HOW BIG OF A PITA IS IT TO REMOVE THE FACIA??
- Thread starter GARY J
- Start date
Gerald
Enthusiast
Easy.. Just take off the plastic clips between the hood and the fasica, then unscrew the bolts in the fenderwell lips. Then alls left are the bolts on the bottom and your done. no need for instructions, it's that easy.
hoped that helped
Gerald
hoped that helped
Gerald
ViperRay
Enthusiast
Putting the plastic clips back in when you put the fascia back on is the PITA!
Let me give you my expert opinion...Gerbil is just an amueter! (mispelled!)
There are several plastic round tabs on the top side of the fascia I think 8. They are round black tabs that are push in type with a tree type retainer., You will need some type of trim fork or a large flat head screw driver to pop them off. Depending on the shape of them, you may need to get new ones.
There are also 4 of the same round tabs under the fasica by where you pull the lever to open the hood.
On the fenderwell side, you have 8 mm bolts to take off on each side.
Underneath you have lower fascia bolts that need to come off also. (I think 11mm)
Now this is where you may need a 2nd pair of hands so you don't rip off the turn signal bulbs and fog light connectors. You will see when you do this.
Have the helper hold the middle of the fascia while you pull one side of the fascia off the fender well and do the otherside. When that is done, disconnect the harnesses and it's off.
Just a side note, it will be easier to do if you remove the hood. Less chance of breaking something and scracthing the hood. there are only 4 bolts (13mm) holding the hood on. Don't worry about miss alighnment because there is no way for it to be crooked if you don't mess with the hood support cross member and the hood latches.
Hope this helps. Nevermind my typing!
I don't use my thumbs or fingers..you will have sore fingers later on. I use a hammer head to push them in from the topside and bottom side.
Notice I said I don't pound them in, I just push them in because I have found I can put more pressure on the top of the tabs than my fingers can and it saves me the cussing and sore finger so I can pick my nose later on.
AviP
Enthusiast
1. Remove the bolts holding the bumper along the left and right wheelwells.
2. Remove the bolts along the bottom.
3. Open the hood and remove the plastic push pins (christmas trees) holding the bumper to the reinforcement.
TRICK: The pins under the headlight are a PITA to remove/install from the front but can be accessed from the small round access panel in front of the wheels.
Also note that if you need to align the front fascia, hood and headlights, then now is a good time.
Do not reuse the plastic clips. Do not buy them from a dealership. You can buy them in 20 count packs from an auto body supply store.
2. Remove the bolts along the bottom.
3. Open the hood and remove the plastic push pins (christmas trees) holding the bumper to the reinforcement.
TRICK: The pins under the headlight are a PITA to remove/install from the front but can be accessed from the small round access panel in front of the wheels.
Also note that if you need to align the front fascia, hood and headlights, then now is a good time.
Do not reuse the plastic clips. Do not buy them from a dealership. You can buy them in 20 count packs from an auto body supply store.
From a privious post:
Front Facia Removal
No bolts along the top but push pins. Here's how to remove it.
1. Remove the bolts holding the bumper along the left and right wheelwells.
2. Remove the bolts along the bottom
3. Open the hood and remove the plastic push pins (christmas trees) holding the bumper to the reinforcement. (The pins under the headlight are a PITA).
DON'T pull out the push-pins - they will break and are a PITA to remove - they cannot be effectively re-used even if they don't break because they lose their grip. Once you have removed the bolts on the wheelwells and on the bottom under the radiator area, all you have to do is remove the hood latch bracket and four nuts (13mm, I am pretty sure) that hold the whole assembly to the car - including the core support. The first time it will take you a while to figure out how to access the four nuts two of them require removing the air deflector above the radiator area; I can get my fascia off this way in under 20 min.
Oh, and don't forget to unplug the driving lights.
The push pins on the skin itself I don't plan on touching at all. There are 2 push pins, one on each side, that hold the plastic enclosure onto the frame rails. I find it easier to get to the two bolts between the plastic enclosure and the facia, if those push pins are removed. I have replacements for those.
Front Facia Removal
No bolts along the top but push pins. Here's how to remove it.
1. Remove the bolts holding the bumper along the left and right wheelwells.
2. Remove the bolts along the bottom
3. Open the hood and remove the plastic push pins (christmas trees) holding the bumper to the reinforcement. (The pins under the headlight are a PITA).
DON'T pull out the push-pins - they will break and are a PITA to remove - they cannot be effectively re-used even if they don't break because they lose their grip. Once you have removed the bolts on the wheelwells and on the bottom under the radiator area, all you have to do is remove the hood latch bracket and four nuts (13mm, I am pretty sure) that hold the whole assembly to the car - including the core support. The first time it will take you a while to figure out how to access the four nuts two of them require removing the air deflector above the radiator area; I can get my fascia off this way in under 20 min.
Oh, and don't forget to unplug the driving lights.
The push pins on the skin itself I don't plan on touching at all. There are 2 push pins, one on each side, that hold the plastic enclosure onto the frame rails. I find it easier to get to the two bolts between the plastic enclosure and the facia, if those push pins are removed. I have replacements for those.
