Front Bumper Removal (Pics in post 33)

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Old 10-24-2011 | 08:10 PM
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Question Front Bumper Removal (Pics in post 33)

I have the instructions to remove the front bumper, but I am looking for some pointers. For those that have removed it before, I have a few questions.

1. How long would it take you to do it again? How about to put it back on?
2. How many clips broke? Should I order extras ahead of time or can I reuse the originals?
3. How snug does it go back on? It seems that when I put something back together, I can tell that it was taken apart. Can you tell that yours came off?

I am wanting to add my DRL->fog switch and my HID ballasts to the fog lights. I can add the switch without the bumper off, but it would be easier with with it off.

4. Has anyone secured fog ballasts without removing the bumper?

Any other pointers I should plan for or keep in mind? Things you wish you would have known?

Last edited by oo7spy; 10-24-2011 at 08:12 PM.
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Old 10-24-2011 | 08:30 PM
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yea i would order some clips i had to. the bumper goes back on very snug but is pretty effortless. i can removed the bumper in 4 mins and reinstall in about 6
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Old 10-24-2011 | 08:48 PM
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you can install ballast in the wheel well area if you are creative and if you have a mounting bracket attached to the ballast there are a few bolts in the wheel area that you can use to bolt the ballast down. might be a good ideal to mount a piece of dynamat or a mass load foam on the frame of the car before you mount the ballast you might here a slight rattle from the vibration of the ballast against the chassis of the car.
Old 10-24-2011 | 10:00 PM
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Can you share the bumper removal instructions? I need to take my headlights off for replacement.
Old 10-24-2011 | 10:27 PM
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http://techinfo.honda.com/rjanisis/pubs/AI/BII33593.pdf

This is the spoiler install instructions that includes the bumper removal.
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Old 10-25-2011 | 07:16 AM
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I've done it before and if I can remember it took me about 45 minutes taking my time. I'd 100% recommend an extra hand to hold one side.My wife help me.... Be carefully not to break the clips underneath the headlights or otherwise you will need to buy a new bracket with clips. That's about it.
Old 10-25-2011 | 08:31 AM
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Ive removed mine a few times. But its the same as with any other Acura/Honda made this decade which Ive owned three others. I can take it off in about 2 minutes and put it back on in the same amount of time. Pretty easy. yes order extra clips LOL
Old 10-25-2011 | 09:46 AM
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007spy , how come i cannot open your link?
Old 10-25-2011 | 12:58 PM
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Originally Posted by tongr888
007spy , how come i cannot open your link?
It is a stupid security setting on some of Honda's sites that blocks linking. You can navigate to the accessory installation instructions from the Garage.

Here is the bumper document. I went ahead and pulled the PDF. It's now on my Google docs. Here is a link.

https://docs.google.com/viewer?a=v&p...3OWYx&hl=en_US

Let me know if you can't view it still.
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Old 10-25-2011 | 01:01 PM
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In order to release the clips under the headlights, do I push up or toward the engine?

The clips that people are suggesting I buy. Are those just the short clips under the bumper?
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Old 10-26-2011 | 02:44 AM
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I would lay a blanket or some thing soft under the bumper to prevent scraping on the pavement as you remove and install it.
Old 10-26-2011 | 09:16 AM
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Originally Posted by oo7spy
It is a stupid security setting on some of Honda's sites that blocks linking. You can navigate to the accessory installation instructions from the Garage.

Here is the bumper document. I went ahead and pulled the PDF. It's now on my Google docs. Here is a link.

https://docs.google.com/viewer?a=v&p...3OWYx&hl=en_US

Let me know if you can't view it still.
thanks 007spy, for the link. Where do i buy the clips, long and short?
Old 10-26-2011 | 10:46 AM
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https://www.oemacuraparts.com/index....PERS%20%281%29

If the link does not work, go to oemacuraparts.com then "Bumpers". The clips are numbers 42 & 43, 6 and 4 pieces respectively, both at $2.40 for 6 and 4.

EDIT: Shipping is $8.40 for .01 lbs USPS.

I will get them from my local dealer. The part numbers are 42 = 91503-SZ3-003, 43 = 91503-SZ5-003 and should run $3.20 each.

Last edited by oo7spy; 10-26-2011 at 10:51 AM.
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Old 10-26-2011 | 11:01 AM
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thanks again 007spy
Old 10-26-2011 | 11:05 AM
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You're welcome. If you feel inclined, you can hit the "Thanks" button so that everyone can know how great I am.
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Old 11-01-2011 | 08:52 PM
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Help!!!

What is the trick to the clips under the headlights? I cannot get a flathead screwdriver in at the angle needed to get it under the clips. Am I doing something wrong? I could not get it under the clip without bending the edge of the bumper or denting the headlight casing.
Old 11-02-2011 | 11:19 AM
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Please help!

