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      08-11-2015, 04:43 PM   #1
inTgr8r
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DIY - Front fender/bumper clip.

Removal of the front bumper skin at the front fender clip, seems to be a recurring question.

Many have broken these clips during the bumper skin removal.
I know there have been many responses on the topic, just thought I'd share my method with a few pics.

I have lost count of the number of times that I have had the bumper skin off of the car, and I still have the original clips on the car.

1st; If you don't have a set of plastic trim removal tools, do yourself a favor and buy a set.
They are VERY inexpensive and you will find many uses for them when working around your car.

2nd; iF you remove your bumper by just pulling it out of the clips, the locking tabs start to wear down each time and don't lock as well when reinstalling.


PIC1
The bumper has several tabs that interlock into the clip.
The 1st thing is to insert a thin flat tool (1) that helps to disengage them.
Then with a pry tool (2) gently start to lever the skin out of the clip.



As it starts to come out work your way across (3) prying further


In this pic it shows a couple of things to be cautious about.
in the circle it shows a part of the clip that extends down.
It is VERY easy to snap this off if you just pull the bumper off with your fingers.
Also note the three alignment guides.
These line up with notches in the bumper.
If not lined up when reinstalling, the one towards the front in particular can also snap off.


...the three notches in the bumper.



Thats about it....
There is already another DIY already posted on the bumper removal as a whole by Mister_Roger.

In that thread; step three is how NOT to remove the bumper from clip.
You may get lucky with that method, but chances are it will break.





.
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Last edited by inTgr8r; 08-11-2015 at 06:16 PM..
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      08-11-2015, 05:13 PM   #2
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Great post. I broke the plastic piece on both sides the first time I removed my bumper a couple years ago. I've had new ones sitting around since waiting for the next occasion I have to replace them.
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      08-11-2015, 09:43 PM   #3
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Great tip and thanks for that link to the full removal too.
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      08-13-2015, 03:44 AM   #4
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I actually just broke my passenger side one today :/

Got the replacement ordered. Looks like it just pries out and new one attaches with clips?

Also, where can I buy those plastic trim removal tools?

Thanks!
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      08-13-2015, 11:29 AM   #5
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You can get them in almost any auto supply's chain; ebay and Amazon
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      08-13-2015, 01:14 PM   #6
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ECS and Griot's Garage as well.
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      08-14-2015, 08:17 AM   #7
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Reborn_ View Post
I actually just broke my passenger side one today :/

Got the replacement ordered. Looks like it just pries out and new one attaches with clips?

Also, where can I buy those plastic trim removal tools?

Thanks!
I got this set from Harbor Freight for a few bucks. Looks exactly the same as the ECS one and convenient if you have a Harbor Freight near you. I've been using it for interior trim removal for years.
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      08-14-2015, 01:31 PM   #8
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Thanks guys. I'll probably cheap out and get the Harbor Freight tools (though I generally dislike HF) - there is one very local to me.
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      08-18-2015, 02:21 PM   #9
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how much are y’all paying for the bumper clips? I’ve broken mine but the ones I’ve found are $80+ for the pair; is that about right?
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      08-18-2015, 07:42 PM   #10
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About $30 each.
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      08-18-2015, 11:24 PM   #11
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About 38$ each on RM European.
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      08-20-2015, 07:19 PM   #12
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Thanks for the post and pics. Very informative.
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      08-21-2015, 10:28 AM   #13
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Finn, in pic 1, arrow 1, do you motion that prybar up and down? Or are u inserting that to push the locking tabs on the skin away from the slots where they lock in?
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      08-21-2015, 10:39 AM   #14
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A bit of both actually.
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      08-21-2015, 09:19 PM   #15
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thanks
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