Re insert gap filler between head unit in NA6

[bensale]

The little peice that filled the gap between my head unit fell out behind the dash.... After an hour of so of 'fishing' and grazed knuckles I finally got it out
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Now I need to re-insert it in this gap
PIC:

To fit, it need to be glued in from behind the dash other wise it sits like this (ugly...)
PIC:

I cant remove the little black cover below the gap as it is screwed in place and I dont want to force it out breaking it (I think I may have already done so on one side)......

Has anyone ever done sonething like this or found a better solution? I'm looking that either i'll have to tie some fishing wire or similar to the plastic peice, therefore not loosing it again and having some control. Get it inside the dash, put the glue behind the dash and pull it into place.

I cant get the head unit off as I dont have the removal tool. Anyway the previous installer (who didnt clean the surface properly resulting in the glue not holding) glued the piece to the bottom of the head unit, so I probebly need the radio in to install.

Otherwise should I just take the dash out, I found a page detailing how to do it, I just don't really want to. It looks excessive for putting a small peice of plastic in and I dont want to remove my eyeball vents as they don't droop and i'm worried about breaking them.

Also I've seen a one peice 'cubby hole' that fits in the gap in some MX'5's. Are these available, and are they generic or MX5 specific.

Thanks for your help, any advice or opinion is welcome.

Cheers,

Ben,

[Ajay]

hey mate

im not sure if you are aware already.. but there are a couple of options to fix the 'gappage' problems in the MX5

is your car pre 94?.. i would think it is because of the gap in the first place
a simple solution is the chubby box for pre 94 fascia which is a cubby box just a bit bigger than a din size
http://www.mx5parts.co.uk/product_info. ... cts_id/119

or an even easier solution is to call up Mx5Mania and get a 94+ fascia ($88 i think ) and it is a Double Din unit.. you can also get a MAZDA cubby pocket for below and it is a PERFECT fit..


(note: that isnt the mazda cubby underneath its just a generic one)

[timk]

The Mazda cubby is only $8 by the way...

[Garry]

And it's a post 96.5 facia that you are after. Thats the year that Mazda went to a single DIN head unit with a single DIN cubby.

Easiest way to reattach the filler piece you already have is to remove the current facia and stick the filler back on from behind like it was probably originally mounted.

You will need to remove the console (around the gear change - 5 screws) then remove the 2 centre air vents. You will find 2 screws up where the air vents were and another one that was previously hidden by the console. Remove them and then pull the facia out towards the rear of the car. It's held on by a few clips on the sides. But be careful as the plastic is probably sun affected and brittle now. You'll then be able to work out how to reattach the filler piece or replace the facia with the newer model.

[bensale]

Thanks for the responses.

I don't think i will upgrade the facia, seems a bit expensive to fix a small gap, so maybe a last option that I know will fix my problem if all else fails.

That cubby hole you linked TP13SS is perfect, if thats the one I can get for $8 i'll buy one. But i'm assuming saboteur is refering to the cubby for the late facia. Let me know please. If its for the early one where can I buy it as I dont really want to buy the one on mx5parts. It is very exxy, AUD $40 not including shipping etc... But it is cheaper than a new facia...

Thanks for the dash revoval advice Garry, I think i'll give that a go, apart from removing the vents and pulling the dash out it doesnt sound too hard at all. I'll find that thread with the credit card vent removal technique and give it a go unless I can get a cheap cubby which is perfect.

Unless the $8 cubby option is for my dash I think i'll try the free solution first and try to stick my peice back in. If that doesnt work out i'll find the best supplier for a replacement facia.

As always thanks for the advice,

Ben,

[Juffa]

I got my cubby from a wrecker, it was out of a 121. Just ask for a 1 Din unit. Mine was free as I was buying a stack of stuff for my 5 and a 121 we had at the time.

J

[bensale]

Ok, I've decided to feplace the facia and get a 96.5+ one. I'll call up mania and a few other places to compare prices.

Those who have done this before, where did you buy yours from and what was the cost?

And I assume I have to remove the radio to change the facia? Then i'll need to buy a removal key too as I dont have one.

Thanks,

Ben

[Garry]

My NA came with one from the factory.

[PUR157]

And I assume I have to remove the radio to change the facia?

You shouldn't have to... My current and old radio were happy to sit there when I removed the column fascia... (if I am in fact answering the question I think is being asked)
You might need to relocate the radio abit so it sits properly in the recess but that only requires a phillips head

[bensale]

You shouldn't have to... My current and old radio were happy to sit there when I removed the column fascia... (if I am in fact answering the question I think is being asked)
You might need to relocate the radio abit so it sits properly in the recess but that only requires a phillips head

Awesome, that sounds great. I hope thats the case

Also thanks for the instructions Garry, they're great.

Ben