This DIY is based on this thread discussion “Loose storage compartment door”
https://www.rx8club.com/rx-8-discussion-3/loose-storage-compartment-door-40325/
Although this fix does not address the side looseness of the lid it self, some members have reported a slanted release button. As for my self I only experienced a slanted release button at 8K miles. My guess is that the heat of the summer caused the stop tabs to become bent, thus making the bottom pop out of their housing. Luckily, the button assembly is made out of nylon so it does not break easily like ABS plastic.
Again, you can have the dealer fix this issue by replacing the lid under warranty. But for my self, I rather go there for major work or repairs. So far after 4K miles the button has not giving me problems.

Here are the steps:

1- Slide and open the center console.

2-Press the highlighted button of the second picture and slide forward the lid.

3-Once the lid is out, proceed to unscrew the seven small screws by using a Phillips screw driver. Note that there are five black screws in which are machine screws. The other two silver screws are regular screws.

 

4- Remove the lid and the button assembly should fall by it self

5- Carefully, spread the side tabs and push forward the little arm. Once done that the button should pop out. Do not loose the two small springs.

 

6- At this point you will notice that one of the stoppers is bent inwards. So, with a hair dryer or heat gun, heat the button and spread the tabs out until straight. Be careful with the hair dryer/heat gun TEMPERATURE!

7-Once done let the button to cool and reassemble by using the reverse procedures

 

Very cool little DIY, Romulus! Well done! :D

 

thanks so much it was getting really annoying looking at it :D

 

Very Kind of you sir!

Thank you!!!

 

Hey i have this same problem and now i can fix it,

thanks very helpful!

 

No problem Right now I have 16K miles on my car and so far no problem with the button. One thing I forgot to mention, when you guys open the lid (hard plastic cover) make sure not to loose the litte rubber bumper located near the button assembly. This little bumper might fall off when you remove the button. See picture. Let me know if you have any questions.
cheers!

 

thanks romulus i have 4k on mine and that button was getting anoying
thanks again this worked like a charm

 

cool! glad to help

 

Had just bought the car last month, noticed the slanted button yesterday...you can imagine how upsetting it can be to feel as though your new car is already falling apart. First time using this DIY portion of the forum, worked perfectly! Didn't have a glue gun though...just heated it a little on the stove, hahaha. Thanks Romulus.

 

Glad to see that my DYI still in use since it was posted almost a year ago Just for update. I have 24K miles on my car and so far no problem :D

 

woot! I have 9300 miles on my car - the button has been jacked up since about mile 8500.

I'll hope to try this DIY this weekend! :D

 

great DIY. took me about 5 minutes and my button is fixed. hopefully for good. thanks!!

 

I took mine to the dealer and they are ordering me a new lid.

It hasn't come yet 2 weeks. but that should fix it. Cool DIY

Bill

 

Sweet, I'll be doing mine soon.

 

wouldnt it be easier to just take it to the dealership??

 

Take it to the dealer and they replace it but then 7-8 thousand miles later its right back to slanted... I'm speaking from experience.

I wonder if I could melt the tabs out and reinforce them with metal somehow to prevent them from EVER moving again...

 

thanks for the write up

 

A year and a half later and you've helped fix another slanted button. I actually didn't know it wasn't supposed to be slanted till I found this DIY....????

Took all of ten minutes from taking the lid off to putting it back on with the new, straight button.

If you're still around, thanks man!

 

Licid,
You are welcome! Yes, I am still around. Just not as active as before because I have been busy most of the time.
Since my last update (24k miles), I want to let everyone know that so far so good. Now my car has 38K miles.

 

Wow I brought this up to the service department at my dealership and the dude actually told me it was normal and that they were all like that ????? I could have sworn it was not like that before, but he assured me.

smh

=\

 

Ah hell, I'm going to give this a try tonight, I HATE dealerships sometimes.

EDIT

Wow that seriously took 5 minutes to fix. Could it be that Mr. Mazda Service Mgr. really thought this was normal due to the high number of 8's that its apparently a problem on ? Or could it be that he really did not want to have somebody spend 5 minutes fixing ?



Thanks so much man, its the little things that count. Boy was that one litte thing getting on my nerves.

 

Awesome.

 

Thanks for this DIY. It was such an easy fix and it looks much better now. Hooray!