How To: Remove Roof Rack (P5)

[ELEmental59437]

I used to work in tech support and they burned "we" words into my brain, so I use that word alot when giving instructions. (sorry, too lazy to retype)



http://www.mazdamp3.com/members/ELEmental59437/roof%20rack%20removal/DSCN1272.jpg
Start by removing the trim around the inside of the sun roof. Gently pull until you have seperated it from the car and follow it arround until you have it completly off.



http://www.mazdamp3.com/members/ELEmental59437/roof%20rack%20removal/DSCN1273.jpg
Remove the A pillars by pulling it towards the center of the windsheild and gradually towards the center of the vehicle. It is very easy to break the plastic clips that hold it to the car so be sure it is fully unclipped. Repeat this process for the passenger side A pillar.



http://www.mazdamp3.com/members/ELEmental59437/roof%20rack%20removal/DSCN1275.jpg
Next, the sun visors will need to be removed. There are two screws on one side and one on the opposite side.



http://www.mazdamp3.com/members/ELEmental59437/roof%20rack%20removal/DSCN1276.jpg
It will be easier to start with the two screws on the hinge side, so we will remove these first.



http://www.mazdamp3.com/members/ELEmental59437/roof%20rack%20removal/DSCN1277.jpg
Next, we will unscrew the clip side and pull all the pieces down and unclip them.

[ELEmental59437]

http://www.mazdamp3.com/members/ELEmental59437/roof%20rack%20removal/DSCN1278.jpg
Next we will need to pull the metal tabs from the moon roof area off of the metal frame for the window. Simply pull the metal bracket towards you and down.



http://www.mazdamp3.com/members/ELEmental59437/roof%20rack%20removal/DSCN1280.jpg
Another picture of the metal bracket that needs to be disattached from the metal frame of the moon roof.



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Next we will need to remove all four door sills. Gently pry these upward from the floor to unsnap them.



http://www.mazdamp3.com/members/ELEmental59437/roof%20rack%20removal/DSCN1282.jpg
The rear sills have two clips each, unsnap them the same way.



http://www.mazdamp3.com/members/ELEmental59437/roof%20rack%20removal/DSCN1283.jpg
After removing the door sils, we will need to take off the middle pillar by prying one side up (as shown in the picture) and pulling the whole piece up.

[ELEmental59437]

http://www.mazdamp3.com/members/ELEmental59437/roof%20rack%20removal/DSCN1284.jpg
This is what it will look like with the panel off.



http://www.mazdamp3.com/members/ELEmental59437/roof%20rack%20removal/DSCN1285.jpg
We will need to remove this plastic piece aswell, but there are a few steps involved.



http://www.mazdamp3.com/members/ELEmental59437/roof%20rack%20removal/DSCN1286.jpg
First, we need to unsnap this piece by pulling the top part off and removing it.



http://www.mazdamp3.com/members/ELEmental59437/roof%20rack%20removal/DSCN1287.jpg
Next we will need to remove the seatbelt bolt with a rachet.



http://www.mazdamp3.com/members/ELEmental59437/roof%20rack%20removal/DSCN1290.jpg
A picture of the seatbelt bolt and plastic removed.

[ELEmental59437]

http://www.mazdamp3.com/members/ELEmental59437/roof%20rack%20removal/DSCN1291.jpg
Once everything else is removed, we can unsnap the grey plastic piece and put it aside.



http://www.mazdamp3.com/members/ELEmental59437/roof%20rack%20removal/DSCN1292.jpg
Along the roof in the rear are three clips that are holding the roof in place back there. Pull the middle of the clip outward to unclip it from the roof and then pull the whole thing out.



http://www.mazdamp3.com/members/ELEmental59437/roof%20rack%20removal/DSCN1319.jpg
Each of the three hand bars (a.k.a "oh shit bars") has two rubber trim pieces that easily pry out to reveal a screw on each side.



http://www.mazdamp3.com/members/ELEmental59437/roof%20rack%20removal/DSCN1320.jpg
Simply unscrew both screws and remove the whole piece and put them aside. Be sure you dont misplace the rubber pieces we took out to get to the screws.



http://www.mazdamp3.com/members/ELEmental59437/roof%20rack%20removal/DSCN1293.jpg
Next we will need to pry out the top part of the grey trim in the back. There will be a few clips, and we dont need to fully remove the piece, only the top.

