Rear Outer Handle Removal/Installation: Notes

Fully close the rear door glass.
Disconnect the negative battery terminal. (See NEGATIVE BATTERY TERMINAL DISCONNECTION/CONNECTION .)
Remove the rear door trim. (See REAR DOOR TRIM REMOVAL/INSTALLATION .)
Disconnect the connector.

Fig 1: Rear Outer Handle Connector
Courtesy of MAZDA MOTORS CORP.
Remove the service hole cover.

Fig 2: Service Hole Cover
Courtesy of MAZDA MOTORS CORP.
Remove the service hole cover.

Fig 3: Service Hole Cover
Courtesy of MAZDA MOTORS CORP.
Loosen the screw from the rear outer handle bracket.

Fig 4: Rear Outer Handle Bracket Screw
Courtesy of MAZDA MOTORS CORP.
NOTE:
- The screw cannot be removed because the front outer handle bracket has a stopper which prevents the screw from falling.
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.

Fig 5: Pulling Outer Handle Garnish
Courtesy of MAZDA MOTORS CORP.
Remove the outer handle garnish from the rear outer handle bracket.
While pulling the rear outer handle bracket pin in the direction of arrow (1) shown in the figure, pull the rear outer handle in the direction of arrow (2) to detach the rear outer handle bracket pin from the rear outer handle.

Fig 6: Detaching Rear Outer Handle Bracket Pin From Rear Outer Handle
Courtesy of MAZDA MOTORS CORP.
Remove the rear outer handle in the direction of the arrow shown in the figure.

Fig 7: Removing Rear Outer Handle
Courtesy of MAZDA MOTORS CORP.
Loosen the screw from the rear outer handle bracket.

Fig 8: Rear Outer Handle Bracket 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 shown in the figure and detach the rear outer handle bracket hooks from the body.

Fig 9: Detaching Rear Outer Handle Bracket Hooks From Body
Courtesy of MAZDA MOTORS CORP.
Lift the rear outer handle bracket in the direction of arrow shown in the figure to pull the rod out of the rod holder. (See REAR OUTER HANDLE BRACKET INSTALLATION NOTE .)

Fig 10: Lifting Rear Outer Handle Bracket
Courtesy of MAZDA MOTORS CORP.
Remove the rear outer handle bracket.
Remove the handle seat from the body.

Fig 11: Removing Handle Seat From Body
Courtesy of MAZDA MOTORS CORP.
Install in the reverse order of removal.