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CANNOT get the bumper cover to release from tab bracket!!!!
Been out here for 2 and 1/2 hours. Contemplating lighting the car on fire. Any tips? Should have never started this project. Replacing the headlight bulb.
Thanks guys, yes I did watch that particular YouTube video. It was very informative but he doesn't tell you how to release the tabs. I'm nervous to pull too hard because I don't want to crack paint. I can get the inside tab to release but not the one that's hidden. I'm not sure what to do.
I used a small non marring pry bar to help release the tabs. Sometimes it’s very tough to get the tabs to release. Here’s another video that shows the pull necessary to get the tabs to part.
also, here is a cut/paste of another person that had trouble with the clips:
”There are two spring clips that holds the bumper cover in place adjacent to each headlight. In my case, simply pulling up on the bumper cover was unsuccessful. Once you remove the two corner plastic pieces from under the hood, as Jeremy alludes to, you can see one of the black clips holding the top of the bumper cover in place. I used a flathead screwdriver to push and bend the clip back. The other clip is not visible from either side. It was not until after I removed every screw and bolt possible and lifted the cover up and towards the windshield that I saw the two screws which hold the clip plate in place. I used a 9/32" socket on a extension handle to back out the two screws which them freed up the bumper cover and allowed me to remove it. Just remember to retighten the screws and push back the one clip if you decide to bend it back like I did”
Last edited by runner61627; 03-17-2019 at 11:21 PM.
I appreciate all the responses and help guys. My brackets seem overly tight and I think my only choice is to loosen the 7mm bolts on the brackets. For some reason I can't get the socket flat on the bolt head to crack them loose. It's almost like I need some kind of a swivel head or something. Rediculous for a headlight bulb replacement!!!!! Pisses me off. I miss my C5 ZO6 and C6 right now.
Not looking forward to the day I have to change a headlight bulb on the car.
It's pure hell. I'm out here in the garage again this morning messing with it. I can't get the 7 mm bolts loose at the clip. It's worth paying the money to let the dealer mess with it. Sure with I would've made that decision.
5 hours later!!! Man for some reason, that was a tough project for me. ...and I have tackled a bunch of car projects since the mid-90s. Sorry for the bad attitude guys, sometimes frustration kicks in.
Thanks for the help!👍
You didn't replace the grille with a Z06 grille while you were at it. For your sake, I hope you were solid in that decision. Did you upgrade the bulbs? If so, what bulb did you go with and was it worth it?
You didn't replace the grille with a Z06 grille while you were at it. For your sake, I hope you were solid in that decision. Did you upgrade the bulbs? If so, what bulb did you go with and was it worth it?
I like the stock grille. Went with OEM bulb replacements. 👍
It's worth paying the money to let the dealer mess with it.
Originally Posted by ALEXAMES
I like the stock grille. Went with OEM bulb replacements. 👍
Whelp - there it is. You made my decision for me on bulb replacement, Z06 grill, brake ducts. 1-shot, 3-kills. I watched the videos and I completely understand your frustration. Don't want to pull too hard think they'll break.
Curious, your replaced the OEMs with what?
OP... what ended up getting it free? I tried all the tricks and the how-tos on there said just pull hard, you'll feel like it's going to break, but it will release. Nope... snapped the tab right off mine. Admittedly my garage was 45-50 degrees. I was able to fix the bumper and weld the tab back on and you'd never know. I have worked on many cars and had 4 C5s before the C7. I have build race cars and show cars. I'm not a novice to working on these cars, but I HATE the front bumper design. Some peoples' just pop loose, On mine, the bumper tabs had developed a hard edge which effectively locked onto the metal bracket that bolts to the fender.
I now own the service manuals and it states to use a nylon wedge to "create space" in the joint... but doing that just makes the metal bracket grip tighter. Then use a "suitable flatblade" to release the tab. The video of the yellow car often shows just pulling on it is not the OEM-recommended way.
I used a small non marring pry bar to help release the tabs. Sometimes it’s very tough to get the tabs to release. Here’s another video that shows the pull necessary to get the tabs to part. https://youtu.be/flXLlLSOY9U
Gosh he makes that look so easy... mine was nothing like that... the outer tabs released as that bracket is plastic, but the inner tabs were awful. The "inner inner" tabs released with some hard pulling, but the ones closest to each headlight were locked in place. I guess I just got unlucky with how my bumper came out of the mold.
03-17-2019, 09:42 PM
CANNOT get the bumper cover to release from tab bracket!!!!
