Hello all,

In pursuit of roof rails that are both attractive enough and work, I am investigating placing a set of Ford Edge rails on the Mazda 5. As I want a solid attachment, etc, it is going to take some engineering and understanding of the underlying structure.

As a first part in doing this, I would like to temporarily remove the dark grey plastic strips that bridge the weld joints on the roof (not the plastic caps over the factory bolt places, the entire plastic strip).

Does anyone actually KNOW how these can be removed and replaced? I could guess, but... don't want to get in a situation where I have broken something which is even hard to order as it is not a "normal" part. Does it slide off one end, up pop up, or... you get the idea...

Thanks,
Chuck

 

Is this any good, Chuck?

ROOF MOLDING REMOVAL/INSTALLATION

1. Disconnect the negative battery cable.
2. Partially peel back the seaming welt.
3. Remove the following parts:
(1) Roof rail. (vehicles with roof rail) (See09–16–9 ROOF RAIL REMOVAL/INSTALLATION.)
(2) A-pillar trim (See 09–17–15 A-PILLAR TRIM REMOVAL/INSTALLATION.)
(3) Front scuff plate inner (See 09–17–19 FRONT SCUFF PLATE REMOVAL/INSTALLATION.)
(4) Rear scuff plate (See 09–17–19 REAR SCUFF PLATE REMOVAL/INSTALLATION.)
(5) B-pillar lower trim (See 09–17–16 B-PILLAR LOWER TRIM REMOVAL/INSTALLATION.)
(6) Front seat belt upper anchor installation bolt (See 08–11–1 FRONT SEAT BELT REMOVAL/
INSTALLATION.)
(7) B-pillar upper trim (See 09–17–16 B-PILLAR UPPER TRIM REMOVAL/INSTALLATION.)
(8) Rear package tray lid (See 09–17–20 REAR PACKAGE TRAY LID REMOVAL/INSTALLATION.)
(9) Sub-trunk
(10)Third-row seat (See 09–13–8 THIRD-ROW SEAT REMOVAL/INSTALLATION.)
(11)Rear header trim (See 09–17–20 REAR HEADER TRIM REMOVAL/INSTALLATION.)
(12)Trunk end trim (See 09–17–20 TRUNK END TRIM REMOVAL/INSTALLATION.)
(13)Third-row seat belt lower anchor installation bolt (See 08–11–5 THIRD-ROW SEAT BELT REMOVAL/
INSTALLATION.)
(14)Trunk side trim (See 09–17–19 TRUNK SIDE TRIM REMOVAL/INSTALLATION.)
(15)Second-row seat belt upper anchor installation bolt (See 08–11–3 SECOND-ROW SEAT BELT REMOVAL/
INSTALLATION.)
(16)C-pillar trim (See 09–17–17 C-PILLAR TRIM REMOVAL/INSTALLATION.)
(17)Rear entertainment system (RES) unit cover (vehicles with RES) (See09–20–25 RES UNIT REMOVAL/
INSTALLATION.)
(18)Map light (See 09–18–24 MAP LIGHT REMOVAL/INSTALLATION.)
(19)Assist handle (See 09–17–21 ASSIST HANDLE REMOVAL/INSTALLATION.)
(20)Sunvisor (See 09–17–21 SUNVISOR REMOVAL/INSTALLATION.)
(21)Headliner (See 09–17–22 HEADLINER REMOVAL/INSTALLATION.)
(22)Shock-absorbing pad (See 09–17–22 SHOCK ABSORBING PAD REMOVAL/INSTALLATION.)
(23)Roof rail (vehicles with roof rail) (See09–16–9 ROOF RAIL REMOVAL/INSTALLATION)
4. Remove the nuts.
Note
• Remove the curtain air bag installation bolt (if equipped), position the curtain air bag out of the away, and
then remove the roof molding installation nut.
5. Remove the roof molding.
6. Install in the reverse order of removal.

 

Interesting, and thanks for the help! This sounds more like a headliner removal - but... a good start. My fear - do they mean to remove the "roof molding installation nut"(step 4. you need to remove the headliner?

In short, I wonder what they are calling the Roof molding (and what they are calling the "seaming welt")

You may be able to tell from the context where you found this what:
a) the "seaming welt" is, in step 2. Is this the black strip I want to remove?

also, is there anything interesting in section 9-16-9 ROOF RAIL REMOVAL?

It is the black strip I am trying to remove without breaking.

-Chuck

 

I did find this thread from a M3, wondering if it is pretty similar:

http://www.mazdaspeedforums.org/foru...ack-use-53600/

 

Hi Chuck,
"Seaming welt" is the term Mazda uses for the rubber seal around the door opening. It cerainly looks like these mouldings are bolted from inside the car unlike on the 3.

Hope this helps. Mozart.

 

Did you got it how to replace the roof plastic strips ?