wings & wheels

anyone come across any gotcha's or other issues when r&r the front bumper cover? problems with alignment when replacing, fasteners breaking, etc?

The grill insert on our car is discolored so i am going to remove and refinish or replace it as a winter project. The instructions on this and other sites make the job out to be pretty straightforward. like to hear your experiences.

thanks, w

RPMulli

Its simple, No issues that I've ever run into...

ivangene

simple, and while you have it off clean between the radiators and a/c condensors - well worth the added coupld minutes for good airflow and reduction od acidic debris that can errode your radiators

Hambisa

To get to the screws that attach the top rear corners to the underside of the side marker light housing, you may find it easier to remove the inner wheel well liner than trying to pry your way in behind it. Even with dousing them in WD-40, I broke some of the plastic expansion rivet retainers that hold them in, so you may want to get a package of spares for a couple of bucks. P/N 999 507 497 40
Other than that, R&R is not at all difficult. Definitely clean out between the radiators and condensors while you have access.

ivangene

someone made a nice vid - I found taking the headlights out (10 second operation) gave me a better view of what was going on... you dont have to but you can, also I like the fender liner gone too... that was you dont have to pry and bend it

function12

Follow the video. Only issue I had (2 weeks ago) was the wheel liner. Remove one torx screw that is at the middle and the one a little above that. This will give you more room. Mine has the turbo front end so your might be different.
When you go to put it back on check your hood gaps and gap by the side markers before you start screwing things back together. I didn't and got to do it all over again.
Lots of crap stuck in between the rads.

redridge

If you néed more room in the wheel well area.... Just turn the steering wheel to make more room.

Ubermensch

When you re-install the bumper there's a preferred order for the fasteners. I believe it's the horizontal fasteners first and then the vertical fasteners. This didn't seem to make much of a difference on my stock bumper but I've found the aero bumper hard to get aligned properly without this step. I always end up checking the manual to make sure I'm doing it in the right order.

-Shawn

Barn996

As others have said, it's an easy DIY and the key is not fighting the inner fender liner, my hands took a beating because I didn't take them off, or remove a few more fasteners. Otherwise, just follow the video.

reynwerkes

A big +1 on this.
I have no idea how the guy in the video accomplished things without taking off the fender liner.

function12

One more thing is if you are laying your fastners on the ground from where they came out of is fine until to loosen the radiators. Once you do that a lot of crap is going to fall out and cover your fastners.

wings & wheels

Thanks to all for the feedback and especially the tips, sounds like a straightforward job. Little something to do during the salt season after Christmas.

I figured i'd solicit some thoughts from non-pro's who have actually done it. i've had too many 'straightforward' projects involve my sitting on the garage floor and cursing amidst a pile of stripped and rounded fasteners and Anchor Steam emptys...