[ELEmental59437]

http://www.mazdamp3.com/members/ELEmental59437/roof%20rack%20removal/DSCN1294.jpg
Then we will need to unscrew the dome light, there are two screws and the whole unit comes out.



http://www.mazdamp3.com/members/ELEmental59437/roof%20rack%20removal/DSCN1295.jpg
Once the dome light is removed there is one single clip holding the middle of the roof in place. Remove this the same way we removed the ones along the back by pulling the middle part of the clip out first, then the rest of it.



http://www.mazdamp3.com/members/ELEmental59437/roof%20rack%20removal/DSCN1297.jpg
The map lights in the front of the car are held in with a metal clip on each side. You may need to open the moon roof and pull some of the roof down to be able to see each clip. I used a screwdriver to push the sides down through the gap I was able to look into between the moon roof and the cloth roof.



http://www.mazdamp3.com/members/ELEmental59437/roof%20rack%20removal/DSCN1298.jpg
Once the map lights are discconected, you can turn it at an angle and put it through the hole and leave it there attached. The next step may require a second set of hands, because we will need to pull the whole roof out from inside the car. It should slide out pretty easily if there is someone feeding it through the rear hatch.



http://www.mazdamp3.com/members/ELEmental59437/roof%20rack%20removal/DSCN1299.jpg
Now the moment you have been waiting for. Along the inside of the roof there will be four evenly spaced nuts on each side that will need to be unscrewed from the black pieces that run along the roof of the car. There are two more nuts that are within two inches of each other that will need to stay tightened as they are not a part of the roof rack.

[ELEmental59437]

http://www.mazdamp3.com/members/ELEmental59437/roof%20rack%20removal/DSCN1300.jpg
Another angle of one of the nuts.



http://www.mazdamp3.com/members/ELEmental59437/roof%20rack%20removal/DSCN1301.jpg
Once all four nuts are removed from each side, you can pull the roof rack off and fill the holes with something to keep the water out. I took eight nuts, bolts, and rubber washers and tightened them down in the places the roof rack was attached to seal the holes left.



http://www.mazdamp3.com/members/ELEmental59437/roof%20rack%20removal/DSCN1321.jpg
Once all is done and the holes are sealed, you will have a roof rack-less Protege5. Even without the plastic filler strips (they have not arrived yet) the car looks sharp.

[y0sky]

Those handles are called "OH Shit Bars", LOL. Very nice How too Bro.

[L8R]

holy shit is right. nice write up with a nice selection of detailed pictures. good job! - chris

[Ryan]

dayumn have to take the full car apart jsut to get the rack off, screw all that buy a 03 w/o roof rack to save the trouble LOL. :)

[ELEmental59437]

Originally posted by y0sky
Those handles are called "OH Shit Bars", LOL. Very nice How too Bro.

TOO FUNNY, thats what my friends call it.. I fixed it in the post..

My same friends neon isnt equiped with any oh shit bars.. or rear power windows... now thats just cheap.. j/k

[Carl]

This is very detailed, yet succinct. The "pro" in Protege5 stands for project. Thank you ELEmental59437.

[ELEmental59437]

Is it bad that I had to look up the meaning to succinct? Oh well, thanks guys. I felt the need to contribute to the site for all the info I have gotten here. I would like to thank the academy, and all the people I had to step on to get here.;)

[SilverProtege5]

Do you have a part number for the filler strips that go on the top of the car?

[Doogs]

omg.... looks like my roof-rack will NEVER be removed!

Nice write-up though :)

[ELEmental59437]

Originally posted by SilverProtege5
Do you have a part number for the filler strips that go on the top of the car?


The replacement part numbers are BJ3D-50-9H0D and BJ3D-50-9LOE. I didnt order these as they are hella expensive, instead I traded my roof rack for the parts off a Canadian P5. I paid for shipping my parts and he paid for shipping his and it was an even trade. He had to drill a few holes but I hear everything went well with his install.

[Mazdaspeed6S]

Great write-up! Very informative with awesome pics... (2thumbs)

[kidkorrupt]

whoa, thanks.

very interesting how-top.

not just for the racks but also for dismantling the interior =D

[GOTZOOM?]

I ordered the filler stips from Mazda today. Total was $156. Not bad for making it look way better.

[nobody]

any ideal about how long the whole process takes?????

[ELEmental59437]

Taking everything off is a good 30-45 minutes. Putting it all back on is a bit quicker. A canadian P5 can add the roof rack with drilling a few holes without much trouble. (the guy I traded is done installing)

[EVADE]

this should of been posted earlier, i messed up on my car and thought it would come off by just riping it off and i made 4 fuckin dents on my roof! well its good that this is posted for others to not make mistakes like me!

thanks for posting! Efren

[ELEmental59437]

ouch... just for that.. lemme give you a hint for the future... dont rip things off your car... period....

