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Help! Replacing bumper cover today.

Old Feb 3, 2010 | 08:41 AM
  #1  
JonMcJunkin's Avatar
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Help! Replacing bumper cover today.

Many of you know, or some...of you know that I was recently in an accident. Saab vs Maxima. Well the passenger side front fender was dented, the headlight and corner marker were busted, and the front bumper cover cracked in like twelve places along with being dented in.



So, given the lack of money, I went ahead and ordered one off of D&H Autoparts. They're supposed to be pretty good, and even if the paint color is off a little, I honestly don't care. The fender has a different paint color from being replaced before, as does the old bumper. The car will be 11 years old this summer, so maybe a repaint is in the making. Who knows?

Anyway, I should be receiving the new bumper today, it's in transit to my house as I type this. I don't want to take my car to the shop to get this done because I've done a search and read on other generation forums that it's easy. Removal of a few bolts and it comes right off.

Does anyone have any more specific instructions that I could go by?

Thank you.
Old Feb 3, 2010 | 08:49 AM
  #2  
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If I remember correctly there are two 10mm bolts attaching the bumper to the frender. remove the covers on the underside of the car. Not sure if you have to remove the headlights to get to anything there, also remove screws holding cover on top of grill area under hood. Looks like you don't have foglights, so no worries about wiring there. Not a complicated job, you should be done quickly.
I still have that fender in Sterling Mist if you need.
Old Feb 3, 2010 | 08:52 AM
  #3  
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Originally Posted by JonMcJunkin
Many of you know, or some...of you know that I was recently in an accident. Saab vs Maxima. Well the passenger side front fender was dented, the headlight and corner marker were busted, and the front bumper cover cracked in like twelve places along with being dented in.



So, given the lack of money, I went ahead and ordered one off of D&H Autoparts. They're supposed to be pretty good, and even if the paint color is off a little, I honestly don't care. The fender has a different paint color from being replaced before, as does the old bumper. The car will be 11 years old this summer, so maybe a repaint is in the making. Who knows?

Anyway, I should be receiving the new bumper today, it's in transit to my house as I type this. I don't want to take my car to the shop to get this done because I've done a search and read on other generation forums that it's easy. Removal of a few bolts and it comes right off.

Does anyone have any more specific instructions that I could go by?

Thank you.
Hey, not to change the topic, but I like your rims. What are they? They are stock but special ed?

I have the rinky dink 5 spoke generic 16's.

Thanks.
Old Feb 3, 2010 | 08:57 AM
  #4  
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Originally Posted by mandyfig
Hey, not to change the topic, but I like your rims. What are they? They are stock but special ed?

I have the rinky dink 5 spoke generic 16's.

Thanks.
Thanks for your compliment! They are 16" Sport Edition rims. But we were on a budget when we got them and they were $99 a wheel. Also, you can get 18" for $109 right now if you're interested. They look better, but 16's look fine. They also have a set of rims that look like the G35 coupe rims.
http://www.tirerack.com/wheels/Wheel...All&sort=Brand
Old Feb 3, 2010 | 08:58 AM
  #5  
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The two bolts that rvamaxima mentioned on either fender are going to be the most difficult ones to get to. However, it is not a difficult and the job should take no time. I have removed my front bumper something like 10 times between turbo install and some intercooler piping issues, etc. Be careful with the pop screws that attach the splash shields to the underside of the bumper because they break easily.
Old Feb 3, 2010 | 08:59 AM
  #6  
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Originally Posted by rvamaxima
If I remember correctly there are two 10mm bolts attaching the bumper to the frender. remove the covers on the underside of the car. Not sure if you have to remove the headlights to get to anything there, also remove screws holding cover on top of grill area under hood. Looks like you don't have foglights, so no worries about wiring there. Not a complicated job, you should be done quickly.
I still have that fender in Sterling Mist if you need.
I will let you know about the fender, I just need to get a paint price quote first. Thanks for your offer, regardless.
Old Feb 3, 2010 | 09:00 AM
  #7  
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Originally Posted by nismomaxct
The two bolts that rvamaxima mentioned on either fender are going to be the most difficult ones to get to. However, it is not a difficult and the job should take no time. I have removed my front bumper something like 10 times between turbo install and some intercooler piping issues, etc. Be careful with the pop screws that attach the splash shields to the underside of the bumper because they break easily.
Thanks, I believe these pop screws are also attached to the OEM headlights? Popped those, woops. But the new headlights fit perfectly so oh well!
Old Feb 3, 2010 | 09:04 AM
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Originally Posted by JonMcJunkin
Thanks, I believe these pop screws are also attached to the OEM headlights? Popped those, woops. But the new headlights fit perfectly so oh well!
Not sure, I know there are two 10mm bolts on the top of each headlight. On my Max I snapped both of those on one side taking the headlight out and zip tied it in place. lol. The pop screws are plastic and are a pain to get out some times, but you really want to go easy with them because if you break enough you will have all sorts of plastic shields hanging from the bottom of the car and it is just plain ugly.
Old Feb 3, 2010 | 09:29 AM
  #9  
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Originally Posted by nismomaxct
Not sure, I know there are two 10mm bolts on the top of each headlight. On my Max I snapped both of those on one side taking the headlight out and zip tied it in place. lol. The pop screws are plastic and are a pain to get out some times, but you really want to go easy with them because if you break enough you will have all sorts of plastic shields hanging from the bottom of the car and it is just plain ugly.
Well that's awkward considering that was the look I was going for.
Those Hondas rock it, can't my Max?

