How to remove front bumper?

bstone · 03-02-2006, 01:43 AM

I had a low speed run in with a center concrete divide a few months ago. Real bad snow storm, only going 30mph with 4wd on. Front left hit the wall, but I was able to drive away. The front bumper is all dented and I'd like to take it off and put a new one on. There is a bone yard down the road that says they have one for a few bucks.

How do I take it off?

**section525** · 03-02-2006, 01:55 AM

Four bolts. At the front of the frame rails.

bstone · 03-02-2006, 01:56 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by section525

Four bolts. At the front of the frame rails.

Thanks!

As I am a newbie: how long would you think this takes?

What size bolts?

Con Seann3ry · 03-02-2006, 02:01 AM

Don't remember the size but it's as simple as loosening 4 bolts. Takes however long you need to get those undone. Can be a minute or 20 minutes. If you're really worried about it spray some penetrating spray the night before or something, but they have never been too tough on my rig.

**section525** · 03-02-2006, 02:01 AM

I think they're.. 13/16. Maybe. I'm not sure. It's about a 7 minute job.

bstone · 03-02-2006, 02:04 AM

Gee, thanks for the help. Am I right to assume that there are two bolts on either end of the frame rail? I'll have to climb under/behind the bumper to get at the bolts? How would I physically access these bolts?

So sorry for the newbie questions. My first time doing it. You all are so kind!

marragtop · 03-02-2006, 08:52 AM

Make sure you get the supports that bolt onto the frame rail, in case yours are bent.

aldive · 03-02-2006, 08:57 AM

On my '99, the nuts are 18 mm ( 4 of them ).

Bumper removal is a 10 minute job.

Good luck ....

*Jason94sport* · 03-02-2006, 10:09 AM

On a 1st gen....

4 bolts, 2 on each side of the frame rails. You will need a socket & an open end wrench, or any combination of the 2. I don't remember the sizes.
You will also need to take off the lower valance if the new bumper doesn't have it & you want to x-fer it. Those are bolts also. It's not too hard, but those bolts can be really tight.
You might have to align it after you loosely tighten the bolts.

'97 V8 · 03-02-2006, 10:14 AM

alighnment is bitch in this. oh and make sure someone helps you with the lowering of the bumper. i sorta lost my grip and it fell on me.

bstone · 03-02-2006, 03:40 PM

I'm a bit bloody, frustrated and confused.

Went ot the auto parts store and finally got the right socket- 1" long 3/4". Also got this "arm" thing that attached to it. Part of the problem is this "skirt" which protrudes down from the bumper about 2 or 3 inches. It is simply in the way. When I went to remove it's bolts I realized I am not strong enough (even with spraying the BB stuff) unless I get side arm, not a straight one. I'll pick that up tomorrow as I am out of day light and don't have a light garage to work in.

I did change the MAF sensor for a new one. Already I notice big improvements in idling and such.

Time for dinner.

03-02-2006, 01:43 AM	#1
bstone Wannabe Elite Explorer Boston, MA 93 Explorer XLT 4wd 4dr Join Date: Mar 2004 Posts: 56 Vehicle Specs (Original Poster)	How to remove front bumper? I had a low speed run in with a center concrete divide a few months ago. Real bad snow storm, only going 30mph with 4wd on. Front left hit the wall, but I was able to drive away. The front bumper is all dented and I'd like to take it off and put a new one on. There is a bone yard down the road that says they have one for a few bucks. How do I take it off?

