Replace a Passenger Mirror in a 2003 Mazda 6
The Mazda 6 sedan is equipped with fixed door mirrors that may be subject to damage from minor car accidents. The procedure for replacing a door mirror is simple enough to be performed at home using basic tools, although it does require partial removal of the interior door panel. You can obtain a replacement mirror at either a Mazda dealer parts counter or you may find one at a local parts shop or junkyard.
Instructions
Removing the door and mirror assemblies
1. Open the hood and disconnect the negative battery cable.
2. Remove the tweeter speaker assembly from the inside of the door where the window frame meets the front of the door. Use a wide, flat bladed screwdriver or your fingers to carefully pop the retaining clips around the assembly away from the door.
3. Disconnect the tweeter assembly from the door's wiring by pushing the locking pin down and separating the connector pieces. Set the tweeter assembly aside.
4. Pop off the cover for the door light at the base of the door panel. This is held in place by plastic prongs. Once this is removed, remove the screw located underneath.
5. Pop open the small cap underneath the passenger side door handle and remove the screw hidden below the cap. Pull the door handle out and remove the plastic surrounding piece. Disconnect the wiring for the power door lock and set the plastic surrounding piece aside.
6. In the door handle pocket, pull the rubbery trim piece up ---this is secured by adhesive--- just enough to access the screw hidden beneath. Remove the screw.
7. Carefully work your way around the door panel starting at the base and pull the panel out to the retaining clips holding the panel in place. There are two clips at the back (latching) side, there are two along the base, one at the front lower corner, and three going up the front (hinge) side.
8. Lift the door panel vertically to disengage the hooks from the top of the door. You may be able to just disengage the front hook while leaving the rear hook clipped. Allow the panel to come away from the door structure enough to allow access to the three bolts holding the door mirror in place. This will not require disconnecting the power window harness.
9. Disconnect the power mirror electrical connector and remove the three nuts holding the mirror assembly on the door. Gently work the mirror away from the door.
Installing the mirror and door assemblies
10. Insert the bolts on the replacement mirror assembly through the openings in the door and thread the nuts onto the bolts. Tighten the nuts, ensuring that the fit is snug and even. Reconnect the power mirror wiring harness.
11. Hook the door panel back to the top of the door structure, carefully ensuring that the panel lines up properly and that the interior door handle fits through the cutout in the door panel. Work around the door panel pushing each of the retaining clips back into place.
12. Insert the screw into the hole in the door handle pocket ---under the rubbery trim--- and tighten it to snug. Push the trim down and hold until the adhesive sticks it into place.
13. Clip the wiring connector for the power door lock back onto the harness and work the trim piece into place around the interior door handle. Insert the screw into the hole in the trim piece and tighten until snug. Push the cap into place covering the screw. Insert the screw into the hole by the door light and tighten until snug. Clip the door light cover into place.
14. Reconnect the tweeter wiring harness and reinstall it by pushing the retaining clips back into place. Reconnect the car's battery and test to make sure that the electrical connections are properly installed and that all devices work as intended.
Tips Warnings
Have a container available to hold any removed screws or nuts. Use gentle, smooth pressure when trying to pop the retaining clips.
Great force should not be required to perform any of this activity. Be careful to avoid breaking any retaining clips or overtightening any screws.
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