rosscarlson Posted March 15, 2009 Share Posted March 15, 2009 Guys, I have my car up on jack stands as I type this trying to take the front bumper off (to do my grill and clear my headlights). I've gotten all the pop-its from the bottom off and the two in the wheel wells. But it looks like there are 2 screws in there holding the sides of the bumper near the headlights (signal markers) that I can't see how to get out (you'd need a VERY short screwdriver for it). Am I right these screws have to come out? Is there something I'm missing? I'm totally at a loss, all the threads about removing the bumper make it sound so easy - HELP!!! Thanks, Ross Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LuckyBob Posted March 15, 2009 Share Posted March 15, 2009 The '08+ cars have six screws affixing the grille to the bumper. Four along the bottom of the grille (you can reach up from the large hole at the bottom of the bumper with a stubby #2 Phillips screwdriver to get to them), and one screw on each side of the grille. Those two are an absolute PITA to get out and will require a lot of bending plastic. Vacation pictures will help . Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
naimouasta Posted March 15, 2009 Share Posted March 15, 2009 once you get the pop-its out from bottom, grill area, and wheel wells, the bumper itself is clipped to the car below from the headlight to fender. just carefully pull both sides at the same time. the whole bumper should come out, then remove the grill which is screwed in from behind. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rtbrjason Posted March 18, 2009 Share Posted March 18, 2009 I'm seeing the same issues.. Impossible to get to screws seem to be holding it in place near the clips you take out in the wheel well area. I already have the grill out as well as all the popits along the bottom and in each wheel well. Edit: Attached is a pic of what the screw seems to be going into. This was taken from the area where my airbox sits. The front of the screw has about half an inch of clearance between the head and the inside of the bumper.. I see no way to get screw out. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mxbase Posted August 17, 2009 Share Posted August 17, 2009 Bump for an update if anyone has solved this mystery about these 2 screws. Thanks. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rosscarlson Posted August 17, 2009 Author Share Posted August 17, 2009 Yup, mystery solved. They don't come out, not with the bumper anyway. Once you've gotten all the above screws out (the ones you can reach in the wheel well) just pull, it's tab based and will just pop free without too much effort (I was scared to pull it at first too and then it just went pop! and came free). Give that a try? -Ross Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mxbase Posted August 17, 2009 Share Posted August 17, 2009 Wow thanks for the FAST reply Ross! I'll give it a try as I wanted to remove my grill but I don't think I can reach those screws holding the grill to the bumper so I figure I'll just remove the bumper. Just pull...I'll remember that Thanks again. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rosscarlson Posted August 17, 2009 Author Share Posted August 17, 2009 No sweat, I happened to be at my desk so easy to reply. And yeah, I seriously doubt you can get the grill off without taking the bumper off. I took mine off and sprayed my grill flat black - looks great, I get tons of compliments on it. You also have to take it off to clear the headlights (I painted mine too). Good luck, let me know if you get stuck... -Ross Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mxbase Posted August 17, 2009 Share Posted August 17, 2009 Yes I don't see how you can take the grill off without taking the bumper off first. Thanks for the assistance. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rtbrjason Posted August 17, 2009 Share Posted August 17, 2009 I got the grill off fairly easy, but never managed to get the bumper off.. Might try again eventually.. Really want to remove the amber and black out the lights. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mxbase Posted August 18, 2009 Share Posted August 18, 2009 I got the grill off fairly easy, but never managed to get the bumper off.. Might try again eventually.. Really want to remove the amber and black out the lights. How did you reach the screws on the backside of the grill? Thanks. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rtbrjason Posted August 19, 2009 Share Posted August 19, 2009 Stuck hand down behind grill. Fed phillips head screwdriver through grill to hand. Removed 6 screws. When I put it back together I didn't bother replacing any of the screws and it's been fine. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mxbase Posted August 19, 2009 Share Posted August 19, 2009 Stuck hand down behind grill. Fed phillips head screwdriver through grill to hand. Removed 6 screws. When I put it back together I didn't bother replacing any of the screws and it's been fine. My arm doesn't fit between the radiator and the top black plastic part of the grill. Time to find a friend with a skinny arm Thanks. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rtbrjason Posted August 19, 2009 Share Posted August 19, 2009 Mine barely did either, but I was able to get it after some trial and error with it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Squiden Posted August 20, 2009 Share Posted August 20, 2009 Personally, I found just pulling off the bumper was way easier than trying to reach the screws for the grill. You can literally pull the bumper in under 10-minutes. It is a little un-nerving the first time yanking it out of the side fenders, but once you've done it once, it's a no-brainer. I would recommend putting a rug or towel down under the bumper just in case you lose your grip when you pull out the second side. But it really is worth it Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rosscarlson Posted August 20, 2009 Author Share Posted August 20, 2009 Nice looking grill there Squiden... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Squiden Posted August 20, 2009 Share Posted August 20, 2009 Thanks! I plan to do a quick write-up on how I made it (it's really not too bad once you know all the "gotchas") - hopefully this weekend I'll find some time. Squid Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BradyCat Posted August 22, 2009 Share Posted August 22, 2009 Any tricks to getting the bumper back on? Is it easier than removing? 2013 Ford Taurus SHO 2009 Spec.B SWP Stg 2+ Airboy tuned 2010 Toyota Sequoia Platinum 5.7 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Squiden Posted August 22, 2009 Share Posted August 22, 2009 Actually, yes. I find putting the bumper back on to be about 3x harder than taking it off, especially if you don't have help. Getting the sides to line back up isn't too hard, but I have a hell of a time with some of the popits fitting back in nicely. Perhaps I just have large hands, but getting the ones in the wheel-well and the one centered on the bumper are just a pain-in-the-ass. That said, it still only takes 15 minutes to get the bumper fully mounted (and that's being very careful to not scratch the paint). I've now had the bumper off-and-back on 3 times, and have had no unsolvable issues. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BradyCat Posted August 22, 2009 Share Posted August 22, 2009 Love your grill Squiden, that must have been a tough fit - isn't that for JDM bumpers? What type of front turn signal light bulb do you use? 2013 Ford Taurus SHO 2009 Spec.B SWP Stg 2+ Airboy tuned 2010 Toyota Sequoia Platinum 5.7 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Squiden Posted August 22, 2009 Share Posted August 22, 2009 Nope, I made the grill (to look like the JDM one). I'll hopefully post the how-to tonight or tomorrow morning - really not too bad once you know about all the "gotchas" The ones in the photos are still the stock bulbs - I've since replaced them with Silverstars. I'd highly recommand the Silverstars if you are going to clear the corners (otherwise the orange is highly visable). Squid Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BradyCat Posted August 23, 2009 Share Posted August 23, 2009 Do you happen to remember the bulb part # for the new Silverstar's? Is it the ones that look clear and blink orange? 2013 Ford Taurus SHO 2009 Spec.B SWP Stg 2+ Airboy tuned 2010 Toyota Sequoia Platinum 5.7 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Squiden Posted August 23, 2009 Share Posted August 23, 2009 You are in luck that I still have the package. They are "Silverstar 3357A ST / 3457A ST". The best way to describe them is an amber bulb with an pearl overcoating. Some people call them as "iridescent", which is a pretty fitting description. Here is a close-up shot to give a better feel. http://i818.photobucket.com/albums/zz106/squiden/car_front_down_side.jpg Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BradyCat Posted August 23, 2009 Share Posted August 23, 2009 Perfect, thanks! 2013 Ford Taurus SHO 2009 Spec.B SWP Stg 2+ Airboy tuned 2010 Toyota Sequoia Platinum 5.7 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mkeGT Posted August 6, 2011 Share Posted August 6, 2011 The '08+ cars have six screws affixing the grille to the bumper. Four along the bottom of the grille (you can reach up from the large hole at the bottom of the bumper with a stubby #2 Phillips screwdriver to get to them), and one screw on each side of the grille. Those two are an absolute PITA to get out and will require a lot of bending plastic. Vacation pictures will help . serious zombie-bump, but have you tried using a ratcheting 1/4" box wrench and a phillips bit? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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