ltcjmramos

I need some help!!

Maybe I'm doing it wrong, which would not be surprising, but I'm having a terrible time reinstalling the bumper after installing the Cargraphic grills I bought from XLR8N-Fan. The bumper removal went easily. The installation of the grills seem to go OK, but I cannot get the bumper to go back on.

Do the grills go in the channel around the openings? Seem to fit quite nicely. But I can't get the center duct to fit over the installed grill, so the bumper will not reseat.

Help!

StevoUK

Hi do you mind if I post the pms I sent you?

StevoUK

I fitted (not fully tight) the centre top screws first then the two in the indicator repeater area - this gave a starting set up and alignment.
Then I fitted the screws below the bumper (not fully tight) - making sure that the tabs were on the correct side.
The top centre screws only get tightened when you are sure that the gap to the bumper/hood and bumper/headlight is even. Then tighten the side screws and recheck the alignment. When its aligned tighten the ones below the bumper.

Note also that I did not remove the wheel arch lining to get at the side screw that comes up behind it - I simply manoevered the lining out of the way by removing the visible fastenings - I even left the wheel on.




Quote:
Originally Posted by ltcjmramos
Please send pics to Much appreciated.

I'm able to get the top screws on each side in, but can't get that middle section to fit.

What did you do with the temp sensor, also?

Quote:
Originally Posted by StevoUK
Hi
I pondered about the centre duct for a while and in the end did not fit the grill to it.
My reason was that the 3D shape of the opening was difficult to fit the aluminium mesh to. (it would have meant curves in the mesh that I wasn't happy being hassled with.) I will later fit plastic mesh when I find some since it will be easier to work with. Meanwhile I revert to my previous solution which is a cylinder of green garden mesh stuffed into the opening! Has the advantage that it can be removed for debris cleaning.

The mesh fitted to the sides was much easier because it could be installed as a flat mesh, I left room for the rubber vents to still fit in the groove as before and drilled small holes in the black plastic surround so I could use cable ties to hold the mesh on.

If you give me an email address I will send the full size pictures so you can zoom in and see clearly.

Note that it was easier to fit the bumper by supporting it with the towing eye until I could get the top screws in next to the hood release lever.

Glad to help.
John


Quote:
Originally Posted by ltcjmramos
I need some help!!

Maybe I'm doing it wrong, which would not be surprising, but I'm having a terrible time reinstalling the bumper after installing the Cargraphic grills I bought from XLR8N-Fan. The bumper removal went easily. The installation of the grills seem to go OK, but I cannot get the bumper to go back on.

Do the grills go in the channel around the openings? Seem to fit quite nicely, and from the pic you posted seems to be the way to go . But I can't get the center duct to fit over the installed grill, so the bumper will not reseat.

Help!

StevoUK

Centre vent cylinder (Green garden mesh sprayed black!)

ltcjmramos

Got it done!!! It was a case of lack of muscle. Steve's suggestion to attach at the side markers worked fine once I got a buddy to help me push it into position. Once attached, everything lined up much more cleanly than I thought it would.

Steve, thanks for all the help!!

StevoUK

Good job!

ltcjmramos

For info, not counting the breaks I took to make my pleas for help and lunch and waiting for my buddy, the job should take about 3-3.5 hours. And you do not need to remove the frame inside the bumper, but do need to relocate the temp sensor. Also, I think it's easier to significantly loosen the wheel liner to get at the inside screw.

Holger B

Joe, post up some pics!

ltcjmramos

Looks like all the others, but will do later.

BTW, the job is more like 2.5-3 hours, and even less with 2 guys doing it.

ltcjmramos

The car's in the garage, so not very good lighting, and the flash washes it out some. I'll take better on Saturday when I'm out.

Holger B

Looks sharp!

ltcjmramos

Forgot to provide this comment on Steve's instructions. Seems there is a difference in how his GT3RS's bumper is attached and how my GT3's is. Don't know if it's a model difference, or a UK/US difference, but my US GT3 does not have screws at the center top. My top screws are at each side closer to the lights. I found that attaching the bumper by the screws at the side markers worked fine. In fact, I would recommend against trying to attach at the top screws (if they're like mine) as they seem rather flimsy to hold the bumper while you're playing with it.