`91 Bumper cover replacement

[entirelyturbo]

Yes, guys, I'm back, read my new post in the Misc forum. Feels great to return!

Anyway, my old, scraped-up from my stupid mistake back in January, bumper cover is coming off tomorrow night...

I got a new cover, absorber, all the various retainers and screws from the dealer for a cool $400 something, and that's discounted... . And I'm getting the bumper shot all day tomorrow for $65, that's good at least

I'm also assuming the metal bumper beam was not damaged

I know the front end has to come off, all lights, headlights, parking lights, turn signals (my `91 has the lower ones in the bumper), and there are plenty of screws and retainers, etc. etc.

Anyone do this before? Any tips? I feel confident that I know how to do it, I've taken a few ganders at manuals and such, just wondering if anyone with past experience has any special tips to make it smooth...

TIA...

[nubs]

I know the front end has to come off, all lights, headlights, parking lights, turn signals (my `91 has the lower ones in the bumper), and there are plenty of screws and retainers, etc. etc.

Anyone do this before? Any tips? I feel confident that I know how to do it, I've taken a few ganders at manuals and such, just wondering if anyone with past experience has any special tips to make it smooth...

TIA...

I have never taken a Legacy bumper off,but I have taken a SVX bumper off and it appears to be the same set up. I really don't think all of the parts that you listed have to come off.I am pretty sure all you need to do unbolt or un-clip where the bumper cover attach's to the fenders.Probably the fenderwell liners also need to be disconnected
Then open up the hood and take out the two large bolts on each side that hold the entire bumper onto the frame rail. The whole assembly should then be able to pull off of the car.
It will then be real easy to take the cover off.
This is only theory so you may want to look it over. You are going to have to take loose what I suggested anyway,so might as well do those parts first and give it a try.

[ciper]

Ive taken the entire front of the car apart before, including the side fenders! If someone wants to host an image for me I could show you, its pretty wild looking.

My bumper beam was damaged but I was able to bend it back into shape.

400? Why not goto the junkyard and grab the whole front end but take the skin to a shop and have them paint it before installation?


Probably the hardest part is getting the two bolts that are right below/behind the side markers that hold the bumper skin to the fender. They are pretty deap inside.

One suggestion, remove both wheels and remove both black plastic splash gaurds completly. The headlights are really easy to remove, as long as you have a tool that can easily fit between the battery and the nut.

DONT use a screw driver on those large flat bolts below the bumper cover unless they are loose.

The grill should come off with zero effort. If it doesnt come off right away you missed a clip.

Ask any questions you have during the procedure, it wasnt that long ago when I took mine apart so I remember most of it. BTW the one I did this to was a 91 LSI. I had two 90's to use as guides in case I couldn't remember where something went.

I dont understand why you want to take the whole front apart though. You dont have to remove headlights to get the bumper off.

[entirelyturbo]

Thanks for the tips, ciper.

Unfortunately, junkyards here in FL hardly EVER have BC-BF's in, petridish38 can tell you the same thing...

However, there was one that I snagged the PS pump I still have , a few trim pieces, and a MAF and airbox, so I took good advantage of it.

I've taken most of my front apart before, except the bumper cover, so I know about that. Headlights I can take out blindfolded ... and the grill a chimpanzee should be able to take out blindfolded

I am going to take the headlights off because I bought another used set off eBay, what sucks is they were separate auctions with different sellers, and the right one is simply the plastic part, meaning I'll have to take mine out of its bracket and then adjust it when I get it on

[petridish38]

I've been all over central Florida looking for a legacy in a junkyard! I found one about 2 years ago and there was no engine or transmission and the inside was almost gone! I need to drive up to Colorado or something... ROAD TRIP!!!

[entirelyturbo]

Well, it's done. I started taking the old bumper off last night about 8pm, thinking I would have the whole thing done by 9 or 10....

After taking that 2 hours just to get the old one off, I decided to call it a night. I parked it in my garage with the whole front end off the car

I just finished putting the new one on about an hour ago. It's one of the more tedious things I've done with the car.

Ciper, you were right about the bolts under the side markers, they are a biatch. Especially the passenger one, the snorkus in the fender really makes things difficult on that side.

However, I wanted to add to your statement that it would be helpful to remove the front wheels and fender liners. I found it nearly impossible to get the old one off with that stuff still attached, and I knew trying to put the new one on without removing them was out of the question.

My bumper beam was ever so slightly indented in the center, but not enough to affect the installation of the new bumper.

So if any of you need to do it, just remember it is a several (5 or more) hour job.

I'm still not 100% done, I somehow lost track of the nuts that hold the headlight bracket to the core support on the outer sides of the lights, so the only thing holding them there now are the bolts toward the centers of them...

I should have pics soon.