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.

 

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.

 

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.

 

Quick question. This afternoon i attempted removing the front bumper for the very first time. Pain in the *** !!!! 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
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!

 

I had the same issue with the stupid plastic bolts. I ended up taking a drill piece, and drilling through the plastic. once I got deep enough the plastic broke and I was able to get the pieces out and screw in metal replacements.

 

So my rear bumper passenger side was tapped by a bad parker...

Now the rear seems to not be clipping in the sides.. my question is would mazda be able to fit this in flush?

Every time I try I pops out the back which only pops back in then unclips two clips on the passenger side... I'm worried about the looks... it's not nice at all I'll post a picture to show what I'm speaking of.

 

It sort of seems like some of the clips in the center of the bumper may have been pushed out. Have you tried removing the bumper and re-installing it?

 

I will try that tonight as it seems like it may be a lengthy process.

I'm worried I might mess up the other side.. the clips pictured above are not going into the holes made for them..

 

So i have my rear bumper off do to a collision, i am trying to identify the part you took a picture off. The panel behind the bumper, where the tail lights go. Ive got a dent it in, and when i look up 04 rx8 rear panel, i only get pictures and part links for the quarter panel. I am not referring to the bumper guard, the actual plate you have to cut off. I have uploaded pictures

 

For never having removed a bumper before, this was really helpful. Granted, from start of removal, to finish of putting back on, it took me about 3 hours or so. I had to stop a couple times because of my kids, and a few times to find the clips to remove. Also used a very basic tool set that I've had for like 10 years. The damn clips were the hardest part of everything. Trying to remove those without breaking them is a pain. I did break a couple, but they were the trunk liner ones. Overall, I could probably do it faster now, but if I ever have to remove the whole bumper again, it'll be to put a new one on, so possibly never lol.

I will say this though, my damn license plate ain't coming off, that's for sure ;-)

 

Old thread but I am grateful for it. Thank you!

 

Just took off both bumpers.

 

Hello,
I have a question . Can you take off the center black piece without take off the rear bumper?

 

the center black section is part of the rear bumper cover; it’s not a separate removable piece.

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Thank you..

 

that was for a 2004-2008 Series 1 RX8

there is a removable fog light piece on the 2009-2011 Series 2 RX8 model