Manual Transaxle Shift Mechanism Removal/Installation: Removal

Disconnect the negative battery cable. (See NEGATIVE BATTERY CABLE DISCONNECTION/CONNECTION .)
Remove the shift lever using the following procedure:
1. Remove the upper panel. (See UPPER PANEL REMOVAL .)
2. Remove the shift lever knob.
  
  Fig 1: Removing Shift Lever Knob
  Courtesy of MAZDA MOTORS CORP.
3. Remove the shift panel. (See SHIFT PANEL REMOVAL/INSTALLATION .)
4. Remove the front console box. (without electric parking brake) (See FRONT CONSOLE BOX REMOVAL/INSTALLATION .)
5. Remove the side wall. (See SIDE WALL REMOVAL/INSTALLATION .)
6. Remove the rear console. (See REAR CONSOLE REMOVAL/INSTALLATION .)
7. Press the tabs on the control cable as shown in the figure and disconnect the control cable from the shift lever.
  
  Fig 2: Disconnecting Control Cable From Shift Lever
  Courtesy of MAZDA MOTORS CORP.
8. Disconnect the control cable end (shift side) from shift lever as shown in the figure.
  
  Fig 3: Disconnecting Control Cable End From Shift Lever (Shift Side)
  Courtesy of MAZDA MOTORS CORP.
9. Disconnect the control cable end (select side) from the shift lever using the following procedure:
  
  Fig 4: Disconnecting Control Cable End From Shift Lever (Select Side)
  Courtesy of MAZDA MOTORS CORP.
  1. Press down the safety lock in the direction shown in the figure.
  2. Push out the lock piece in the direction shown in the figure.
  3. Disconnect the control cable end (select side) from the shift lever.
10. Disconnect the connector from shift lever as shown in the figure.
  
  Fig 5: Disconnecting Shift Lever Connector
  Courtesy of MAZDA MOTORS CORP.
11. Remove the shift lever.
Fig 6: Removing Shift Lever
Courtesy of MAZDA MOTORS CORP.
Remove the control cable using the following procedure:
1. Remove the air cleaner and air hose as a single unit. (See INTAKE-AIR SYSTEM REMOVAL/INSTALLATION .)
2. Remove the battery tray and PCM component. (See BATTERY REMOVAL/INSTALLATION .)
3. Remove the control cable end from the MTX.
  
  Fig 7: Pulling Control Cable End Lock Pin
  Courtesy of MAZDA MOTORS CORP.
  1. Pull the lock pin in the direction of the arrow shown in the figure and release the control cable end (MTX side) lock.
  2. Remove the control cable end from the MTX.
4. Press the tabs on the control cable and disconnect the control cable from the bracket.
  
  Fig 8: Disconnecting Control Cable From Bracket
  Courtesy of MAZDA MOTORS CORP.
5. Remove the fastening nut for the control cable.
  
  Fig 9: Removing Control Cable Fastening Nut
  Courtesy of MAZDA MOTORS CORP.
6. Remove the fastening nuts for the grommet.
  
  Fig 10: Removing Grommet Fastening Nuts
  Courtesy of MAZDA MOTORS CORP.
7. Remove the control cable.
Fig 11: Removing Control Cable
Courtesy of MAZDA MOTORS CORP.
Make sure that the shift lever (transaxle side) is in neutral position.