: fsm

593.8—595.8 mm {23.38—23.45 in}

Always confirm against your factory manual. Match every restriction and follow all stages and procedure notes. Disputed claims must not be automatically resolved. The complete record below preserves every printed unit, source claim and procedure.

```json
{
  "id": "steering-shaft-inspection-length-nb2",
  "name": "Steering shaft inspection length (NB2 and Mazdaspeed)",
  "aliases": [],
  "applies_to": [
    {
      "gen": "NB",
      "years": [
        2001,
        2005
      ],
      "engines": [
        "BP-Z3"
      ],
      "note": "Other years inferred from 2003/2005 factory evidence."
    },
    {
      "gen": "NB",
      "years": [
        2004,
        2005
      ],
      "engines": [
        "BP-Z3-TURBO"
      ],
      "note": "2005 factory evidence; 2004 inferred within MSM family."
    }
  ],
  "kind": "non-torque",
  "value_text": "593.8—595.8 mm {23.38—23.45 in}",
  "procedure": {
    "notes": "Measure steering shaft length using the exact endpoints shown in the factory inspection figure. Inspect column bearing damage and shaft length; replace the column component as necessary. Power-steering inspection refers to this same procedure."
  },
  "confidence": "fsm",
  "sources": [
    {
      "source": "fsm-2003",
      "page": "PDF p. 1508, 1542",
      "as_printed": "Length\n593.8—595.8 mm {23.38—23.45 in}",
      "verified_years": [
        2003,
        2003
      ],
      "document": {
        "id": "fsm-2003",
        "tier": 1,
        "title": "2003 Mazda MX-5 Miata Workshop Manual (electronic manual capture)",
        "covers": [
          {
            "gen": "NB",
            "years": [
              2003,
              2003
            ],
            "engines": [
              "BP-Z3"
            ]
          }
        ],
        "note": "Normally aspirated BP procedures audited; turbo procedures are covered separately."
      }
    },
    {
      "source": "fsm-2005",
      "page": "Steering Shaft Inspection (PDF p. 1670)",
      "as_printed": "Length\n593.8—595.8 mm {23.38—23.45 in}",
      "verified_years": [
        2005,
        2005
      ],
      "document": {
        "id": "fsm-2005",
        "tier": 1,
        "title": "2005 Mazda MX-5 Miata Workshop Manual (electronic manual capture)",
        "covers": [
          {
            "gen": "NB",
            "years": [
              2005,
              2005
            ],
            "engines": [
              "BP-Z3"
            ]
          },
          {
            "gen": "NB",
            "years": [
              2005,
              2005
            ],
            "engines": [
              "BP-Z3-TURBO"
            ],
            "trans": [
              "6MT"
            ]
          }
        ]
      }
    }
  ],
  "jobs": [],
  "system": "steering",
  "component": "inventory-pass-2026-10",
  "componentName": "Service measurements and fasteners",
  "sequence_diagrams": [],
  "url": "https://miatatorque.com/spec/steering-shaft-inspection-length-nb2/"
}
```