Front panel lifting
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Jul 2015
Posts: 139
Likes: 7
From: sherman oaks ca
Front panel lifting
Need some help or advice on my 06 vert. I'm not mechanically inclined so this fix might be above my pay grade. The front panel running across the car and stopping at the headlight is lifting at the point. It looks like their is a pin underneath it fits into but it keeps popping up when I push down. Hopefully my explanation makes sense. My question is does fender and light need to come off to get to it or is it accessible any other way. Appreciate any advice I can get. This might be a body shop job.
Thanks
Thanks
Last edited by bikingles; Dec 8, 2017 at 06:08 PM.
Popular Reply
Dec 8, 2017, 01:49 PM
Race Director
Joined: Apr 2014
Posts: 15,063
Likes: 4,745
From: Washington Township Michigan
2025 C8 Stingray of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
2024 Corvette of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
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there are clips on each side that hold it into position................. not very difficult to change............. requires loosening the (4) screws across the front of the fascia under the hood near the front edge of the hood when it is in the open position............
shoot me a PM with your address and I will mail you one for each side...............
bought replacements for mine, and they came in a large quantity package so I have some spares......................
shoot me a PM with your address and I will mail you one for each side...............
bought replacements for mine, and they came in a large quantity package so I have some spares......................
Race Director
Joined: Apr 2014
Posts: 15,063
Likes: 4,745
From: Washington Township Michigan
2025 C8 Stingray of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
2024 Corvette of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
2023 C6 of the Year Winner - Unmodified
2020 C6 of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
2019 C6 of Year Finalist (appearance mods)
there are clips on each side that hold it into position................. not very difficult to change............. requires loosening the (4) screws across the front of the fascia under the hood near the front edge of the hood when it is in the open position............
shoot me a PM with your address and I will mail you one for each side...............
bought replacements for mine, and they came in a large quantity package so I have some spares......................
shoot me a PM with your address and I will mail you one for each side...............
bought replacements for mine, and they came in a large quantity package so I have some spares......................
Race Director
Joined: Dec 2002
Posts: 10,453
Likes: 1,146
From: Wayne Township WI
Should've saved exploded diagram of this issue when it came up last.
Gave a clear idea of what these tabs are/do + how/why they break.
IIRC there're 2 cam-like male locking tabs each side, both fit into female slots. Twisting a screw for each tab secures panel to female slot. Again, from memory.
Hopefully someone saved those drawings, sure would help conceptualize how these things work.
Good news is it isn't unusual, not hard to remedy & probably not much coin for labor if one preferred hiring a body shop.
Gave a clear idea of what these tabs are/do + how/why they break.
IIRC there're 2 cam-like male locking tabs each side, both fit into female slots. Twisting a screw for each tab secures panel to female slot. Again, from memory.
Hopefully someone saved those drawings, sure would help conceptualize how these things work.
Good news is it isn't unusual, not hard to remedy & probably not much coin for labor if one preferred hiring a body shop.
Race Director
Joined: Apr 2014
Posts: 15,063
Likes: 4,745
From: Washington Township Michigan
2025 C8 Stingray of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
2024 Corvette of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
2023 C6 of the Year Winner - Unmodified
2020 C6 of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
2019 C6 of Year Finalist (appearance mods)
Should've saved exploded diagram of this issue when it came up last.
Gave a clear idea of what these tabs are/do + how/why they break.
IIRC there're 2 cam-like male locking tabs each side, both fit into female slots. Twisting a screw for each tab secures panel to female slot. Again, from memory.
Hopefully someone saved those drawings, sure would help conceptualize how these things work.
Good news is it isn't unusual, not hard to remedy & probably not much coin for labor if one preferred hiring a body shop.
Gave a clear idea of what these tabs are/do + how/why they break.
IIRC there're 2 cam-like male locking tabs each side, both fit into female slots. Twisting a screw for each tab secures panel to female slot. Again, from memory.
Hopefully someone saved those drawings, sure would help conceptualize how these things work.
Good news is it isn't unusual, not hard to remedy & probably not much coin for labor if one preferred hiring a body shop.
may have that information saved on my home computer, but currently at work and will add it later to this posting.............pretty quick, easy, and painless fix.....................
