Rear Outer Handle Removal/Installation: Notes

WARNING: This page is about a different car, the 2014 Mazda 6. However, it is still accessible from the selected car via links, so may be relevant.

To provide enough work space when removing the rear outer handle, open the rear door glass completely.
Disconnect the negative battery cable. (See NEGATIVE BATTERY CABLE DISCONNECTION/CONNECTION .)
Remove the rear door trim. (See REAR DOOR TRIM REMOVAL/INSTALLATION .)
Remove service hole cover No. 1 in the direction of the arrow shown in the figure.
CAUTION:
- When removing service hole cover No. 1, remove it while gradually stripping the butyl rubber. Otherwise service hole cover No. 1 may be deformed.
Fig 1: Removing Service Hole Cover No. 1
Courtesy of MAZDA MOTORS CORP.
Remove the service hole cover.

Fig 2: Identifying Service Hole Cover
Courtesy of MAZDA MOTORS CORP.
Loosen the screw from the rear outer handle bracket.
NOTE:
- The screw cannot be removed because the rear outer handle bracket has a stopper which prevents the screw from falling.
Fig 3: Identifying Rear Outer Handle Bracket Screw
Courtesy of MAZDA MOTORS CORP.
While pressing the rear outer handle bracket tab in the direction of arrow (1) shown in the figure, pull the outer handle garnish in the direction of arrow (2) to detach the rear outer handle bracket from the outer handle garnish.
Remove the outer handle garnish from the rear outer handle bracket.

Fig 4: Pulling Outer Handle Garnish
Courtesy of MAZDA MOTORS CORP.
While pulling the rear outer handle bracket pin in the direction of arrow (3) shown in the figure, pull the rear outer handle in the direction of arrow (4) to detach the rear outer handle bracket pin from the rear outer handle.

Fig 5: Pulling Rear Outer Handle Bracket Pin
Courtesy of MAZDA MOTORS CORP.
Remove the rear outer handle in the direction of the arrow shown in the figure.
Loosen the screw from the rear outer handle bracket.

Fig 6: Removing Rear Outer Handle
Courtesy of MAZDA MOTORS CORP.

Fig 7: Identifying Rear Outer Handle Screw
Courtesy of MAZDA MOTORS CORP.
NOTE:
- The screw cannot be removed because the rear outer handle bracket has a stopper which prevents the screw from falling.
Pull the rear outer handle bracket in the direction of arrow (5) shown in the figure and detach the rear outer handle bracket hooks from the body.
Lift the rear outer handle bracket in the direction of arrow (6) shown in the figure to pull the rod out of the rod holder. (See REAR OUTER HANDLE BRACKET INSTALLATION NOTE .)

Fig 8: Pulling Rear Outer Handle Bracket
Courtesy of MAZDA MOTORS CORP.

Fig 9: Lifting Rear Outer Handle Bracket
Courtesy of MAZDA MOTORS CORP.
Remove the rear outer handle bracket.
Remove the handle seat from the body.
Install in the reverse order of removal.

Fig 10: Removing Handle Seat From Body
Courtesy of MAZDA MOTORS CORP.