Rear Bumper Cover Removal

[Safety Guy]

The Haynes manual seems to imply that I have to remove the whole rear bumper to get the cover off. Is this right, or can the cover be removed without taking the bumper off? Has anyone done this?

I'm getting ready to install my trailer hitch so I can mount my bike rack.

Thanks,

Karl

[stefan]

nope, the bumper has to come off. there are clips ontop of the skin that you cant get at without taking off the cover.

[wrestler3025]

It's easier to take the whole thing off Karl. There are 4 bolts on the inside, and there are 2 on the outside. If you want to take the cover off after you get the bumper off, it will be much easier to access all the hardware.

[Safety Guy]

Okay, got it. Thanks guys!

I think I'll have to refit the bare bumper to line up my drill holes in the bumper and the wheel well using the hitch as a template. Then bolt the hitch to the bumper, slitting the bumper cover for the hitch tongue (maybe) if it comes to that. Put cover back on and install bumper, then put in the wheel well bolts.

I'll get my Dad to help. He should be there.

Thanks again,

Karl

[wrestler3025]

No problem Karl. I forgot to mention in the wheel well there is a bolt there as well.

[Safety Guy]

Thanks again!

I'll try to remember to take pics and maybe do a tutorial on hitch installation.

Karl

[25Horseplay]

My hitch mounts under the car, bolts to the tie downs and wheel well. Don't have to remove the cover at all.

[Safety Guy]

Brian, mine isn't that wide. It bolts to the wheel well and underside of the bumper. Hopefully I'll get it mounted and have it for the next meet.

Karl

[Festiva_tunner]

Brian, mine isn't that wide. It bolts to the wheel well and underside of the bumper. Hopefully I'll get it mounted and have it for the next meet.

Karl

where are the chain hooks located at?

[25Horseplay]

^^It has a slide in receiver, the chains hook on the side where it slides in.

[Safety Guy]

I just have a simple flat tongue with the hitch ball screwed in.

Hitch is INSTALLED!

Bike rack ain't.

Can't get the @#$%^# ball off the hitch!! My 15" crescent wrench wouldn't do it, and I borrowed a large socket set. It fit a 1 and 1/8" socket and I used my 2' breaker bar. THE BALL TURNS BUT DOESN'T LOOSEN!

Crap. All that work and still no bike rack. I may have to go to some trailer place to see if they can remove my hitch ball.

On the positive side, the hitch seems pretty solid and I only am using half the provided bolts right now. I'll finish the install when I can get that ball off.

MURPHY STRIKES AGAIN!

Karl

PS: Currently running with no bumper cover in back. Looks not so nice.

[25Horseplay]

We'll get it off next week at OS! I'll bring the tools!!!!!!!!!

[Safety Guy]

I went to U-Haul and it took a guy about 15 minutes and an air tool to finally remove it!

Cost me ten bucks plus I gave the guy a five as a tip, I was so happy to have it off.

Now to finish it up. Two more holes, four more bolts, and install the rest of the bumper to make it look nice.

Thanks for the help ya'll!

Karl

[wrestler3025]

That's really cool that you tipped the guy a five. You bought the guy lunch basically, and I'm sure he appreciated it. Glad you got it done!

[Safety Guy]

Lunch...or at least a snack!

Karl