removing the front bumper

[Wiscon_Mark]

yep, I'm installing my hellas, and I need to remove the bumper to get at a few things.

Can anyone give me detailed instructions (pics would be excellent!)?

[slip]

Well first pull out your grill and headlamps. Along the top of the bumper cover under where the healights/grill sat there is a series of plastic fasteners from the factory. Also on each end the bumper it's bolted to each fender, towards the wheel well. Hope this helps you, sorry I don't have any pics.

[shazapple]

on mine theres about 3 metal screws on the very bottom middle (one of which broke while removing), 2000 plastic tabs under the grill and headlights (both of which you have to remove) and another 5 or 6 under where the licence plate mounts (botom side of the bumper beam). Theres also a bolt on the tol and bottom of each side just infront of the tire. Also, the plastic mudguard type stuff is attached to it

its really not that hard, or pictureworthy. The hardest part is getting the headlights out and those stupid little tabs (dont be surprised if you break them). I used a screwdriver to pop them off, and launch them halfway across the shop.

Heres the Service manual, although its not much help
http://personal.nbnet.nb.ca/apples/MSA5TCD99L371.pdf

[bgwagon]

if you haven't taken out your lights before use LOTS of WD-40 or whatever you use to loosen nuts...i live in Canada...and when i took my lights out to open them and take the amber piece out and spray them black...i broke 4/6 bolts holding my headlights on!!

just a word of caution

[Plays_with_Toys]

Mark, did you ever remove your bumper? I need to remove mine to attach my light bracket and was wondering if you ran into any trouble? Also, how did you get your headlights out, I've unbolted everything I can think to unbolt on my headlights, and there is something near the turn signal holding onto the light.

I don't know if you figured out how to mount your lights yet, but I just found that if you remove the liscence plate holder (take the screws that hold the plate out, then pull the black squares out) there are two, roughly, 3/8" holes 7" apart. Perfect to fit the lights into, and because liscence plates' holes are 7" apart, I just drilled my liscence plate holes a little larger to get my hella bolts to slide through the plate.

Anyway, I hope to remove my bumper skin thursday and get everything mounted up, so if you've done this or even removed the headlights, let me know any tips.

[Wiscon_Mark]

neat idea Dan, never thought of that. I'm thinking of getting the OB bumper anyways.

As for the headlights, it's not a screw or anything holding it on, it's a grooved bolt that aligns the headlights properly with the body. Just wiggle it out, it'll come.