So I have removed the 4 screws in the engine bay, two under the center (by the cats) and three on either side of the tires. I am able to pop the sides out and slide back a bit with no issues. However the centers are not budging. My thoughts as to why, is the bumperetts (ugly black things around the license plate on US cars) are still on. I have to buy a long extension to remove those bolts, but am curious if this needs to be done.

All the DIY's I've seen do not mention removing these or the license plate bracket.

Thanks in advance

 

Sounds like a 1999-2001 car? Indeed those have to be removed. You shouldn't need a long extension.

 

Yes, the bolt at the bottom of the bumperettes need to be removed. Ahmet beat me to it...

 

Thanks everyone. I'll remove those tomorrow. Hopefully the cats come off easy enough....the bolts connecting to the headers look pretty rusty

 

Be careful not to rip the license plate lighting wire harness when you are pulling the bumper cover off, there is a connector that needs to be disconnected first.

 

I finally had a chance to re-look at removing the bumperetts. I cannot get a grip to remove them, any advise on this? Lefty loosy like most, or opposite thread? Which tool is best, should I just whip out the drill?

 

It's a standard bolt, not reverse thread, should be straight forward, just need a short extension to ensure the socket reaches the bolt head properly.

Shine a flashlight into the recess so you can see what you are dealing with, and the head isn't rounded or anything odd.

 

Avio, that is what I was hoping, it looks like a hex bolt with a bored out center, but pretty rounded off. I stuck a long allen wrench in there into the center hole and it fit, but couldn't get any torque

 

I was wrong, it is a 6mm hex bit, not a bolt, I just went to the garage and checked.

It's been a while so I don't quite recall how the bolts screw into the bracket, i.e. was the bracket itself threaded or if a threaded insert is pressed into the bracket.

 

Yup 6 mm to remove bumperette. 1 bolt under each one.

I just used a 3/8 ratchet w/ an extension (although it don't need to be long) and 6mm bit.

The left/right selector mechanism on my craftsman rachet was pointed to the right!

Didn't even have to take bolt off I think. Just loosen it enough to tilt the bumperette down. (Pay attention how it works for when you in gotta put it back on!)