Front bumper trim

[Gunny3053]

Hi Gang...1993 Ford Explorer XLT

New here.

I need to replace the rubber/plastic what ever you want to call it, on my front bumper. I want to save the old one to give to a friend, so I want to remove it as careful as I can.

Now they keep talking about clips that hold the trim onto the bumper, I have looked and I see no clips. Also they talk about a special tool needed or to make it easier to remove the trim.

I figure once I remove the old one it will be clear how to put on the new one. So any tips on making this removal.? Some even say it is easier if you remove the whole bumper, I really don't think that step is nec.

Thanx.....Gunny

 

[FIND]

The clips are part of the strip and press into little holes in the bumper.... You can wedge a screwdriver back behind one end of the strip and pry it outwards and back, but chances are you will break the little clip since it is pretty old. You may be ok though. If you are going to replace yours, first order your new one, then look at that. It will be clear after you see it.

 

[Gunny3053]

Hi Find

Thanx for the info.

So I guess you are saying the chances of getting the old one off in one piece is pretty close to 0. Heard anything about the special tool.? Would it be like some sort of spoon or pry bar.?

And you are saying to do this prying on the front of the bumper.? I tried this a little, and nothing seemed to be giving, so I thought I would ask the forum here. I guess it is held on there pretty good so it is going to take some serious prying.

Thanx.....Gunny

 

[Corrupt_Reverend]

They're not bad. You'll need to remove the bumper though.

Here's a run down:

1. Unbolt the 2 studded brackets that attach the bumper to the frame (2 big nuts on either side)
2. Remove brackets and pull off bumper.
3. Remove both bumper brackets from the bumper to access the clips that are behind it. (IIRC there are 5 bolts per bracket. Two on the outer supports and three in front of where it bolts to the chassis.)
4. Working from one side, use a pair of pliers to squeeze the clips and push them through the bumper. (Be sure to keep them squished because the bumper metal will shave off the barbs making them a little loose after re-installation.)**
5. that's it, just take your time and work your way across.

* There are four bolts at the inner most bumper brackets but one of them is a stud that doesn't need to be removed. Also, for the bolts that are behind the trim piece; use a flat blade screw driver to pry up on the nut as you loosen it. This will keep the bumper bolt seated in the square hole and keep you from rounding the hole, or the bolt. (Not to mention getting extremely frustrated at the spinning bolt.)

** There are also barbs at the top and bottom of the center openings of the trim piece.


~Rev

P.S. Below is a picture of the center part of a bumper bracket. You can see what I mean by only having to remove 3 nuts.

BTW, That's not the whole thing. I cut off the part that extends out and back for my application.

 

[FIND]

Hi Find

Thanx for the info.

So I guess you are saying the chances of getting the old one off in one piece is pretty close to 0. Heard anything about the special tool.? Would it be like some sort of spoon or pry bar.?

And you are saying to do this prying on the front of the bumper.? I tried this a little, and nothing seemed to be giving, so I thought I would ask the forum here. I guess it is held on there pretty good so it is going to take some serious prying.

Thanx.....Gunny

Pliers from the back, like reverend said. If you don't remove the bumper, you can pry it off, but you will damage the clips like I said.

 

[Gunny3053]

Hi Gang

Sorry so slow in getting back to the forum here. Great pictures and explanations. I really appreciate it. Now that I look at it more, it does make sense to take the bumper off. Why struggle.? No big deal.

Well thanx again for all the help. I think that article I read about there being a special tool for this, was mistaken. Maybe the special tool was some Elbow grease.

Thanx....Gunny