Removing bumper cover
Thread Starter
Drifting
Joined: Jul 2003
Posts: 1,868
Likes: 294
From: West of Burlington, Ontario Canada
Removing bumper cover
The previous owner of my 2011 ZR1 had a front license plate bracket installed and then removed before he sold me the car. While looking at the lower grill the other day I noticed who ever did this pulled the white anchors out of the grill leaving it loose on both sides. The only way I can see to fix this is to remove the entire bumper cover as it doesn't look like I can get in there any other way.
I've looked at several of the posts showing how to remove the front bumper cover on a C6 and all of them were very good! Better than the service manual, but I have one question I hope will ease my mind. It involves the clip/s at the front of the fender/s that holds the outer edges of the bumper fascia near the headlights. All of the instructions I read said "just pull up on the cover to pop it out from the clip. Now I don't mind tearing into a transmission or engine or anything else mechanical or electrical BUT the thought of messing with painted panels brings me great apprehension. Actually terror but I won't admit it. Anyway, can anybody tell me how difficult this step is or can anyone offer any advice to get this unclipped without damaging the panel? Any help would be appreciated.
I've looked at several of the posts showing how to remove the front bumper cover on a C6 and all of them were very good! Better than the service manual, but I have one question I hope will ease my mind. It involves the clip/s at the front of the fender/s that holds the outer edges of the bumper fascia near the headlights. All of the instructions I read said "just pull up on the cover to pop it out from the clip. Now I don't mind tearing into a transmission or engine or anything else mechanical or electrical BUT the thought of messing with painted panels brings me great apprehension. Actually terror but I won't admit it. Anyway, can anybody tell me how difficult this step is or can anyone offer any advice to get this unclipped without damaging the panel? Any help would be appreciated.
Race Director
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 13,592
Likes: 187
From: Hudson WI
NCM Sinkhole Donor
If the white anchors are what I think they are, they most likely broke them and that is why it doesn't fit correctly. It is an issue if you don't do it correctly.
Just to be safe I would see if the local dealers has them before you remove the bumper so that you can go get them while it is apart.
Just to be safe I would see if the local dealers has them before you remove the bumper so that you can go get them while it is apart.
Thread Starter
Drifting
Joined: Jul 2003
Posts: 1,868
Likes: 294
From: West of Burlington, Ontario Canada
If the white anchors are what I think they are, they most likely broke them and that is why it doesn't fit correctly. It is an issue if you don't do it correctly.
Just to be safe I would see if the local dealers has them before you remove the bumper so that you can go get them while it is apart.
Just to be safe I would see if the local dealers has them before you remove the bumper so that you can go get them while it is apart.
Thread Starter
Drifting
Joined: Jul 2003
Posts: 1,868
Likes: 294
From: West of Burlington, Ontario Canada
Well I removed the cover and I must say it was easy but the clips at the forward edge of the fenders were very tight. I had to pull on the fascia a lot harder than I wanted to and when it popped I just closed my eyes then just peeked at it. Surprised there was no damage and no broken clips. All of the videos said the top edge was difficult to re install and though it was tight it went back in ok. One thing I really didn't think about and did notice while I had it off is the amount of items that could potentially fail over time that would make it necessary to remove it again. Not looking forward to doing that job again any time soon. Thanks for the help and encouragement.
