The design and work of system of the steering mechanism are generally borrowed from model 626 (GF), except for the following.

On the Mazda 3 cars the telescopic mechanism with the variable characteristic is used.

Fig. 5.2. Scheme of operation of the steering mechanism with the variable characteristic: 1 – steering wheel; 2 – steering shaft; 3 – intermediate shaft; 4 – steering mechanism; 5 – A-A section; 6 – from the steering mechanism; 7 – from a steering wheel; 8 – U-shaped plate; 9 – internal shaft; 10 – external column; 11 – arm; 12 – normal situation; 13 – at collision

The steering mechanism is connected to a steering shaft through an intermediate shaft (fig. 5.2). During collision the intermediate shaft collapses at the movement of the steering mechanism back, thus decrease in energy of blow is reached.

In case of blow of a body of the driver about a steering wheel, force of blow is transferred from a steering wheel to an internal shaft, an external column and an arm of fastening. At the same time the arm of fastening separates from the dashboard and all steering shaft is displaced forward. After that the U-shaped plate fixed on the dashboard on the one hand and withheld by a fastening arm with another is deformed and absorbs energy of blow.