Removing rear bumper

[Boxtaboy]

I've removed my rear bumper before to install a sports exhaust. To remove the bumper, first remove the bumperettes by removing them with an allen key in the hole below each bumperette. Then, remove all the screws underneath the bottom side of the bumper. I think there are 6 in total along the bottom, plus one on each side located inside each rear wheel well. The final screws holding the bumper cover on are located on top of the bumper cover, but those can only be accessed by removing the rear spoiler.

To do this, just manually raise the rear spoiler, push out the plastic pop rivets located in the black metal portion of the spoiler (you'll be able to retreive and reuse these once you remove the spoiler frame, as they drop into the frame), and pop off the painted top portion of the spoiler. After removing the painted top portion of the spoiler, you will be able to look down the hollow black metal frame of the spoiler and see two hex bolts. Remove these, and you'll be able to pull out the metal frame, which then gives you access to the screws holding the top of the bumper cover. Once this is done, the bumper cover is free, but remember to disconnect the electrical wire that connects to the license plate bulbs before fully pulling out the bumper cover.

Tip: When putting spoiler back on, tighten the hex bolts that secure the black metal frame of the spoiler while the spoiler is in the fully retracted position. If you secure the bolts with the spoiler up, when you retract the spoiler, it will end up sitting a bit too high from the bumper, and it will look like there's a gap between the spoiler and the bumper when the spoiler is in the down position. Ask me how I know this?

[RandallNeighbour]

May God bless you for these logical instructions. Much better than the German who translated the stuff I have on hand!

[Boxtaboy]

Originally Posted by RandallNeighbour

May God bless you for these logical instructions. Much better than the German who translated the stuff I have on hand!

No problem, and good luck!

...oh, and don't forget to reconnect the wire to the license plate bulb before putting the bumper cover back as well. Ask me how I know this too!

[pompous]

This is gonna sound ridiculous...How do you manually raise the spoiler?

[Boxtaboy]

Originally Posted by pompous

This is gonna sound ridiculous...How do you manually raise the spoiler?

With the car turned on and at idle (or just twist the ignition key until the dash lights come on), look down at your fuse box cover near the dead pedal. There is a little rocker switch there. Press the upper part of the rocker switch, and the spoiler will raise. To put it down, keep the lower part of the rocker switch pressed for about 3 seconds, and it will retract.