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Thread: How to remove your rear bumper to install smoked reflectors

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    Sr Member yearoftherat's Avatar
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    Default How to remove your rear bumper to install smoked reflectors

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

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

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    Default Re: How to remove your rear bumper to install smoked reflectors

    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.

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    Sr Member Xenon's Avatar
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    Default Re: How to remove your rear bumper to install smoked reflectors

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

    Mazda3 SOLD. Bye Bye XeBa

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    Sr Member yearoftherat's Avatar
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    Default Re: How to remove your rear bumper to install smoked reflectors

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

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    Default Re: How to remove your rear bumper to install smoked reflectors

    Any idea on where I can get the sedan version?
    2008.5 Crystal White Pearl Mazda 3 GT Sedan w/ Luxury Package

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    Sr Member yearoftherat's Avatar
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    Default Re: How to remove your rear bumper to install smoked reflectors

    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.

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    Default Re: How to remove your rear bumper to install smoked reflectors

    Quote Originally Posted by Xenon View Post
    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?
    His: 2008.5 White Pearl Hatchback
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    HUY-zel... It's pronounced "wee-zel"

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    Default Re: How to remove your rear bumper to install smoked reflectors

    Quote Originally Posted by yearoftherat View Post
    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.

    2006 Copper Red Mazda3 GT Sport

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    Sr Member yearoftherat's Avatar
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    Default Re: How to remove your rear bumper to install smoked reflectors

    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.


    Quote Originally Posted by huyzel View Post
    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.

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    Jr Member Nick's Avatar
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    Default Re: How to remove your rear bumper to install smoked reflectors

    does anyone know how to tell which wire one is +/- on the plate light? they are both black with orange paint on them =[
    2006 Mazda 3 GS

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    Sr Member yearoftherat's Avatar
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    Default Re: How to remove your rear bumper to install smoked reflectors

    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.

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    Jr Member Nick's Avatar
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    Default Re: How to remove your rear bumper to install smoked reflectors

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

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    Sr Member yearoftherat's Avatar
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    Default Re: How to remove your rear bumper to install smoked reflectors

    Glad to have helped out !!!

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    Default Re: How to remove your rear bumper to install smoked reflectors

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

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    Default Re: How to remove your rear bumper to install smoked reflectors

    Quote Originally Posted by 07carbon3 View Post
    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
    ​A lion would never cheat on his wife, but a Tiger Wood.

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    Default Re: How to remove your rear bumper to install smoked reflectors

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

    Quote Originally Posted by aris View Post
    Yes you do need to remove the tail light to access a couple screws

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    Default Re: How to remove your rear bumper to install smoked reflectors

    Quote Originally Posted by 07carbon3 View Post
    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

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    Sr Member 07carbon3's Avatar
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    Default Re: How to remove your rear bumper to install smoked reflectors

    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

    Quote Originally Posted by aris View Post
    just the brake light and turn signal.

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

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    Default Re: How to remove your rear bumper to install smoked reflectors

    Quote Originally Posted by 07carbon3 View Post
    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

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    Sr Member Noisy Crow's Avatar
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    Default Re: How to remove your rear bumper to install smoked reflectors

    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.
    2008 Carbon Gray GT Sedan 5 Speed

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    Default Re: How to remove your rear bumper to install smoked reflectors

    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.
    Modifications? I've forgotten more than I remember. Click here for the list.

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    Default Re: How to remove your rear bumper to install smoked reflectors

    Quote Originally Posted by Hyperion View Post
    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.
    Quote Originally Posted by Lmmorden View Post
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    Default Re: How to remove your rear bumper to install smoked reflectors

    By golly. Thanks.

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    Default Re: How to remove your rear bumper to install smoked reflectors

    DAMN!

    This is exactly what I need. Need to fix the bumper, but was super weary how to take it off.
    Cheers!
    --GQMovement: Do it like a Sir.--

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    Default Re: How to remove your rear bumper to install smoked reflectors

    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.

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