That is, *without* breaking anything? :P

 

Jumpy, not absolutely sure what you mean by "gauge surround." If you mean the instrument cluster you will have to take off the stering wheel and cowling. The surround will not come off unless both are removed. If you try chances are you will break the surround. Next you simply pull out the ***** (tiny screw driver might help). Next there are three screws on the top of the surround and three on the bottom. Bingo she's loose. Be careful cuz you will have to disconnect the electricals and not much play in them.

Be very careful how you remove/tighten the wiper and light assemblies. The screws go into small plastic recievers and break with anything other than TLC.

Hope that what's you are asking about.. Jerry

 

If you take a look at the FSM, you'll notice that the actual ***** are not screwed onto their switches, they are just pushed on. You will need to take a small screwdriver, and just pry them off their small axle.

If you dont want to break anything, you should take it slowly and easy....

After numerous times, I can do this with my eyes closed in under 5 minutes ...seriously

 

Exactly. Just look carefully at them and and it's easy to see how to re-install them afterward.

However, the turn signal and cruise handles ARE held on with tiny screws. But, not necessary to take these off just to pull the Surround.

BTW, if you don't have tilt steering to drop it a bit, then you'll want to remove the cover behind the steering wheel before taking off the surround. Otherwise, you'll have to "massage" it a bit to get it off. I recommend against the massage approach because the plastic on the Surround gets really brittle after years of being baked by the sun.

 

Here are some pics




These are what break off /are already broken get out your super glue.epoxy

 

Those little plastic BITCHES

I dont even WANT TO THINK WHAT MAZDA WAS THINKING WHEN DESIGNING THESE

 

after taking off the column surrond it is different for diferent years. early is easer. later top pops off, two tapping sctesw and one machine just off center.

If you have the column mounted wands it is best to remove them.

Take screw out and lift wand assemble out/off.



Turn wheel 180/upside down gives more room.

Use small screw driver to disconnect plugs.

https://www.rx7club.com/forum/showth...threadid=99496

see this post:

 

I see. I actually already have the gauge cluster disconnected from the car *holds up gauge cluster* So I seriously just pull at them, huh? Thanks a lot, I'll post again when I got them off. Even the buttons pop off?

 

All of them. They just *click* in place....

 

Here is my fix for the bottom screws.

 

Now why didn't I think of that fix, (slaps forhead!).
Finally a tech thread that is helpful, not some bashing or bitching as is normal.
Thanks for all the help and insight to everyone!
Ralf

 

SureShot, Great idea, thanks