All vehicles

WARNING: This page is about a different car, the 2003 Mazda Tribute. However, it is still accessible from the selected car via links, so may be relevant.

Disconnect the battery ground cable. For additional information, refer to BATTERY DISCONNECT .

Fig 1: Removing Rear Transaxle Mount Nuts And Bolt
Courtesy of MAZDA MOTORS CORP.
Remove the rear transaxle mount nuts and bolt.

Fig 2: Supporting Engine
Courtesy of MAZDA MOTORS CORP.
Using the special tool, support the engine.
Remove the two front wheel and tire assemblies. For additional information, refer to WHEELS AND TIRES .
Remove the two engine air deflectors.

Fig 3: Removing Lower Control Arm Ball Joint Pinch Bolts And Nuts (One On Each Side)
Courtesy of MAZDA MOTORS CORP.
Remove the two lower control arm ball joint pinch bolts and nuts (one on each side).

Fig 4: Disconnecting Stabilizer Bar Link
Courtesy of MAZDA MOTORS CORP.
Disconnect the stabilizer bar link.
1. Remove the nuts.
2. Disconnect the link from the stabilizer bar.
  
  Fig 5: Removing Lateral Support Crossmember
  Courtesy of MAZDA MOTORS CORP.
Remove the lateral support crossmember.
1. Remove the bolts.
2. Remove the crossmember.
  
  Fig 6: Removing Front Transaxle Mount Bolt
  Courtesy of MAZDA MOTORS CORP.
Remove the front transaxle mount bolt.

Fig 7: Removing Engine Support Crossmember Bolts
Courtesy of MAZDA MOTORS CORP.
Remove the engine support crossmember bolts.

Fig 8: Removing Nut And Engine Support Crossmember
Courtesy of MAZDA MOTORS CORP.
Remove the nut and the engine support crossmember.

Fig 9: Removing Steering Gear Bolts
Courtesy of MAZDA MOTORS CORP.
Remove the two steering gear bolts.

Fig 10: Positioning Steering Gear Out Of Subframe Mounts
Courtesy of MAZDA MOTORS CORP.
Position the steering gear out of the subframe mounts.
Remove the dual converter Y-pipe on the 3.0L (4V) engine or the muffler inlet pipe on the 2.0L (Zetec) engine. For additional information, refer to CATALYTIC CONVERTER -- 3.0L DURATEC (4V) or MUFFLER AND TAILPIPE .
Vehicles With Manual Transaxle

Fig 11: Removing Bolts And Disconnecting Manual Transaxle Shift Linkage
Courtesy of MAZDA MOTORS CORP.
Remove the two bolts and disconnect the manual transaxle shift linkage.
Vehicles With 4WD
Remove the driveshaft. For additional information, refer to DRIVE SHAFT .
NOTE:
- Lower the rear of the engine to allow the subframe to clear the companion flange on the power take off (PTO) unit.
Lower the rear of the engine approximately 150 mm (6 in).
All Vehicles

Fig 12: Loosening Front Subframe Bolts
Courtesy of MAZDA MOTORS CORP.
CAUTION:
- Do not allow the rear subframe bolts to come out of the lower control arm bushing.
Completely loosen the two front subframe bolts, but do not remove them.

Fig 13: Removing Subframe Nuts Lower Subframe From Vehicle
Courtesy of MAZDA MOTORS CORP.
NOTE:
- The lower control arm ball joints must be disconnected from the spindles at the same time the subframe is lowered.
With an assistant, remove the two subframe nuts lower the subframe from the vehicle.
Transfer all necessary components.
To install, reverse the removal procedure.