ltoolio

Hey all,
I'm looking to take my rear-bumper off, and can't get the bolts holding the impact absorbers off via a crescent wrench.

I'd like to use a socket so I can provide a bit more leverage, but the cover for the impact pipe is in the way (identified below).

I've tried pull it off by hand, but it's not budging. In looking at the pic and the WSM, I can't tell if I just need to pull/wiggle harder or if it's secured with any sort of screw/bolt on the inside.



Anyone know?

Ryan

Ladybug83

Each rubber bumper has a nut on the horizontal stud. And each has a vertical bolt going though the aluminum bumper and the U-shape bracket on the rubber bumper.

ltoolio

Damn it.

It's the vertical nut that I can't get off (multiple days of assorted corrosion busters applied), and the bolts securing the cover over the horizontal studs are both rounded and rusted.

Oh how I love working with rusted parts

Ladybug83

Don't forget to counter hold the vertical bolt from the top, otherwise it'll just spin.

dr bob

Allen wrench from the bottom outside, through that hole in the bottom of the rubber part. IIRC, mine come off without any counterholding above or inside. Playing from often-feeble memory here, it's been a few years since they were off for a serious clean-and-detail.

ltoolio

Hmm....Me thinks I'm going about this the wrong way.

I know the exact bolts w/Allen heads you're speaking about, Bob. I was working on the bolts that mount the cover, rather than the whole bumper assembly. Probably easier to get the whole bumper assembly off then work on the bolts for the cover that are currently in a tough to reach area.

Will report back, and thanks to you & Ladybug for the suggestions.

ltoolio

Dr. Bob - you were spot on. Circular lids removed, allen bit up and boom. Off comes bumper. Was definetely barking up the wrong tree (again). But....

Why? Why? Why?

Ladybug83

This helps me too. Didn't know it all comes off as one piece through the plug holes. Thanks dr bob!