Washer Assembly Note

WARNING: This page is about a different car, the 2005 Mazda RX-8. However, it is still accessible from the selected car via links, so may be relevant.

Assemble the side gear, thrust washer, pinion gear, and the pinion shaft to the gear case.
Install the dial gauge with the measuring probe of the dial gauge attached perpendicularly to the end of one of the pinion gear teeth.
Fix either one of the side gears.

Move the pinion gear and measure the backlash at the pinion gear top.

If it is not within the specification, adjust by choosing the proper washer.

Fig 1: Measuring Backlash At Pinion Gear Top

Courtesy of MAZDA MOTORS CORP.

Standard

0.03-0.15 mm {0.001-0.005 in} (MT)
0.1 mm {0.004 in} or less (AT)

WASHER THICKNESS SPECIFICATION (MT)

Identification mark	Part name	Thickness (mm {in})
0	RA12 27 252	0.75 {0.0295}
05	RA12 27 253	0.80 {0.0315}
1	RA12 27 254	0.85 {0.0335}
15	RA12 27 257	0.90 {0.0354}
2	RA12 27 258	0.95 {0.0374}

WASHER THICKNESS SPECIFICATION (AT)

Identification mark	Part name	Thickness (mm {in})
0	0578 27 252	2.00 {0.0787}
05	P016 27 252	2.05 {0.0807}
1	0578 27 253	2.10 {0.0827}
15	P016 27 253	2.15 {0.0846}
2	0578 27 254	2.20 {0.0866}