Difficulty level: novice
Tools needed: T30 torx bit, 10mm wrench, 10mm socket, rachet with atleast a 12" extension, some type of tape.
Time: less than a half hour



-Remove 9-T30 torx screws from front bellypan (no need to remove the whole belly pan, as some would direct).

(sorry no pic)

-Remove 3-T30 torx screws from inner wheel well, each side. GENTLY pull inner well out around fender lip (note in photo "tricky" there is a 6m (10mm wrench) bolt inside, very tight area).




-Disconnect blinker, fog lamp (if equipped) harness, location is inside drivers side bumper skin behind blinker (US model)
-Remove radiator splash shield
-Remove 4-6m (10mm socket) bolts from upper headlamp assembly including grill bolt (note upper right corner photo "down there" yet another "tricky" bolt, removal is quite easy), No "man hands" are going to fit to put bolt(s) back in. Use tape to secure bolt to socket for installation.






-Grasp lower grill opening and gently pull out then up, mine I had to wiggle a bit.
-Installation reverse procedure

*If you are removing headlamp assembly there are another 4-6m (10mm socket) bolts located underneath the headlamp assembly, visable after the bumper skin is removed. Disconnect lamp wiring harness.

 

Hi Rick,

Nice job describing the procedure as well as the pics. I liked the tips you provided.

Mike

 

Great instructions, Rick. By the way, what were you doing to the car that required you to remove your bumper?

 

Wow!

twenty seven eight-by-ten colour glossy pictures with circles and arrows and a paragraph on the back of each one


Note: That was an Alice's Restaurant reference.

 

"...and it was a typical case of blind justice and I knew that the judge wasn't gonna look at the twenty-seven eight-by-ten color glossies with the circles and arrows and a paragraph on the back of each one explaining what each one was...."

With Thanksgiving approaching, it's time to break out my "Best of Arlo Guthrie" CD again. Thanks for reminding me....

 

Nice job! Be careful not to drop the 10mm socket down in the (tricky) side bolt area as I do every time.

 

Inquiring minds wanted to know Jon. I actually wanted to do alittle clean up behind it and the headlamp assemblies. I was having afew beers and said clean up time late Friday night. "My way of relaxing"

 

Thanks for the tips!

 

I have a 03 STR as well. Had to pull the car off the motor to get the supercharger off. Supercharger was making noise so I'm replacing the rear bearings. Hopefully it works. That bumper is a mess, by the way.

 

I think you really need to do a video version of this with a David Rose "The Stripper" soundtrack ...

 

I'm actually in the middle of doing this operation to switch my HIDs.

However, this does not explain how do I remove the headlight washer covers without breaking them. I already started by breaking one of them, and would like to avoid breaking the second one.

Can anybody advise?

Many thanks

 

agp sorry I cannot help as U vesion S types did not come with the headlamp washer. Maybe on of the Canadian brothers can help.

 

Old thread resurected I see.

Rick, nice writeup as usual. But you left out the part where the bolts are rusted to the J nuts which turn and rip a chunk of the plastic out. Then they just spin around till you die of old age.

 

Done deal, I can advise this is done by having a helper operate the washer and, as it pops out you have to hold it with your hands.

Then gently remove the plastic cover.

 

Jim, yah' know , I keep forgetting about "northern vehicles". Coming from the rust belt for almost 35 years, then moving here and replacing the northerns with southerns, MAAANNN one forgets really quick about what makes a simple job a PITA!

I am spoiled now!!!!

 

Happened to me

What's the fix?

 

Well you can grind the heads of the bolts off to get things apart. You have to be careful and stop when the heat builds up or the plastic gets melted. A wet rag is good. Of course you will need new j-nuts and bolts.

As for the damaged plasic, sometimes there is still enough tab left for the j-nut to get ahold of. If not they can be repaired with special adhesives. I use a product called Fusor #143. Only thing is it takes a special gun to dispence it and an adhesion promotor. So it's kinda pricey for a DIYer only fixing one bumper cover.

I'll be sure to use some anti-sieze when this one goes back together.

 

Aargh, I only just found your reply - thanks for it!

 

That's a nice work

 

I think this predates the Thanks system. Interesting to see that system retrospectively applies!