4M Bumper Removal

[gtg196w]

I'm at wits end with this stupid bumper... Pulling it to replace the @#$*&^ active radiator grille motor...

I am following the shop manual and this YouTube video which has actually been quite helpful

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XkZM1C7eCDg&t=780s

Basically, I'm on the last step (11:44 in the video) which is to pull out the bumper clips that slide in right next to the front fenders. Those things are so damn tight, every time I try, I pull to the point something on the bumper side is going to crack and I get freaked out ( today I swear I felt/heard the beginning of a crack/tear).

Anyone have any tips? The bumper clips/ tabs are sandwiched between two pieces that are fastened by 3 bolts. The nuts are on the un exposed side. I'm not sure how he "loosened them." The dumbass manual just says to pull on the bumper at this point lol.

[gdawg'05a4]

As long as you're sure you've removed all of the fasteners/bolts/nuts, those clips are very strong. It is scary giving it a good hard tug to unclip them. You can try using those plastic interior panel trim tools and wrapping a cloth around the end to wedge between.

[gtg196w]

I did get them released finally… I’m convinced you do have to loosen the two bolts described in the video.. the outer one can be accessed from the side between the bumper and the black bumper mount.. have to do like 1/10th turn at a time tho lol.


after doing that I was able to get a flat screwdriver between the bumpers clips and locating tabs on the black bumper mount. I cannot imagine that pulling hard would release them. The bolts are keeping so much pressure between the fender and the bumper mount that it seems like the tabs would never release…