Air Dist Unit Removal/Installation

WARNING:

Handling the driver-side air bag module improperly can accidentally operate (deploy) the air bag module, which may seriously injure you. Read the SRS air bag system service warnings and cautions before handling the air bag module. (See AIR BAG SYSTEM SERVICE WARNINGS [TWO-STEP DEPLOYMENT CONTROL SYSTEM - US/CANADA SPEC.] .) (See AIR BAG SYSTEM SERVICE CAUTIONS [TWO-STEP DEPLOYMENT CONTROL SYSTEM - US/CANADA SPEC.] .)

Open the convertible top.
Disconnect the negative battery terminal and wait for 1 min or more. (See NEGATIVE BATTERY TERMINAL DISCONNECTION/CONNECTION .)
Remove the following parts:
1. Selector lever knob (AT) (See AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION SHIFT MECHANISM REMOVAL/INSTALLATION .)
2. Shift lever knob (MT)
3. Shift panel component (See SHIFT PANEL REMOVAL/INSTALLATION .)
4. Upper panel (See UPPER PANEL REMOVAL/INSTALLATION .)
5. Parking brake lever boot panel (See PARKING BRAKE LEVER BOOT PANEL REMOVAL/INSTALLATION .)
6. Rear console (See REAR CONSOLE REMOVAL/INSTALLATION .)
7. Front console panel (See FRONT CONSOLE PANEL REMOVAL/INSTALLATION .)
8. Front console component (See FRONT CONSOLE REMOVAL/INSTALLATION .)
9. Scuff plate (See SCUFF PLATE REMOVAL/INSTALLATION .)
10. Front side trim (See FRONT SIDE TRIM REMOVAL/INSTALLATION .)
11. A-pillar trim (See A-PILLAR TRIM REMOVAL/INSTALLATION .)
12. Passenger-side lower panel (See PASSENGER-SIDE LOWER PANEL REMOVAL/INSTALLATION .)
13. Center panel No. 2 (See CENTER PANEL No. 2 REMOVAL/INSTALLATION .)
14. Driver-side air bag module (See DRIVER-SIDE AIR BAG MODULE REMOVAL [TWO-STEP DEPLOYMENT CONTROL SYSTEM - US/CANADA SPEC.] .) (See DRIVER-SIDE AIR BAG MODULE INSTALLATION [TWO-STEP DEPLOYMENT CONTROL SYSTEM - US/CANADA SPEC.] .)
15. Steering wheel (See STEERING WHEEL AND COLUMN REMOVAL/INSTALLATION .)
16. Upper column cover (See COLUMN COVER REMOVAL/INSTALLATION .)
17. Lower column cover (See COLUMN COVER REMOVAL/INSTALLATION .)
18. Wiper and washer switch (See WIPER AND WASHER SWITCH REMOVAL/INSTALLATION .)
19. Light switch (See LIGHT SWITCH REMOVAL/INSTALLATION .)
20. Clock spring (See CLOCK SPRING REMOVAL/INSTALLATION [TWO-STEP DEPLOYMENT CONTROL SYSTEM - US/CANADA SPEC.] .)
21. Meter hood (See METER HOOD REMOVAL/INSTALLATION .)
22. Instrument cluster (See INSTRUMENT CLUSTER REMOVAL/INSTALLATION .)
23. Hood release lever (See HOOD RELEASE LEVER AND RELEASE CABLE REMOVAL/INSTALLATION .)
24. Driver-side lower panel (See DRIVER-SIDE LOWER PANEL REMOVAL/INSTALLATION .)
25. Knee bolster (See KNEE BOLSTER REMOVAL/INSTALLATION .)
26. Center panel No. 1 (See CENTER PANEL No. 1 REMOVAL/INSTALLATION .)
27. Climate control unit (See CLIMATE CONTROL UNIT REMOVAL/INSTALLATION [FULL-AUTO AIR CONDITIONER] .) (See CLIMATE CONTROL UNIT REMOVAL/INSTALLATION [MANUAL AIR CONDITIONER] .)
28. Center display (See CENTER DISPLAY REMOVAL/INSTALLATION .)
29. Dashboard (See DASHBOARD REMOVAL .) (See DASHBOARD INSTALLATION .)
Remove the nuts.

Fig 1: Air Dist Unit Nuts With Torque Specification
Courtesy of MAZDA MOTORS CORP.
Remove the air dist unit.
Install in the reverse order of removal.