Well this past weekend I removed my rear bumper to get it painted. Unfortunately, the painting didn’t work out and I won’t detail the issues her in the DIY. But I did take the time to get some pictures of the reassembly as I don’t think there is a DIY for he rear bumper on the site.

Anyway, I’ll start with the “manual” pages. You’ll notice there are lots of steps but I really think it looks harder than it is on paper.

Step 1 - Trunk End Removal Step.

Remove the four fasteners shown in pics.
Pull straight up on rear trip as there are clips just a few inches on each side of the trunk mechanism.
Lift out.

Step 2 – Trunk Side Trim Removal

I found by that by removing the three closest connectors to the Trunk End, you could access that area needed. I removed the fasteners with a screw head with a screw driver “turn” and pulled the other type. Then I pulled the carpet back.

Step 3 – Rear Combination Light Removal

There are two bolts that hold these in place show in the pic. Remove these.
Then disconnect the FOUR wire harnesses. Three are easily viewable behind each bulb. There is a fourth for the side strip lights.
Then gently pull these toward the rear of the car. Mine were pretty snug.

Step 4 – Rear Bumper Removal – Exhaust guard

There are two fasteners on the underside of each piece. I only have a pic of one. The only way I was able to remove them was to pry the head of the center piece up enough to pull it out with a pliers. I was fortunate not to break any. Once this has been complete, pull the piece in the direction of the rear of the car. There are plastic tabs all around it that will come loose.

Step 5 – Rear Bumper Removal – Wheel Well

This was easily the most difficult step in my removal. However, that’s because I have the appearance package pieces on my rear fender which blocked access to some of the fasteners. So your fasteners and screws may vary. Included are some pics. Basically make sure you remove any fastener to the fender well from the bottom, all the way up to the point where the bumper meats the rear quarter panel. This is a bolt show below in the last pic. This pic is taken from the ground looking up to give the best view.

Step 6 – Rear Bumper Removal – Underside of Bumper.

Remove the three fastners on the underside of the bumper. They are fastened though pieces that are directly behind the faux rear grill.

Step 7 – Rear Bumper Removal – Upper Bumper.

The last fasteners in the bumper are a fastener and a bolt on each side of the bumper near the top where the bumper gets closest to the trunk lid. Once these have been removed, you are almost ready to remove the bumper. You simply need to remove the license plate light. This can be done by pulling the light toward the front of the car from the backside of the rear bumper. You should now be able to remove the bumper.

Pic of rear bumper removed.

Very nice DIY, Bill. Well done. :D

I will be doing this after work today. It is great to know I'll have this to aide me through the process. Is there anything that you would like me to add to this, or additional pictures you overlooked that may provide some additional help?

Thx for the DIY, I am about to start this job in about 10 minutes! Much appreciated!!

Me too, stupid license plate nut on the backside fell though.

Old thread, I know. I wanted to say thanks.

I need to do this for the same reason as savedsol, the license plate nuts fell through... damn things!

mkztg.

haha yup license plate nut fell through... is this really the only way to do it?

Thanks Bill for this thorough DIY. It made my effort this morning, in preparation for a new bumper, allot easier.

This DIY is definitely going to be useful. Thanks.

btw. Getting this thing back on... defines pain in the ass.

^ I didn't find it that hard to get the bumper back on. Getting your clutch pedal reinstalled after attaching the reinforcement bracket defines PITA. ;)

haha well I added the rear aero flares. Which made everything involving wheel well liners difficult

Anyone have any DIY instructions and/or pics for taking off the balck plastic exhaust surrounds? These are also known as rear bumper guards...

Pic: http://www.rotaryfx.com/product_p/ext1083.htm

I need to take them off so I can get bad lacquer off them and relacquer them.

Thanks in advance!

Best link I can think of.

http://mazdatrix.com/faqrx8/exhfinish.htm

Just the two plastic fasteners and a bunch of snap tabs. Take your time with the latter so you don't break them (if you do, as I did, JB Weld to the rescue).

Hey guys,

Thanks a million for that. Very helpful and will get me through it :)

wow...um, thanks, AND WHAT A COMPLETE PAIN THE ASS TAKING OFF THE REAR BUMPER IS!

holy shit man, i'd take off and put on the front 10 times before i go through this again...

