Removing Rear Bumper ?!?!?!?
Thread Starter
Heel & Toe
Joined: Sep 2002
Posts: 24
Likes: 0
Removing Rear Bumper ?!?!?!?
I am replacing the nasty, craked, warped polyurethane rear bumper on my '75 with a new fiberglass one. I have instructions in my Haynes manual, but I can seem to get to certain bolts.
I've taken the bolts out from behind each tail light and from behind the license plate. The next step is to take 14 bolts out of the retainer strip. I have taken 4 out of each side, but it took forever (like half an hour per nut!), and the only tool that I could use was a tiny open end wrench. If I look up to the top, I can see each of the remaining 6 bolts that run across the top of the bumper, but how in the world do you reach them???? and what is the appropriate tool here?? A ratchet and socket seem too big for the job.
HELP!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! !!!!!!!!!!
:mad :crazy: :mad :crazy: :cry :cry :cry :( :( :cuss :cuss :skep:
I've taken the bolts out from behind each tail light and from behind the license plate. The next step is to take 14 bolts out of the retainer strip. I have taken 4 out of each side, but it took forever (like half an hour per nut!), and the only tool that I could use was a tiny open end wrench. If I look up to the top, I can see each of the remaining 6 bolts that run across the top of the bumper, but how in the world do you reach them???? and what is the appropriate tool here?? A ratchet and socket seem too big for the job.
HELP!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! !!!!!!!!!!
:mad :crazy: :mad :crazy: :cry :cry :cry :( :( :cuss :cuss :skep:
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jan 2000
Posts: 8,918
Likes: 27
From: New Hill NC
Re: Removing Rear Bumper ?!?!?!? (spinealigner)
Ugh, You are not saving the old bumper are you? Take a razor knife and cut the rubber bumper off the car an inch from the edge. Then you can get to them.
Race Director
Joined: Jun 2001
Posts: 16,483
Likes: 1
From: The Only Corvette in Gila Bend, Az.
St. Jude Donor '09
Re: Removing Rear Bumper ?!?!?!? (spinealigner)
I agree too.
I Just had to laugh at your name..."spinealigner" Very funny :lol:
Best one I have seen in awhile...Is it your occupation?
I Just had to laugh at your name..."spinealigner" Very funny :lol:
Best one I have seen in awhile...Is it your occupation?
Thread Starter
Heel & Toe
Joined: Sep 2002
Posts: 24
Likes: 0
Re: Removing Rear Bumper ?!?!?!? (spinealigner)
Yes, I am a chiropractor.
Okay, that solves my problem for removal, but I still wil have to get at those bolts to put the new bumper on. How do you do that and what tool do you use? Surely someone on here has done this before.
Okay, that solves my problem for removal, but I still wil have to get at those bolts to put the new bumper on. How do you do that and what tool do you use? Surely someone on here has done this before.
Racer
Joined: Mar 2003
Posts: 282
Likes: 0
From: London
Re: Removing Rear Bumper ?!?!?!? (Desertdawg)
I took mine off a few years ago to have it re-painted .... i think i used a small spanner to take off the upper bolts, they were very awkward to get to and yes, it did take me AGES... but it is possible.
... i think i have a photo somewhere, of my car without the bumper if you need some encouragement!!
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jun 2002
Posts: 8,339
Likes: 24
From: I can walk to MA
Re: Removing Rear Bumper ?!?!?!? (Skeets)
There are some aluminum supports that were used for keeping the poly
bumper in shape and in place. These supports were removed before my
fiberglass bumper was installed by the previous owner. With these supports
removed, it was quite easy to wrench off all the bolts.
I can try and dig up some pics (none online right now).
:seeya
bumper in shape and in place. These supports were removed before my
fiberglass bumper was installed by the previous owner. With these supports
removed, it was quite easy to wrench off all the bolts.
I can try and dig up some pics (none online right now).
:seeya
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Racer
Joined: Feb 2000
Posts: 437
Likes: 0
From: Fletcher OK
Re: Removing Rear Bumper ?!?!?!? (spinealigner)
Heres what I(Bubba) did. I took a valve cover spreader, ran a bolt through it, and put duct tape over that to hold it in place while starting the nut. I did not use a new metal piece. I used regular bolts and nuts, duct tape and those SBC valve cover spreaders. Worked very good. Been 4 years with no complaints. :cheers:
[Modified by Chucks76, 2:30 PM 3/17/2003]
[Modified by Chucks76, 2:30 PM 3/17/2003]
Team Owner
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 21,457
Likes: 463
From: Massillon,Ohio USA
2020 C3 of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
Cruise-In VI Veteran
St. Jude Donor '08-'09-'10-'11-'12
Re: Removing Rear Bumper ?!?!?!? (Chucks76)
I also "cut off" my '75's rear bumper near the edge of the fiberglass with razor knife, then, took a handheld 90*grinder and ground out each individual "stud" in the retainer and "popped" it through. Was done in less than 1 hour :yesnod: 
Instructor
Joined: Nov 2002
Posts: 167
Likes: 0
From: Homer City Pa
Re: Removing Rear Bumper ?!?!?!? (74BBcherryred)
Iagree cut the old one off and buy your self a ratched wrench for the size you need Dave :auto:
