Anybody know how to remove the switch panel

[TheProfessor]

Is there a trick to removing the switch panel on the left side of the steering wheel? Since there are three empty spaces there I want to use one to mount the bass control knob for my amp, but it doesn\'t seem to want to come off without some serious force, and I don\'t want to break anything. Any help would be much appreciated:)

[MazdaTree]

pull from the top and use some serious force:)

[TheProfessor]

From the top.....am I supposed to get my fat fingers in there:p

[bubba1983]

screwdriver, and a lil love tap to pop it out/

[TheProfessor]

Now will that remove just one of teh blank panels or the whole assembly? I\'m worried about scratching it with a screwdriver also.

[MazdaTree]

if ur scared to do it with a screw driver use to fingers thats what i did and jus pull slowly

[whodilly]

Yo dude don\'t use force! You actually have to remove the whole panel. It\'s actually alot to remove before you can take out the option blanks. Do you have the service manual cd? It shows the steps to take out the panel.

2. Detach the bonnet release lever from the lower panel. (SeeBONNET LATCH AND RELEASE LEVER REMOVAL/INSTALLATION [L.H.D.].) (SeeBONNET LATCH AND RELEASE LEVER REMOVAL/INSTALLATION [R.H.D.].)

3. Remove the front scuff plate. (Driver\'s side) (SeeFRONT SCUFF PLATE REMOVAL/INSTALLATION.)

4. Remove the front side trim. (Driver\'s side) (SeeFRONT SIDE TRIM REMOVAL/INSTALLATION.)

5. Remove the screw.

6. Pull the lower panel outward, and detach clips A and tab.

7. Disconnect the panel light control switch connector and the headlight leveling switch connector.

8. Remove the lower panel.

9. Install in the reverse order of removal.

lower panel. http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y86/whodilly/panelremoval.jpg

BONNET LATCH AND RELEASE LEVER REMOVAL/INSTALLATION [L.H.D.]
1. Pull the lever.

2. While pushing the tab in the direction of the arrow using a tape-wrapped, small flathead screwdriver, detach it from the lower panel.

Caution

• Remove the bonnet release lever while taking care not to damage the bonnet release cable with the flathead screwdriver.

3. Under the condition in Step 2, pull the bonnet release lever outward, then remove it from the lower panel.

http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y86/whodilly/bonnetremoval.jpg

FRONT SCUFF PLATE REMOVAL/INSTALLATION
1. Pull the front scuff plate upward, detach clips A, locator pins B and C from the body, and then remove the front scuff plate.

2. Install in the reverse order of removal.
http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y86/whodilly/scuffplate.jpg

FRONT SIDE TRIM REMOVAL/INSTALLATION
1. Remove the front scuff plate. (See FRONT SCUFF PLATE REMOVAL/INSTALLATION.)

2. Remove the fastener.

3. Pull the front side trim in the direction of the arrow and detach clip A and locator pin B.

4. Install in the reverse order of removal.
http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y86/whodilly/fronttrim.jpg

Hope this helps! I know it\'s a PITA for such a small thing but if you force it you risk breaking something and or scratching the $h!7 out of the panel.

[Whos ur dadd]

F\' that. Use the screwdriver method. A couple of tabs may crack, but when you pop the blanks back in, you won\'t notice them. The cracked tabs also really don\'t affect the performance (ie. they will stay in place). I removed all of them for a garage door opener mod - I was relunctant at first because they wouldn\'t come off, but use the MazdaTree recommendation (some force) and it\'ll pop out.

[TheProfessor]

Whodilly, thanks so much for that. Not sure which route I\'m gonna go......Jeff from Lockdown said that he can install the thing for me, so I might just go and have him do it.