Looking at the pic of the bumper when it is off...is there something holding the license plate nuts in place? (supposing you removed the front bolts)

Yes, there are molded retainers for the license plate nuts. Also a detachable retainer for the license plate light.

Yes, there are molded retainers for the license plate nuts. Also a detachable retainer for the license plate light.

Thanks. I was asking because my '04 (apparently all years don't have this) came with nylon bolts for the rear plate which somehow became seized to the nuts so the bolt heads snapped right off when I tried to remove them. I poked out the nuts with a screwdriver but I wasn't sure if there was actually something holding them back there. Since they fell to the ground, I was hoping there is enough space back there to be able to get the new nuts and bolts the dealer gave me installed without removing the bumper. Haven't got under there to get a closer look yet.

You should be able to reach up inside the bumper to get the plate nuts in position without removing the bumper. Tight, but do-able.

If not, now you know how to remove the bumper. ;)

You should be able to reach up inside the bumper to get the plate nuts in position without removing the bumper. Tight, but do-able.

If not, now you know how to remove the bumper. ;)


Well, if I need to remove the bumper it becomes a nice little weekend project. Not a big deal. Honestly, because of all the great info posted on here, the RX-8 is a pretty easy car to work on/maintain yourself. Comes in handy with dealership prices getting worse by the day.

This is probably a stupid question. But does the Mazdaspeed rear diffuser include the entire rear bumper or just the lower part ?

i will deffinitly be doing this.. or trying to get that nut plate out this weekend.. i, as of many have encountered this problem of it being broke! :( but, looks simple enough.. as long as i dont break the fasteners lol

Well, I tried it today and it was a complete FAIL. Tail light and trunk stuff was no problem, but when it came to the plastic fasteners underneath, I can pry the middle part out a little on each one but I can see there is dirt and sand jammed inside there so they are not budging to the point I can pull them out. Also, those bolts on the underside of the wheel well are not moving either and thats after trying a few different penetrating oils and wd-40. Guess zip ties will have to hold the plate for now.

so i have a quick question.. was gonna do this today but i got rained out.. whats the best way to remove these fasteners so i dont break them? local dealer says about 1.50 per fastener.. so i'd like to break as few as possible.. that isnt much.. but if i break them all.. lol could add up

So in looking at the pics I assume the rear wheels can stay on for this? I'm guessing I don't need to take them off but I'm asking anyway. I too have lost one of the bolts for my license plate that popped out from behind, I can't tell if I can even get it back on or if the little tabs that hold it in place are broken. (grr)

See photo in post no. 16. Wheels on and minimal tools required.

Autozone and the like have and assortment of plastic poppets.

So in looking at the pics I assume the rear wheels can stay on for this? I'm guessing I don't need to take them off but I'm asking anyway. I too have lost one of the bolts for my license plate that popped out from behind, I can't tell if I can even get it back on or if the little tabs that hold it in place are broken. (grr)

Quick question. This afternoon i attempted removing the front bumper for the very first time. Pain in the ass !!!! But i was successful. Got the damn thing off and i could probably do it again.. with ease this time. However when putting the bumper back on. Everything went perfect. I bolted everything on etc etc. However i cant get the part right under the headlights in the outer corners to clip on. Im not talking about where the clear corners go but rather the part under the headlights (the outter corner).

How should i try to put it on tomorrow ?? Late night so i figured id bolt everythign on really quick and fix the gap tomorrow morning.

Thanks

Quick question. This afternoon i attempted removing the front bumper for the very first time. Pain in the ass !!!! But i was successful. Got the damn thing off and i could probably do it again.. with ease this time. However when putting the bumper back on. Everything went perfect. I bolted everything on etc etc. However i cant get the part right under the headlights in the outer corners to clip on. Im not talking about where the clear corners go but rather the part under the headlights (the outter corner).

How should i try to put it on tomorrow ?? Late night so i figured id bolt everythign on really quick and fix the gap tomorrow morning.

Thanks
This thread is for the rear, not front :spank:
Either way, I think you're talking about the headlight washer covers. PITA to replace. All I did was pull them out and try to balance a screw bit in there and turn with a small wrench!