Genuine Mazda 6 Liftgates

Mazda 6 Liftgates Parts and Q&A

• Lift Gate
  GM9B-62-020A
  Q: How can liftgates be removed and installed safely and effectively on Mazda 6?

  A:

  The liftgate is heavy and somewhat awkward to remove and install, so at least two people should perform this procedure. Begin by disconnecting the cable from the negative battery terminal. Open the liftgate fully and support it. Carefully pry out the liftgate trim panels using a trim tool. Press the harness connector for the liftgate in and down to free it, then disconnect the harness connector, ground wire, and rear window defogger connector, removing the rubber grommet from the liftgate. Mark around the door hinges with a pen or scribe to facilitate realignment during reassembly. With an assistant holding the door, pry off the support struts stay bands and pull the support strut(s) from the ball stud at each end. Remove the hinge-to-liftgate bolts and lift off the door, drawing a reference line around the hinges before removing the bolts. Installation is the reverse of removal. Proper liftgate-to-body alignment is critical for a well-functioning door assembly; check the liftgate hinge pins for excessive play. Fully open the liftgate and lift up and down on the door without lifting the body. If there is 1/16-inch or more excessive play, the hinges should be replaced. Adjustments for liftgate-to-body alignment are made by loosening the hinge-to-body or hinge-to-door bolts and moving the door until the top is parallel with the roof section, the sides are flush with the rear quarter panels, and the bottom aligns with the lower door sill. If these goals can't be reached through adjustments, body alignment shims may need to be purchased and inserted behind the hinges. To adjust the door-closed position, mark around the striker plate for reference and check that the door latch contacts the center of the latch striker; adjust the up and down position first if necessary. Finally, adjust the latch striker sideways to ensure the door panel is flush with the rear quarter panel and provides positive engagement with the latch mechanism.