[GOTZOOM?]

OK, got my fillers. Anyone know how the go on. There are no clips with the fillers, and the Mazda parts guy said he couldn't see any clips on his 'puter. Maybe I should just wait to see what it looks like when the rack is removed.

[ELEmental59437]

I traded mine with a canadian so I got the clips from him. You should have two clips already on the car buy you will need 6 more. I am not sure of the part numbers on them though.

[GOTZOOM?]

Stupid ass Mazda Parts guy. I knew I should have came around the counter and took a look at the computer myself. Dammit, I wanted to get these on this weekend.

ELEmental, can you take a pick of the clips if you get a chance.

[ELEmental59437]

When you take off your roof rack at the front of the car you will see one. the rest are exactly like that. I am sure you can rig up another way of attaching it to the car with keeping only the first clip on each side. I will look for a pic.

[ELEmental59437]

heres your clips. These are the one that he sent me (thats why they are red)

[Korey Chaos]

Thanks for the very detailed class on how to remove the ugly-ass roof rack. When u said the replacement seals were 'hella expensive" how much are we talking because just leaving those 2 black strips on top of the roof makes the car just look like its half-way clean!

[ELEmental59437]

Something around $160 for a set from mazda. Too much if you ask me.

[GOTZOOM?]

I paid $156 for the strips, and $10 for the clips. Good investment if you ask me.

[ELEmental59437]

I paid 40 for shipping for used strips shipped from Canada, better than $166 for it brand new.

[RX7jeff]

Very nice write up,...thanks,...I am trading my Canadian "fill strips" for the "BigAss" USA strips/rack with a forum member and this should help us both out.

[ELEmental59437]

Originally posted by RX7jeff
Very nice write up,...thanks,...I am trading my Canadian "fill strips" for the "BigAss" USA strips/rack with a forum member and this should help us both out.

THANKS!! .. nice to see I can actually contribute around here.. lol

[Matthew]

ahmad, got my cf strips in from DGM today. how long did the whole process take you?

[Matthew]

also got my neons

[enigM@]

Originally posted by Matthew
ahmad, got my cf strips in from DGM today. how long did the whole process take you?

do they still have em for sale ?

[ELEmental59437]

SWEEET!!!.. the removal takes abt 20 min-25 min... putting it all back together is faster because its all memory.. make sure you have someone help with taking the roof fabric thing off, it tends to want to bend.

[Matthew]

Originally posted by ELEmental59437
SWEEET!!!.. the removal takes abt 20 min-25 min... putting it all back together is faster because its all memory.. make sure you have someone help with taking the roof fabric thing off, it tends to want to bend.

any chance of helping me with it on saturday morning when we do my neons?

do they still have em for sale ?

no it was a one time thing for me. the only other p5 with em is their show car. they wont make anymore for some reason. they said the mold is too much of a pain to make.

[ELEmental59437]

Originally posted by Matthew
any chance of helping me with it on saturday morning when we do my neons?

hey I didnt see this until just now.. you already went off to go start it.. I will help you saturday morning if you want.. It will be fun.

[Yaegs4life]

Do think theres a way of just cutting the blots from the outside of the car? Or would teh blots be got off and left rattleing in the roof?

[ELEmental59437]

Originally posted by Yaegs4life
Do think theres a way of just cutting the blots from the outside of the car? Or would teh blots be got off and left rattleing in the roof?

umm.. dont do this.. not only will it not work, it will scratch up your car in the process. I dont remember the bolts being visible, they are built into the main roof rack side pieces.

[Yaegs4life]

Thanx man.

[RX7jeff]

I just finished installing the "Big"U.S. version strips onto my Canadian MP5. Now I have somewhere to tie the Dogsled to.

I traded my stock "Flush style"Canadian strips straight across for the U.S. version stuff with another board member,...it all went very smooth,...thanks again for this detailed "how-to" thread.

I would like to add this,...there are 5 "clips" glued into the bottom of EACH roof rail?troughthingy on the CanadianMP5,...you must remove the back 4 clips on each side to make room for the U.S. style strips, mine came off unbroken by using a thin edged straight screwdriver and a couple of gentle taps with a hammer,...LEAVE the front two clips(one on each side) in both the U.S. and Canadian cars.
I removed the 4 "roof rack mounting brackets"(2 10mm nuts each), and sent the whole collection to my U.S. friend.
Altogether I sent the 2 strips, 4 brackets/8 bolts, and 8 plastic clips along with the measurements of where my clips where installed in the roof troughs.
On my install I had to drill 3 holes in each roof trough to accept the U.S. parts,...my U.S. friend will have to glue(I would think that epoxy would work well) the clips into position.
I duck taped over the extra holes in my Canadain MP5's roof troughs.

