How to remove your rear bumper to install smoked reflectors

[yearoftherat]

Here's the instructions to remove your rear bumper to install smoked reflectors.

http://fp2000.org/mazda/m3reflector.pdf

[ysoslo]

Awesome walk-through! I wish I had had this before I installed mine. I ended up trashing the factory reflectors with a dremel tool so I didn't remove the bumper at all, but it would have been nice to save the OEM reflectors.

[Xenon]

That's a great guide, but from experience, it's a lot easier to just wire the LED reflectors to the plate light.

[yearoftherat]

I wired mine up to the plate light too, but the guide is great for those that have never taken off the bumper before.

[JiNuWiNe]

Any idea on where I can get the sedan version?

[yearoftherat]

The only difference between the hatch and sedan is the trunk liner which has to be gently pulled back to get the tail lights off..There are a few clips holding it in place in the area around the tail lights.

[huyzel]

That's a great guide, but from experience, it's a lot easier to just wire the LED reflectors to the plate light.

So if I don't wire to the taillights or get reflectors, I don't need to take the tails out? Just remove the bumper?

[Cardinal Fang]

I wired mine up to the plate light too, but the guide is great for those that have never taken off the bumper before.

This is how I would like to do mine. I'd like to try this out myself but I have no experience doing ANY and I mean any electrical work on a car. Let alone anything that requires the use of Tap-in Connectors. I would love to see a how to to use Tap-in connectors.

Yes...yes I know that's too much to ask. :chuckle

[yearoftherat]

Nahh not asking too much...
I bought tap ins thinking I was going to use them but decided to solder them to the existing wires.



So if I don't wire to the taillights or get reflectors, I don't need to take the tails out? Just remove the bumper?

You still have to remove the tails to get some hardware that bolts the bumper to the car.

[Nick]

does anyone know how to tell which wire one is +/- on the plate light? they are both black with orange paint on them =[

[yearoftherat]

Its dumb why BOTH are the same. I used a wire cutter and cut the casing on both wires. I then pulled the casing back to expose the wire and then temporarily attached the LED's wires. If they didn't light up I just switched wires. No the best way but it works.

[Nick]

just got in and finished the install, great tip yearoftherat! my dad helped me out with that one, did it the exact same way! =]

[yearoftherat]

Glad to have helped out !!!

[07carbon3]

do you need to take the trunk side tail light out or just the the side attached to the car on a sedan?

[aris]

do you need to take the trunk side tail light out or just the the side attached to the car on a sedan?

Yes you do need to remove the tail light to access a couple screws

[07carbon3]

even the reverse light piece that's attached to trunk? or just the big piece with the brake light and turn signal


Yes you do need to remove the tail light to access a couple screws

[aris]

even the reverse light piece that's attached to trunk? or just the big piece with the brake light and turn signal

just the brake light and turn signal.

The reverse lights is part of the trunk their is no need to remove it

[07carbon3]

ok great thanks
is removing the rear bumper any more difficult then removing the front? is unscrewing the screws on the inside wheel well as hard, as you can turn the wheels for easier access


just the brake light and turn signal.

The reverse lights is part of the trunk their is no need to remove it

[aris]

ok great thanks
is removing the rear bumper any more difficult then removing the front? is unscrewing the screws on the inside wheel well as hard, as you can turn the wheels for easier access

It's pretty easy...i only had trouble with one screw in the wheel wells cause it siezed..other then that it was easy

[Noisy Crow]

Rear bumper is much easier. Only real difficult part: removing the rear panel at the back of the trunk. I managed to break a couple of clips on mine, so it is now held in place with silicone. You don't actually need to remove that panel... if you remove the push-fasteners at its sides you can bend the sides forward enough to get at the fasteners underneath that hold the side panels in place. Remove enough of the side panels so you can get a hand with a wrench into the opening and you are good to go. If you go this route I suggest getting a "gear wrench" (ratcheting box wrench), as that will make it much easier to loosen and tighten the nuts.

If you are completely removing the bumper you will need to completely remove the right-side panel so you can unclip the licence plate wiring harness. Once the harness is disconnected you can just push the rubber grommet/plug out through the trunk floor.

Make sure you don't over-tighten the nuts when you put the lights back in.

Removing the clips that hold the "straps" underneath the bumper can also be a bit of pain, as they get filled up with grit, which makes them a bit hard to release.

[Hyperion]

Sooper Bump!
Is it possible to tap into both the brake light and turn signal so that it work with both?
In my head it works.

[Booter22]

Sooper Bump!
Is it possible to tap into both the brake light and turn signal so that it work with both?
In my head it works.

Do you mean if you were to install the reflectors nextmod has? As when I help my buddy put his in you coild hook up brake lights, signal and just the on/off runners.

[Hyperion]

By golly. Thanks.

[gq_movement]

DAMN!

This is exactly what I need. Need to fix the bumper, but was super weary how to take it off.
Cheers!

[DatMazdaCar]

that link isnt working for me. anyone got another link? i wanna take off the rear bumper inorder to install the relector lights but having a hard time figuring it out myself.