One problem related to steering rack and pinion has been reported for the 1998 Mazda Protege. The most recently reported issues are listed below.
When turning in either direction steering produces a grinding noise. As a result, the steering rack and pinion has malfunctioned. Midas asking for $1400 and says this is common Mazda Protege 1998 problem. I found similar already existing complaint by someone else (reference number: 10083656).