Manual Transaxle Shift Mechanism Removal/Installation

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/INSTALLATION .)
2. Remove the shift lever knob.
3. Remove the shift panel. (See SHIFT PANEL REMOVAL/INSTALLATION .)
4. Remove the side wall. (See SIDE WALL REMOVAL/INSTALLATION .)
5. Remove the rear console. (See REAR CONSOLE REMOVAL/INSTALLATION .)
  
  Fig 1: Removing Shift Lever
  Courtesy of MAZDA MOTORS CORP.
6. Press the tabs on the control cable as shown in the figure and disconnect the shift lever from the control cable.
  
  Fig 2: Disconnecting Shift Lever From Control Cable
  Courtesy of MAZDA MOTORS CORP.
7. Disconnect the control cable end from shift lever as shown in the figure.
  
  Fig 3: Control Cable End With Torque Specifications
  Courtesy of MAZDA MOTORS CORP.
8. Disconnect the connector from shift lever as shown in the figure.
  
  Fig 4: Identifying Connector And Shift Lever
  Courtesy of MAZDA MOTORS CORP.
9. Remove the shift lever.
  
  Fig 5: Shift Lever With Torque Specifications
  Courtesy of MAZDA MOTORS CORP.
Remove the control cable using the following procedure:
1. Remove the air cleaner component (air cleaner, air hose). (See INTAKE-AIR SYSTEM REMOVAL/INSTALLATION .)
2. Remove the battery component (battery, battery tray and PCM component). (See BATTERY REMOVAL/INSTALLATION .)
3. Remove the control cable end from the manual transaxle.
  1. Pull the lock pin in the direction of the arrow shown in the figure and release the control cable end (manual transaxle side) lock.
  2. Remove the control cable end from the manual transaxle.
    
    Fig 6: Removing Control Cable End From Manual Transaxle
    Courtesy of MAZDA MOTORS CORP.
4. Press the tabs on the control cable and disconnect the control cable from the bracket.
  
  Fig 7: Control Cable Bracket With Torque Specifications
  Courtesy of MAZDA MOTORS CORP.
5. Remove the fastening nut for the control cable.
  
  Fig 8: Fastening Nut For Control Cable With Torque Specifications
  Courtesy of MAZDA MOTORS CORP.
6. Remove the fastening nuts for the grommet.
  
  Fig 9: Identifying Grommet Fastening Nuts
  Courtesy of MAZDA MOTORS CORP.
7. Remove the control cable.
Install in the reverse order of removal.

Fig 10: Removing Control Cable
Courtesy of MAZDA MOTORS CORP.