Last edited by rkj427; Dec 8, 2017 at 03:03 PM.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jan 2017
Posts: 1,122
Likes: 199
From: TX
So if this happens this means there is a clip that is broken. This is VERY common and easy to fix.
1: Open the hood, there are 4 7mm bolts holding the bumper cover on. Remove these.
2: You should now have enough room to lift the bumper cover up and remove the broken clips. I did this just by cutting them with some wire cutters and didn't worry about trying to remove them by unclipping them.
3: Put in the new clips
4: Put the 4 7mm bolts back into the bumper cover but not 100% tight.
5: You will need to "wiggle" and push the part that is sticking up back onto the new clips.
6: Tighten up the bolts 100%.
Clip information; GM OEM Exterior-rocker Panel Molding Retainer Part #11561329
Read Step 1: for bumper cover information; https://www.corvetteforum.com/how-to...e-grill-368454
Another good thread with pics; https://www.corvetteforum.com/forums...per-clips.html
1: Open the hood, there are 4 7mm bolts holding the bumper cover on. Remove these.
2: You should now have enough room to lift the bumper cover up and remove the broken clips. I did this just by cutting them with some wire cutters and didn't worry about trying to remove them by unclipping them.
3: Put in the new clips
4: Put the 4 7mm bolts back into the bumper cover but not 100% tight.
5: You will need to "wiggle" and push the part that is sticking up back onto the new clips.
6: Tighten up the bolts 100%.
Clip information; GM OEM Exterior-rocker Panel Molding Retainer Part #11561329
Read Step 1: for bumper cover information; https://www.corvetteforum.com/how-to...e-grill-368454
Another good thread with pics; https://www.corvetteforum.com/forums...per-clips.html
Race Director
Joined: May 2012
Posts: 15,748
Likes: 3,266
From: Phoenix area, AZ
there are clips on each side that hold it into position................. not very difficult to change............. requires loosening the (4) screws across the front of the fascia under the hood near the front edge of the hood when it is in the open position............
shoot me a PM with your address and I will mail you one for each side...............
bought replacements for mine, and they came in a large quantity package so I have some spares......................
shoot me a PM with your address and I will mail you one for each side...............
bought replacements for mine, and they came in a large quantity package so I have some spares......................
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Jul 2015
Posts: 139
Likes: 7
From: sherman oaks ca
Thanks
there are clips on each side that hold it into position................. not very difficult to change............. requires loosening the (4) screws across the front of the fascia under the hood near the front edge of the hood when it is in the open position............
shoot me a PM with your address and I will mail you one for each side...............
bought replacements for mine, and they came in a large quantity package so I have some spares......................
shoot me a PM with your address and I will mail you one for each side...............
bought replacements for mine, and they came in a large quantity package so I have some spares......................
Thanks for your reply. I think I can pull it off and take a look at the clip. Appreciate your offer of the spare clips. After removing I will see if that is what's needed and PM my address.
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Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Jul 2015
Posts: 139
Likes: 7
From: sherman oaks ca
there are clips on each side that hold it into position................. not very difficult to change............. requires loosening the (4) screws across the front of the fascia under the hood near the front edge of the hood when it is in the open position............
shoot me a PM with your address and I will mail you one for each side...............
bought replacements for mine, and they came in a large quantity package so I have some spares......................
shoot me a PM with your address and I will mail you one for each side...............
bought replacements for mine, and they came in a large quantity package so I have some spares......................
Wanted to thank you for your offer. Buddy of mine had a friend with a bag full also from a purchase. He gave me a couple was able to figure out how to install with help from forum members like yourself.
Instructor
Joined: May 2011
Posts: 162
Likes: 9
From: New Braunfels, TX
I have a related question. My front panel isn’t lifting. Rather, following a front panel replacement (by dealer), the panel is noticeably lower than where it meets the hood. Is it possible the panel can be raised so it will return to being flush with where it meets the hood?
