spinealigner

I am replacing the nasty, craked, warped polyurethane rear bumper on my '75 with a new fiberglass one. I have instructions in my Haynes manual, but I can seem to get to certain bolts.

I've taken the bolts out from behind each tail light and from behind the license plate. The next step is to take 14 bolts out of the retainer strip. I have taken 4 out of each side, but it took forever (like half an hour per nut!), and the only tool that I could use was a tiny open end wrench. If I look up to the top, I can see each of the remaining 6 bolts that run across the top of the bumper, but how in the world do you reach them???? and what is the appropriate tool here?? A ratchet and socket seem too big for the job.


HELP!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! !!!!!!!!!!

:mad :crazy: :mad :crazy: :cry :cry :cry :( :( :cuss :cuss :skep:

wombvette

Ugh, You are not saving the old bumper are you? Take a razor knife and cut the rubber bumper off the car an inch from the edge. Then you can get to them.

74BBcherryred

Iagree cut the old one off and buy your self a ratched wrench for the size you need Dave :auto:

Desertdawg

I agree too.

I Just had to laugh at your name..."spinealigner" Very funny :lol:

Best one I have seen in awhile...Is it your occupation?

spinealigner

Yes, I am a chiropractor.

Okay, that solves my problem for removal, but I still wil have to get at those bolts to put the new bumper on. How do you do that and what tool do you use? Surely someone on here has done this before.

Desertdawg

Very good choice of username. :cheers: put a grin on my face.... :D

Skeets

I took mine off a few years ago to have it re-painted .... i think i used a small spanner to take off the upper bolts, they were very awkward to get to and yes, it did take me AGES... but it is possible.

... i think i have a photo somewhere, of my car without the bumper if you need some encouragement!!

NHvette

There are some aluminum supports that were used for keeping the poly
bumper in shape and in place. These supports were removed before my
fiberglass bumper was installed by the previous owner. With these supports
removed, it was quite easy to wrench off all the bolts.

I can try and dig up some pics (none online right now).

:seeya

Chucks76

Heres what I(Bubba) did. I took a valve cover spreader, ran a bolt through it, and put duct tape over that to hold it in place while starting the nut. I did not use a new metal piece. I used regular bolts and nuts, duct tape and those SBC valve cover spreaders. Worked very good. Been 4 years with no complaints. :cheers:


[Modified by Chucks76, 2:30 PM 3/17/2003]

Paul Borowski

I also "cut off" my '75's rear bumper near the edge of the fiberglass with razor knife, then, took a handheld 90*grinder and ground out each individual "stud" in the retainer and "popped" it through. Was done in less than 1 hour :yesnod:

lil ski

I just took mine off last weekend and the ratching wrench worked the best I had 2 different ones a off set one and a straight one not sure how it will go back on to much work to do before I get to that. Be glad your a spine person you will need it after you done :smash: :flag