03-02-2006, 01:55 AM	#2
section525 sextion525 Red Bluff, Ca 1975 Ford Bronco 4x4 Join Date: Feb 2001 Posts: 14,909 Vehicle Specs	Four bolts. At the front of the frame rails. __________________ Support the Forum '13 3.5 Explorer '08 2.0 Focus '75 5.0 Bronco '04 6.0 Super Duty

03-02-2006, 02:01 AM	#4
Con Seann3ry Wannabe Elite Explorer Eugene, Oregon 94 XLT Join Date: Sep 2003 Posts: 552 Vehicle Specs	Don't remember the size but it's as simple as loosening 4 bolts. Takes however long you need to get those undone. Can be a minute or 20 minutes. If you're really worried about it spray some penetrating spray the night before or something, but they have never been too tough on my rig. __________________ http://www.cardomain.com/id/conseannery

03-02-2006, 02:01 AM	#5
section525 sextion525 Red Bluff, Ca 1975 Ford Bronco 4x4 Join Date: Feb 2001 Posts: 14,909 Vehicle Specs	I think they're.. 13/16. Maybe. I'm not sure. It's about a 7 minute job. __________________ Support the Forum '13 3.5 Explorer '08 2.0 Focus '75 5.0 Bronco '04 6.0 Super Duty

03-02-2006, 08:52 AM	#7
marragtop Wannabe Elite Explorer balt, md 91 xlt, 92 xlt, 95 xlt Join Date: Apr 2001 Posts: 2,074 Vehicle Specs	Make sure you get the supports that bolt onto the frame rail, in case yours are bent. __________________ '88 F150 4x4 '91 Explorer XLT 4x4 '92 Explorer XLT 4x4 '95 Explorer XLT 4x4 If it don't = 16 (4x4), it ain't worth driving...

03-02-2006, 02:04 AM	#6
bstone Wannabe Elite Explorer Boston, MA 93 Explorer XLT 4wd 4dr Join Date: Mar 2004 Posts: 56 Vehicle Specs (Original Poster)	Gee, thanks for the help. Am I right to assume that there are two bolts on either end of the frame rail? I'll have to climb under/behind the bumper to get at the bolts? How would I physically access these bolts? So sorry for the newbie questions. My first time doing it. You all are so kind!

03-02-2006, 08:57 AM	#8
aldive Elite In Memoriam 1999 XLT Join Date: Jan 2001 Posts: 25,271 Vehicle Specs	On my '99, the nuts are 18 mm ( 4 of them ). Bumper removal is a 10 minute job. Good luck .... __________________ Al Franklin My truck My Quest for 30 RIP Al Franklin! 1947-2010. Gone but not forgotten! :(

03-02-2006, 10:09 AM	#9
Jason94sport Elite Explorer South FL 93 Sport 2WD 5 speed Join Date: Apr 2001 Posts: 3,471 Vehicle Specs	On a 1st gen.... 4 bolts, 2 on each side of the frame rails. You will need a socket & an open end wrench, or any combination of the 2. I don't remember the sizes. You will also need to take off the lower valance if the new bumper doesn't have it & you want to x-fer it. Those are bolts also. It's not too hard, but those bolts can be really tight. You might have to align it after you loosely tighten the bolts.

03-02-2006, 10:14 AM	#10
'97 V8 Wannabe Elite Explorer Lima, Ohio '97 mounty 5.0 4x4 baby!! Join Date: Apr 2005 Posts: 3,696 Vehicle Specs	alighnment is bitch in this. oh and make sure someone helps you with the lowering of the bumper. i sorta lost my grip and it fell on me. __________________ 1997 Mercury Mountaineer 4x4 V8 3" bl, manual t-case. Dana 60/14 bolt combo with 36x13.5x17 iroks on H2 rims. 5.13's. Future plan: 3.9 or 5.9 Turbo diesel cummins

03-02-2006, 03:40 PM	#11
bstone Wannabe Elite Explorer Boston, MA 93 Explorer XLT 4wd 4dr Join Date: Mar 2004 Posts: 56 Vehicle Specs (Original Poster)	I'm a bit bloody, frustrated and confused. Went ot the auto parts store and finally got the right socket- 1" long 3/4". Also got this "arm" thing that attached to it. Part of the problem is this "skirt" which protrudes down from the bumper about 2 or 3 inches. It is simply in the way. When I went to remove it's bolts I realized I am not strong enough (even with spraying the BB stuff) unless I get side arm, not a straight one. I'll pick that up tomorrow as I am out of day light and don't have a light garage to work in. I did change the MAF sensor for a new one. Already I notice big improvements in idling and such. Time for dinner.