I was installing a front bumper cover on my car and had an unusual moment of insight: Instead of using the little aluminum nut things (that are factory installed) to mount the cover onto the fenders, use nuts from the rear bumper. If you pull the spare tire cover, you'll see that the rear bumper cover is mounted to the rear 1/4s with a few nuts. These fit perfectly onto the studs that are used to mount the front bumper cover. They are MUCH easier to install, and allow you to fit the bumper cover much closer to the front fender...

Get 'em off a car at the JY, or buy some from the hardware store.

Just my $0.02, hope this helps make things a little easier.

MILT