Liftgate Garnish Problem

[gramontj]

Some rude person backed into my 08 CX-9 and broke the trim piece over the back license plate (I'm told it is called the lift gate garnish). As a result, it is loose on the right side, which houses the keyless entry button and one of the license plate lights. I would like to see if it can be saved, but am not sure how to remove the interior panel so I can get a good look at what's going on with that side of the trim piece. Is it as simple as just levering off the interior panel? Or is there a danger that I might bust one or more of the clips that hold it on? I know replacing the trim is hugely expensive (Mazda dealer quoted over $500 just for the part), so I'm prepared to spend some time to see if I can save it. Is there a YouTube video that shows how to do this?

 

[avidien]

Some rude person backed into my 08 CX-9 and broke the trim piece over the back license plate (I'm told it is called the lift gate garnish). As a result, it is loose on the right side, which houses the keyless entry button and one of the license plate lights. I would like to see if it can be saved, but am not sure how to remove the interior panel so I can get a good look at what's going on with that side of the trim piece. Is it as simple as just levering off the interior panel? Or is there a danger that I might bust one or more of the clips that hold it on? I know replacing the trim is hugely expensive (Mazda dealer quoted over $500 just for the part), so I'm prepared to spend some time to see if I can save it. Is there a YouTube video that shows how to do this?

here you go, see if this helps you out,

View attachment cx9 liftgate garnish replacement.pdf

note if you do need to replace, the 2008-2009 liftgate garnish were different, they had more chrome than the ones that came after 2010+

see the difference below, I'm positive they are interchangeable, just depends on which one you like better but make sure the color codes from different years match yours otherwise it'll look weird.



or you can get the non-GT liftgate garnish WITH NO chrome under the Mazda logo, I think this looks just as nice color matched without chrome, especially if you install the stainless steel bumper trim guard, with the chrome garnish it'll look like two parallel chrome elements which is too much chrome and overkill IMHO. off topic: I also prefer the non-GT color matched door handles instead of the chrome handles.

All a matter of personal preference, some people like the all blacked out "murdered out" look while others like the classic look. just don't go with trends, they go out so fast; remember altezza and spray painted blacked out tail light lights and who can forget the spinners spinning wheels, I laugh when I still see those dead trends. I guess the current trend now is black rims, they look nice up close but on highways and far away, they look like basic steel rims missing silver ABS hubcap covers to me.