
Replacing the fuel door release cable on a Miata is a complex process that requires removing several components to access the cable. This includes the rear fender liner, side vent, driver's seat, door scuff liner, vertical molding, cubby door, and side panel inside the cubby. Once these parts are removed, the cable can be located and replaced. It is important to note that the cable should be fed up to behind the hole, and a retaining ring should be placed over the end to secure it.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Step 1 | Remove most of the rear fender liner, leaving two or three fasteners at the very back. You need enough room to get your hand on the back side of the cable at the door end. |
| Step 2 | Remove the side vent and pop off the little drain flap housing. These simply pop straight out, no unscrewing necessary. |
| Step 3 | Remove the driver's seat. Don't forget to unplug the weight sensor. Remove the door scuff liner and the vertical molding. Remove the cubby door and the side panel inside the cubby. |
| Step 4 | Locate the cable. |
| Step 5 | Set to work on the front end of the cable. To remove the plastic cover around the lock, pull the front edge forward and lift the front edge, then wiggle out the back hook. |
| Step 6 | With the retaining ring near the left hand in a place you can easily get it, and cable end in the right hand, feed the cable end up to behind the hole and put the retaining ring over the end. It helps here if you have plenty of slack on the cable. |
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What You'll Learn

Removing the rear fender liner
To replace the fuel door release cable on a Miata, you will need to remove the rear fender liner. This can be done by following these steps:
Firstly, remove most of the rear fender liner, leaving two or three fasteners at the very back. You will need enough room to get your hand behind the cable at the door end. Then, remove the side vent and the little drain flap housing. These simply pop straight out, with no unscrewing necessary. Next, remove the driver's seat, remembering to unplug the weight sensor. Remove the door scuff liner and the vertical moulding, followed by the cubby door and the side panel inside the cubby.
Now, locate the cable. With the retaining ring near your left hand, and the cable end in your right hand, feed the cable end up to behind the hole and put the retaining ring over the end. It is helpful to have plenty of slack on the cable at this point.
To remove the plastic cover around the lock, pull the front edge forward and lift it, then wiggle out the back hook. Finally, set to work on the front end of the cable. You will see it go a few inches, and then immediately pop through the wall into the side vent area.
It is worth noting that some users have reported issues with removing the inner fender liner screws, as they spin forever and are difficult to remove. To do this, press on the plastic washer with two fingers, as they screw into the washer and spread it. A small right-angle pick works great to pull the centre out. Alternatively, a small thin-bladed screwdriver or pocketknife blade can get it lifted enough to grab it with pliers (or fingernails) and pull it straight out.
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Removing the side vent
To remove the side vent, follow these steps:
- Locate the side vent in the area where the cable pops through the wall.
- Pop the side vent straight out. No unscrewing is necessary.
Once the side vent is removed, you will have access to the fuel door release cable. You can then begin to work on removing the plastic cover around the lock and wiggling out the back hook.
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Removing the driver's seat
To replace the fuel door release cable in a Miata, you will first need to remove the driver's seat. Here is a step-by-step guide:
First, you will need to remove the rear fender liner. Leave two or three fasteners at the very back to ensure the liner is secure. Next, remove the side vent. This can be done by simply popping it straight out – there is no need to unscrew anything. You will also need to remove the drain flap housing, which can be done in the same way as the side vent.
Now it is time to remove the driver's seat. Don't forget to unplug the weight sensor before you do this. Once the seat is removed, you will need to remove the door scuff liner and the vertical molding. This will give you access to the area behind the driver's seat.
Next, remove the cubby door and the side panel inside the cubby. This will expose the fuel door release cable. Make sure you locate the cable before proceeding. Once you have found the cable, you can begin to remove it. Start by removing the plastic cover around the lock. Pull the front edge forward and lift it, then wiggle out the back hook.
With the retaining ring in your left hand, and the cable end in your right hand, feed the cable end up to behind the hole and put the retaining ring over the end. It is helpful to have plenty of slack on the cable when doing this. And that's it! You have now successfully replaced the fuel door release cable in your Miata.
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Locating the cable
To locate the cable, you will need to remove the rear fender liner, leaving two or three fasteners at the very back. You will also need to remove the side vent, the driver's seat, the door scuff liner, the vertical moulding, the cubby door and the side panel inside the cubby. Once you have done this, you should be able to see the cable.
The cable will go a few inches and then pop through the wall into the side vent area. You will then need to work on the front end of the cable. To do this, pull the front edge forward and lift the front edge, then wiggle out the back hook.
You will need to remove the plastic cover around the lock to do this. With the retaining ring near your left hand, feed the cable end up to behind the hole and put the retaining ring over the end. It will be easier if you have plenty of slack on the cable.
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Removing the plastic cover around the lock
To remove the plastic cover around the lock, you will need to pull the front edge forward and lift it. Then, wiggle out the back hook. This will give you access to the cable.
Once you have removed the plastic cover, you will need to locate the cable. This can be done by feeling around for it with your hand. With the retaining ring in your left hand and the cable end in your right, feed the cable end up to behind the hole and put the retaining ring over the end. It is helpful to have plenty of slack on the cable when doing this.
Before attempting to remove the plastic cover, you will need to remove the rear fender liner, leaving two or three fasteners at the very back. You will also need to remove the side vent, the driver's seat, the door scuff liner, the vertical molding, the cubby door, and the side panel inside the cubby.
It is important to note that removing the plastic cover around the lock is only one small part of the process of replacing the fuel door release cable. There are several other steps involved, and it is important to be careful and methodical throughout the entire process.
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Frequently asked questions
You will need to remove the rear fender liner, the side vent, the driver's seat, the door scuff liner, the vertical molding, the cubby door, and the side panel inside the cubby. Then, locate the cable and remove the plastic cover around the lock. Pull the front edge forward, lift the front edge, and wiggle out the back hook. Finally, feed the cable end up to behind the hole and put the retaining ring over the end.
You will need a screwdriver to remove the screws holding the rear fender liner, side vent, and other interior panels in place. You may also need a pair of pliers to wiggle out the back hook of the plastic cover around the lock.
The process typically takes a few hours, depending on your level of expertise and the tools you have available.
Yes, it is possible to replace the fuel door release cable on your Miata yourself. However, it is a moderately difficult task that requires some mechanical knowledge and skill. If you are not comfortable with the process, it is recommended that you take your car to a professional mechanic.
Some signs that you may need to replace the fuel door release cable on your Miata include difficulty opening the fuel door, a stuck fuel door, or a broken cable. If you are experiencing any of these issues, it is recommended that you inspect the cable and replace it if necessary.






































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