update 11/7

We're stuck. At this point I'm told we need to remove the transmission (again) to proceed, and I'm not willing to pony up another $600 to do that. I told them to put it back together. Hopefully I still have an open AWD system.

Update, still stuck

They still can't get the center diff out to check the motor. He said they got it 3/4 the way, but don't want to force it as Mazda doesn't carry that part anymore. He's gonna check with the tech today, but thinks that they need to crack open the transmission to go further, and that's $600, and much more than I wanted to pay. He said we'll talk tomorrow once he talks to the tech.