Front Bumper Removal

juncura1 · #1 (**permalink**) 02-03-2007, 12:30 PM

I have a new Verde and I need to pull the front bumper to attend to some body damage, but I have no idea of where to start. I tried looking on the BB for help, but I came up short. Any help or advice will be greatly appreciated.

juncura1 · #2 (**permalink**) 02-03-2007, 04:41 PM

testing test

JoeCab · #3 (**permalink**) 02-03-2007, 05:22 PM

Removing the bumper is not especially difficult but can be a PIA if the fasteners are rusty and stuck.

In general you need to:

1) Remove "accordion" pieces

2) Remove lower valence and disconnect fog light wiring

3) Disconnect headlight squirter hoses

4) Disconnect main bumper piece from shocks

Joe

AlfaVerde88 · #4 (**permalink**) 02-03-2007, 07:11 PM

That sounds easy enough. I was thinking the bolts were under those accordian sections. Is there a good way to do this? My accordian sections seem pretty frail.

**aralfa8589** · #5 (**permalink**) 02-03-2007, 07:29 PM

I murdered mine when I did this. Take a long look at those sections before you attack. Good Luck!
Jeff Lang

JoeCab · #6 (**permalink**) 02-03-2007, 08:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by AlfaVerde88

That sounds easy enough. I was thinking the bolts were under those accordian sections. Is there a good way to do this? My accordian sections seem pretty frail.

AlfaVerde88 · #7 (**permalink**) 02-03-2007, 10:16 PM

Hey Joe, where in Colorado are you? I am in Golden. Anyway, when I pull back on the accordian pieces I cannot see any clips. However, I am not pulling back on them too far because it is cold on these bumpers are like new so I do not want to ruin anything. I have a door panel clip removal tool that is flat so I can get in there, but i am not sure of what the clips look like or how they attach. Any input on this? I appreciate all of the help.

JoeCab · #8 (**permalink**) 02-03-2007, 11:00 PM

I'm in Westminster but I work at Centerline Alfa in Boulder.

The accordion pieces have 6 tabs (3 front, 3 rear) on the backside that push into metal clips in the valence and bumper. So, the easist way to remove is to feel the backside for these tabs and push them straight outwards. The metal clips are *very* fragile and will often crumble.

If you don't have a heated work space, I'd wait until the weather warms up or you will probably rip one of the accordion pieces.

Joe

AlfaVerde88 · #9 (**permalink**) 02-03-2007, 11:16 PM

sounds good. just to make sure, when you say outwards you mean outwards from the bumper so i will be using a prying motion, or do you mean outwards as in sliding the clip from the front of the car to the rear? i just want to double, triple check so can get as much information as i can. do you guys still have any Milano parts cars up there? the reason i need to take the bumper off is because the previous owner hit something on the passenger side and pushed the support back and up. i want to get that support back to where it should be and hopefull line up the fron end a bit, but i have no idea as to the extent of the damage.

JoeCab · #10 (**permalink**) 02-04-2007, 12:13 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by AlfaVerde88

sounds good. just to make sure, when you say outwards you mean outwards from the bumper so i will be using a prying motion, or do you mean outwards as in sliding the clip from the front of the car to the rear?

JoeCab · #11 (**permalink**) 02-04-2007, 12:16 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by AlfaVerde88

do you guys still have any Milano parts cars up there?

1969read · #12 (**permalink**) 02-04-2007, 04:04 AM

Are you selling any seats from your parts car Jason

AlfaVerde88 · #13 (**permalink**) 02-04-2007, 08:42 AM

Yeah, I was up there last week and thought I would stop by, but the shop was closed. I did see a nice mound by the fence and thought i saw a Milano front end. I think I am going to try to get a come-along and hook it to the support from under the car and try to pull it forward so I do not have to take the bumper off. I would rather not destroy anything if I do not have to.

Gilles · #14 (**permalink**) 02-04-2007, 02:12 PM

As Joe mentioned, the clips holding the accordeon are very fragile and will probably break when you remove them, don't worry because you can buy replacement clips at the auto parts store, they look slightly different (plastic pyramidal shape) but they will hold well the accordeon plastic tabs well in place.... as long as you don't break these plastic tabs
Gilles

AlfaVerde88 · #15 (**permalink**) 02-04-2007, 06:20 PM

I got my come-along so I am going to try and pull it back with this before I tear into the bumper. It is only about a 1/2" in and is barely noticeable. The problem with me is that I cannot stand thing with my cars out of order and when look out my window all I see is the bumper sinking in towrds the car on the passenger side. It drives me crazy. Anyway, when I dive into the body work on this car I will post some pics.