How to Take a Radio Out of a 2007 Mazda MX-5

Through the early and mid-1980s, the two-seat roadster all but disappeared from the U.S. In the 1990 model year, Mazda took advantage of this vacated niche market and launched the two-seat, convertible MX-5 Miata. In the 1999 model year, Mazda completely overhauled the Miata, eliminating the pop-up headlights, and giving the vehicle a more stout appearance. Mazda redesigned the Miata again, keeping the basic shape of the second generation, but giving it a modern look and oblong headlights. The 2007 MX-5 came standard with an AM/FM, CD-player stereo system. Replacing the radio in the Miata is an interesting task, as the audio unit -- radio -- is a separate unit from its controls.

Instructions

Grab the top part of the lower panel -- the panel on the bottom of the dashboard, just above your knees -- and pull it downward to disengage the retaining clips. Pivot the panel downward, and pull the tabs on the bottom of the lower panel from the slots in the dashboard. Remove the lower panel from the Miata.

Remove the four bolts holding the knee bolster -- the metal panel under where the lower panel was -- using a ratchet and socket. Remove the knee bolster from the MX-5.

Look on both sides of the control panel -- the panel that houses the radio and HVAC controls -- and notice each side has a triangular panel, these are the side panels. Insert the blade of a flat-head screwdriver between the side panel on the driver's side of the radio and the control panel. Pry the side panel away from the control panel to disengage its retaining clips and pins, and remove it from the vehicle. Repeat this step to remove the side panel on the passenger's side of the radio.

Look through where the side panel was, and find the installation bolt securing the rear of the radio to the dashboard bracket. Remove this bolt, using a ratchet, 6-inch extension and socket.

Remove the control-panel-retaining screws on both sides of the control panel. Pull the control panel toward the rear of the vehicle to disengage the retaining clips.

Slide the control panel from the dashboard, and unplug the 24-pin wiring harness from the rear of the radio. Pull the antenna wire from the rear of the radio. Unplug the wiring harness from the rear of the HVAC controls.

Remove the four screws -- two on each side -- from the audio unit. Pull the audio unit from the control panel; notice the audio unit is just a silver box, and the knobs remain attached to the control panel.

Position a new audio unit so the receptacle on the front of the unit matches up with the plug on the rear of the knobs on the control panel. Slide the audio unit into the control panel, until the screw holes in the audio unit line up with those on the control panel. Tighten the four audio unit-retaining screws with a Phillips screwdriver.

Plug the wiring harnesses into the rear of the audio unit and the HVAC controls. Plug the antenna cable into the antenna receptacle on the rear of the radio.

Slide the control panel back into the dashboard, lining up the clips on the rear of the control panel with the slots in the dashboard. Press the control panel onto the dashboard until the retaining clips snap into place. Tighten the two center-panel-retaining screws.

Hand-tighten the installation bolt to the rear of the radio, then tighten it to 5 to 7 foot-pounds, using a torque wrench, 6-inch extension and socket.

Line up the clips and pins on the rear of one side panel with the slots and holes on the control panel. Press the side panel toward the control panel to engage the retaining clips. Repeat this step to install the other side panel.

Set the knee bolster back into place under the dashboard, and hand-tighten its four retaining bolts. Tighten the four bolts with a ratchet and socket.

Insert the tabs on the lower panel into the slots on the underside of the dashboard, nearest the front of the Miata. Pivot the lower panel upward and press it onto the underside of the dashboard to engage its retaining clips.