This is for my 05 Tribute..should be the same or real similar in related models..

Hope this helps someone
Well I looked around on the interwebs for a description of how to do this, and I could not find one. So, with little other choice, I decided to blunder through and figure it out as I went along. To save everyone else from this future problem...I took pics and will share them here.

Start by pulling the weatherstripping loose in the middle of the rear of the car

Pull it off on both sides about to the corner


Take a flat blade screwdriver and gently (hey the whole world is made of brittle plastic these days) pry up to pop the plastic clip loose

Continue until the plastic trim comes completely loose


looks like this..dont mind that stain..god knows what that is

 

Then move up to the back door ( i did passenger side first but it dont matter)
pop the trim circle from the seat locking bracket

Then look down and find the plastic cover on the kickplate plastic trim and pop it open with a screwdriver

This is probably the hardest part of the whole thing..You pry,swear, pull etc to get the trim piece and that little plastic "pop-it" out

Looks like this when you get it out

The plastic is bendy so you can just pull it out of the way like this

 

Then pull the weatherstripping loose along the rear panel

Pry carefully (again its just plastic but its probably the most expensive plastic in the whole world if you break it) from the bottom of the plastic wall panel up towards the window

Then head to the back of the car and repeat the process

The only tabs that should still be holding are under the window..Just get your hands under and behind the panel and give it a firm tug..It'll let loose.

And there it is..the top of the shock!

You did it..now just repeat the process for the other side and go get a beer or six.


Coming soon...Mazda Tribute Shock Replacement