81 Bumper Removal
Team Owner
Joined: Jun 2000
Posts: 38,923
Likes: 1,481
From: Southbound
Cruise-In II Veteran
Do you have the assembly instruction manual (AIM)? The AIM shows how the bumper cover was installed (essentially it's bolt on); remove it and you have access to all the actual crash bumper hardware.
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 430
Likes: 0
From: Marlow OK
No, do not have the AIM, but have removed a front bumper from a 1977. Assuming its largely the same process for an 81; unhook the parking lights and the bumper cover is held on to the body by a series of nuts/bolts around the perimeter.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Oct 2011
Posts: 956
Likes: 86
From: McDonough Georgia
There are 20 or so 10mm nuts that hold the bumper on. Most of these are accessible with a 1/4 inch drive ratchet with an extension. If the bumper is stock, then you'll figure out real quick that these are not real nuts holding them on, but rather those stamped steel nuts that bend easily if reasonable care is not taken.
You will have to remove the valance to get up there, and the four nuts in the center between the lights are a bit of a pain. In fact, it is much easier if you remove the lights altogether.
I have seen where some people simply take a dremel tool and run it along the seam between the bumper and fiberglass thereby cutting the bolts.
Above the marker lights there are 4 or five more nuts. BEWARE, the one right on the corner where the bumper turns is actually a stud. So is the one at the end by the wheel. These studs break off very easily as the stamped nut tends to be rusted here.
Team Owner
Joined: Jun 2000
Posts: 38,923
Likes: 1,481
From: Southbound
Cruise-In II Veteran
Burning Brakes
Joined: Oct 2011
Posts: 956
Likes: 86
From: McDonough Georgia
Only costs 24.00 for a new set.
I am confused about the "fiberglass bracing". All of the retainers go through the fiberglass lip and are bolted. There isn' t even a gasket. The honeycomb is simply some sort of plastic that is bolted on.
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Safety Car
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 3,691
Likes: 833
From: WI
You should be able to figure it out. Jack up and support with jackstands so you get your arm up (waaaay up) in there with a 1/4" ratchet and socket. You'll need some extensions and maybe a swivel. A few retainers on the side but these are all pretty obvious. Give it a try..
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