Instructor
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 248
Likes: 31
From: TN
[QUOTE=thehueg;1596182381]I have a related question. My front panel isn’t lifting. Rather, following a front panel replacement (by dealer), the panel is noticeably lower than where it meets the hood. Is it possible the panel can be raised so it will return to being flush with where it meets the hood?[/QUOTE
See Post #4 above. Loosen the four 7mm screws and lift up as necessary and tighten screws back down. There is a support piece under the nose plastic that may need to be adjusted up if its bad. A few more bolts under the nose plastic and pry up on the support. The worst part is the darn little clips where the nose meets the fenders. Amazing how small they actually are.
DJ
See Post #4 above. Loosen the four 7mm screws and lift up as necessary and tighten screws back down. There is a support piece under the nose plastic that may need to be adjusted up if its bad. A few more bolts under the nose plastic and pry up on the support. The worst part is the darn little clips where the nose meets the fenders. Amazing how small they actually are.
DJ
Last edited by RPOWU8; Dec 14, 2017 at 11:02 PM. Reason: add more info.
Race Director
Joined: Apr 2014
Posts: 15,063
Likes: 4,745
From: Washington Township Michigan
2025 C8 Stingray of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
2024 Corvette of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
2023 C6 of the Year Winner - Unmodified
2020 C6 of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
2019 C6 of Year Finalist (appearance mods)
Glad that you were able to get the clips and get your car fixed! Thank you for stopping back and reporting the results too!
Race Director
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 12,973
Likes: 1,020
From: SOFLA
2016 Corvette of Year
2015 C6 of Year Finalist
Just changed mine yesterday actually, the hardest part was removing the old ones, I had to break the end off and then push the stub through the hole and insert the new ones.
On the small one, make sure you put it around the right way as it will clip into the front bumper cover. Fit it in the bumper cover so you can see which way round it goes then insert into the hole.
On the small one, make sure you put it around the right way as it will clip into the front bumper cover. Fit it in the bumper cover so you can see which way round it goes then insert into the hole.
Instructor
Joined: Nov 2017
Posts: 172
Likes: 41
From: SoCal
Apologies for reviving an old thread, but I'm having a similar problem with my '06 base coupe.
Can anyone confirm these part numbers listed here (#11561329 and #11609871) would fit my car.
I searched on gmpartsdirect and it claims those part numbers don't fit my car.
Instead I'm finding part number #11519444 (bumper cover retainer).
Am I on the right track here?
Can anyone confirm these part numbers listed here (#11561329 and #11609871) would fit my car.
I searched on gmpartsdirect and it claims those part numbers don't fit my car.
Instead I'm finding part number #11519444 (bumper cover retainer).
Am I on the right track here?
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jan 2017
Posts: 1,122
Likes: 199
From: TX
Apologies for reviving an old thread, but I'm having a similar problem with my '06 base coupe.
Can anyone confirm these part numbers listed here (#11561329 and #11609871) would fit my car.
I searched on gmpartsdirect and it claims those part numbers don't fit my car.
Instead I'm finding part number #11519444 (bumper cover retainer).
Am I on the right track here?
Can anyone confirm these part numbers listed here (#11561329 and #11609871) would fit my car.
I searched on gmpartsdirect and it claims those part numbers don't fit my car.
Instead I'm finding part number #11519444 (bumper cover retainer).
Am I on the right track here?
Instructor
Joined: Nov 2017
Posts: 172
Likes: 41
From: SoCal
This is what you need more than likely. GM Part# 11561329
https://www.amazon.com/Front-Bumper-...70_&dpSrc=srch
https://www.amazon.com/Front-Bumper-...70_&dpSrc=srch
Heel & Toe
Joined: Feb 2015
Posts: 15
Likes: 3
From: Temecula CA
My front left side is "going", and this will be the second time i've had to do this in 6 years of ownership. After awhile pushing it back in place with your thumb stops working 
Glad to have this reference available every-so-many years, it really isn't hard to do.
Glad to have this reference available every-so-many years, it really isn't hard to do.
Heel & Toe
Joined: Feb 2015
Posts: 15
Likes: 3
From: Temecula CA
It did make the install much quicker and even easier though
.The two part #s listed for the dealer are still accurate and they had them in stock, ran about $9 bucks for one of each. GL!