1. Inspect the dust boot on the drive shaft for cracks, damage, leaking grease, and looseness in the boot band.

2. Inspect the drive shaft for bends, cracks, and wear in the joint or splines.
Joint shaft disassembly/assembly
Drive shaft removal/installationMazda 6 Service Manual: Inboard combination light removal/installation
1. Disconnect the negative battery cable.
2. Remove the trunk lid trim (liftgate lower trim). (See TRUNK LID TRIM
REMOVAL/INSTALLATION) (See LIFTGATE LOWER TRIM REMOVAL/INSTALLATION)
3. Remove in the order indicated in the table.
4. Install in the reverse order of removal.
Inboard Combinat ...
Mazda 6 Service Manual: Steering wheel and column inspection
Steering Wheel Play Inspection
With the wheels in the straight-ahead position, gently turn the steering
wheel to the left and right and verify that the play is within the
specification.
If the play exceeds the specification, either the steering joints are
worn or the backlash of the stee ...