lol @ your zipties. I duct taped my bumper back together. TAKE THAT!
Old Feb 3, 2010 | 09:58 AM
  #10  
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I have come across the bumper removal on the FSM. Do you have a copy of the FSM?
Old Feb 3, 2010 | 10:00 AM
  #11  
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Originally Posted by JonMcJunkin
Well that's awkward considering that was the look I was going for.
Those Hondas rock it, can't my Max?

lol @ your zipties. I duct taped my bumper back together. TAKE THAT!


ZIP ties rock! Got them all over the place. In fact my air dam mesh guard is held on by zippies! Now the mesh on the air dam, must be the # 1 cheapest coolest mod!

Greatest invention after the DUCT tape!!!!
Old Feb 3, 2010 | 04:53 PM
  #12  
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Hey guys, I got the bumper in today. But here's the problem. It came with a grill, and it's painted. I feel like it'll be tacky and the color will just overwhelm it because I liked that bit of black. Is there any way around this? Anything to put on it, how to paint it, etc. without having to shave it off? I don't have the money to get more work done on it.



Other than that problem, the paint seems to match up well. Will need to look at it in the sun tomorrow morning.
Old Feb 3, 2010 | 05:06 PM
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Is the problem that it came with the grill or that it's painted? 00/01 bumper cover has an integrated grill, so that normal. If it was painted the body color, some gunmetal or black spray paint should do the trick. Use a Scotchbrite pad to scuff up the grill and wipe it down real good with some alcohol wipes before painting it.
Old Feb 3, 2010 | 05:25 PM
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I think I ordered my painted bumper from the small people....he coats it with a clear that never chips with rocks on the highway, mine was off, but as it aged over a year in the sun it became the same color as the rest of the car.

Also the grille is suppose to come with the bumper cause its part of the bumper, personally I think the body color grille helps. But if you must paint it, just tape it off and paint it black yourself.

Last edited by DrunkieTheBear; Feb 3, 2010 at 05:27 PM.
Old Feb 3, 2010 | 07:05 PM
  #15  
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Originally Posted by DrunkieTheBear
I think I ordered my painted bumper from the small people....he coats it with a clear that never chips with rocks on the highway, mine was off, but as it aged over a year in the sun it became the same color as the rest of the car.

Also the grille is suppose to come with the bumper cause its part of the bumper, personally I think the body color grille helps. But if you must paint it, just tape it off and paint it black yourself.
I agree that body colored grills help at times, but not on gold IMHO.

I'm going to finish this forum though so see bumper came with painted grill...what! forum if you're going to post. Thanks.
Old Feb 4, 2010 | 09:50 AM
  #16  
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jon, so did you complete this job?
Old Feb 4, 2010 | 01:45 PM
  #17  
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Originally Posted by mandyfig
jon, so did you complete this job?
I have not. Believe it or not I'm only 16, so given I'm relatively new to this stuff and would love to jump into a project, I have to consider that I have school. But I'm doing it this weekend. I'm going to probably install this bumper today, I'm tired of the crappy look of duct tape, so then I can garage the car throughout the snow.

Can you send me a copy of the bumper removal FSM?

PS How's the weather in GA? Used to live up north in Chickamauga, right south of Chattanooga. Awesome state.
Old Feb 4, 2010 | 02:48 PM
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The FSM is downloadable from here. Let me see if I can post a link. Best thing to do is search.
Old Feb 4, 2010 | 02:54 PM
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Originally Posted by mandyfig
The FSM is downloadable from here. Let me see if I can post a link. Best thing to do is search.
Tried with no luck, but thanks.
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