NOTE: If you never intend to use the "aftermarket" Mazda roofrack that us Canucks are supposed to buy(?!)(read:expensive?!) then you do not have to install the 4 roof rack brackets that are hidden under plastic covers on the Canadian roof strips,...
In other words you can just cover the holes in your U.S. MP5's roof and reinstall your headliner/interior,....when your Canadian fill strips come you can just glue the clips into place and when dry clip on the strips,...this can save you the work of disassembling/reassembling your U.S.MP5's interior twice.

If the above is true I can make this helpful suggestion. If the "Yank" removes his/her peices first and sends them to the "Canuck" who then removes his/her stuff then sends it to the U.S. partner then BOTH parties only have to disassemble/reassemble their interiors once,...(remember,...the "Canuck"has to unbolt the 4brackets to allow the U.S. rack pecies to fit.)

[loccusst]

I also have a suggestion. Since you are ripping the majority of the inside out of the car, now would be a good time to run any wires for stereo connections or any sound deadening material. It looks like there is no sound deadening material from the factory under any of this plastic interior and thats why there is so much noise while driving these cars.

[DeadGeneration]

Part numbers for the clips are G1YS-50-629B that goes along with the roof moldings part numbers posted earlier in this thread. You need a total of 10, however the roof rack you have already comes with 2, so you only need 8 more. I ordered all 10 just in case. $1.65 a piece.

[QuickShift]

Just thought i'd say that I followed the how to on taking of my rack this afternoon. Everything went great. That panel below the seat belt bolt was a bit of a bitch, though. Thanks for the great write up!

[nealric]

Just curious, if you dont have a moonroof, is it still necessary to take the interior apart like that?

Im thinking about taking mine off just for summer.

[RX7jeff]

Just curious, if you dont have a moonroof, is it still necessary to take the interior apart like that?

Im thinking about taking mine off just for summer.

?,...what are you going to take off for just the summer,?, clarification please. This thread has evolved into a how-to on removing the US version roof rack and replacing it with the Canadian version roof fill strips(which fit flush to the roof surface).

You can remove the US style cross bars and install(they snap right in) the four plastic fill strips to cover the holes in the US style roof strips. If you bought your car used you may not have got them?!.

[musiclikscreams]

anyone got pics w/ the fillers in? wanna see how they look. nice writeup btw. cant wait for a day off

[CyberFormula]

Looks like a lot of work just to remove the roof rack. Maybe I should just Dynamat the whole car at the same time to save me some work. Very informative post, thanks.

[musiclikscreams]

to put the filler rails on, do you have to get rid of the bolts you used to fill in the holes? that just came to my attention and its gonna really suck if i have to.

[ELEmental59437]

to put the filler rails on, do you have to get rid of the bolts you used to fill in the holes? that just came to my attention and its gonna really suck if i have to.

No you dont.

Sorry - havent been around here lately.. buying another P5 though.

[RX7jeff]

to put the filler rails on, do you have to get rid of the bolts you used to fill in the holes? that just came to my attention and its gonna really suck if i have to.

IMO I don't know how bolts will fit under the strips,...you just TAPE over the holes, use a quality tape, being under the strips it will never see the sun.

[ELEmental59437]

(boom03)

[musiclikscreams]

i wanna see a pic w/ these fillers in

[Demoniam]

OK. I've decided to do this. What should I do to keep the rain out, while I wait for my filler strips to show? I thought about doing the bolt/washer thing, but then I would have to remove them again when the filler strips shows up, right?? Just need to make sure that it is watertight/windproof for a week or so...

[ELEmental59437]

No you can use the bolt and nut with some silicon, or just silicon alone and keep either on there when the filler strips come in. You need to seal it even after the strips are installed because they are not weather proof.

The bolts can stay in long term as long as they are not uber long

[Demoniam]

cool!

you dont remember any size/length of the filler bolts by chance.

[CTt3P5]

Nice write-up. Just printed out the instructions and hope to do the swap this weekend.

[FoxPro5]

Thanks much for the pics and the write up. I helped a lot. :)

I'd love a set of the filler strips, but I'd also not like to bend over without a jar of Vaseline. :rolleyes:

[mr.sheep]

Do you have a part number for the filler strips that go on the top of the car?
I just purchased the parts from, http://www.onlinemazdaparts.com ,
You need both right and left part numbers and order 10 clips...
right is: BJ3D509H0E
left is: BJ3D509L0E
clips is: G1YS50629B

The total with shipping: $140.88