I have searched every thread that mentions "front bumper" and still have not found sound advice on these clips. Some people just say, "remove the clips" like it is a breeze. One member suggested pulling the bumper forward to access the clips, but I am not understanding. When I pulled mine forward, it made the gap smaller. How small of a tool do I need to get under these clips?
Old 11-02-2011 | 12:44 PM
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There are hooks under the headlight not clips.

http://ww2.justanswer.com/uploads/di...oval_05_rl.png
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Old 11-02-2011 | 01:49 PM
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I don't understand why the Aspec instructions say to use a screwdriver on the clips. Thanks Heavy.

Has anyone used this method, or did you go in with a screwdriver?
Old 11-02-2011 | 01:58 PM
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I used this method just fine when I did my front end repair.

here is the best pic I have of the "clips"

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Old 11-02-2011 | 03:13 PM
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So no screwdrivers used at all?
Old 11-03-2011 | 10:23 AM
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Just pull man, they'll pop out without breaking
Old 11-03-2011 | 10:39 AM
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is it off yet?
Old 11-03-2011 | 10:41 AM
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I had a basketball game last night. Hopefully I can get some time tonight. I have to butter the wife up to let me "waste" an hour.
Old 11-03-2011 | 10:51 AM
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How about now?

And take pics of the wife buttering. LoL.
Old 11-03-2011 | 11:31 AM
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You into prego fetishes?
Old 11-03-2011 | 11:46 AM
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Soo, you get that bumper off yet.
Old 11-03-2011 | 11:54 AM
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Old 11-03-2011 | 02:21 PM
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are we talking about bumpers or fetishes? hehehe
Old 11-03-2011 | 08:38 PM
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Bumper fetish?
Old 11-03-2011 | 09:10 PM
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Mmmmmm... bumper fetish.

My favorite is bumper to bumper.




And no the bumper hasn't come off yet. Saturday morning is the compromise.
Old 11-04-2011 | 07:03 AM
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Ohhhh baby!!!

Old 11-07-2011 | 09:44 AM
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So, I got it off through a mixture of the ASpec instructions and Heavy's instructions. Here are the steps to remove the front bumper.

1) Follow the Aspec instructions to remove the grill cover and all clips/bolts from under the bumper.
2) Remove the self tapping screws in the wheel well.
3) Following the instructions provided by Heavy, pull on the bumper starting at the wheel well. There are 7 clips that will release by pulling straight out.



4) Repeat step 3 for the other side.
5) Pull the side of the bumper out so that you can slid your fingers between the bumper and the side of the head light. Have a small flat head screw driver handy.
6) Pulling the bumper from the outside of the head light, you can see clips under the headlight. Use the flat head screwdriver to gently pry up on the clips to release them as you pull the outside of the bumper.

Here are the clips, there are five.


Here is where the clips hold the bumper.


7) Work from the outside to the inside until all 5 clips are released.
8) Repeat steps 5-7 on the other side.
9) Both sides should be released by now. There are two tabs (little bumps) that hold the top of the grill/bumper to the car. Gently pull up and out to release the bumper from the tabs.
10) Have a towel handy to place the bumper on to prevent scratches.


To put it back on, it is helpful to have another person hold the side opposite of you. I put the top of the bumper back on the tabs and lined up the headlight clips on both sides. Then you can simply push the bumper back into the clips. Follow the instructions in reverse order from there.
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Old 11-07-2011 | 09:45 AM
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Can a mod (Bob or Ken probably) change the title of the thread to reflect instructions in post 33?

Thank you.
Old 11-07-2011 | 10:42 AM
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wasn't so bad was it?
Old 11-07-2011 | 11:16 AM
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Nope. However, the Aspec's exclusion of the side pulling is very inconvenient. That step is pretty crucial.
Old 11-07-2011 | 01:37 PM
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Atta boy!!! :silvercup
Old 02-17-2012 | 04:34 PM
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Okay guys, I have a Canadian RL and it has two headlight washers through the bumper. Any ideas how to handle these little pains?
I've got all the clips, bolts and the sides off, about to tackle the clips under the headlights and saw these headlight washers. They pop out and spray windshield washer when the low beams are on, no satellite radio though for Canadian models. Help!!
Old 02-17-2012 | 06:34 PM
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That's new to me... Good luck!
Old 02-17-2012 | 06:48 PM
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Looking good so far...

I went back out to the garage and released the passenger side clips under the headlights, pretty tight. On the driver's side the clips were even harder to get at, broke one clip side, waiting for the garage to warm up. I will heat the rest of the clips with a hair dryer to make the plastic a little more forgiving. Do not attempt to release these in cold weather!

The headlight washers come off with the bumper but the attached electrical & washer fluid lines may be too short. Sheesh! Yah right 40 minute job...

Will tackle again tomorrow, gonna replace the 6 year old battery too, preventive maintenance. Will I lose all the bluetooth phone book and nav addresses???


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