I've got a new dashpad and a new front bumper coming in the next few weeks, and I was wondering about how to take off the old one? The dashpad, I believe, is just the screws in the vent and the ones under the front lip. I've never done an external panel before except the hood, so is there any advice out there on how to swap them? Thanks ahead...

-Reno

 

The dashpad is really easy i think ts like 5 or 6 screws in the front and then u have 4 in the vent but dont do wht i did and drop the screws in the vent youll never see them again... use a magnetic screwdriver or stuff somethin in the vent so it wont fall through..

 

Thanks RS, now anyone about the front bumper cover?


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Reno
'88 Firebird LB8
"Cerberus"
Lots done, lots doing.
Slowly building exterior now, new front bumper, then Formula wheels, then ASCD hood, then 91 GTA spoiler, all unpainted/mismatched til I can afford a good paintjob!!!

 

All bolts are 10mm (or 3/8") sockets... all screws are 7mm (or 9/32") sockets-- unless otherwise spec'd.

First, remove the blinker screws, and get the blinkers out of the way. The obvious bolts for the front bumper are in front of the hood latch. You will have to remove plastic fasteners that hold the bottom of the bumper cover to the steel bumper; I think there's six of those. That takes care of the obvious ones...

Next, from beneath, to gain access to the hidden ones, you'll have to remove your air dam and side-panel assembly. You know, the side pieces that cover the bottoms of the fenders. I think you can remove the side pieces from the air dam itself, but I usually remove the whole thing as one unit. The bolts for the air dam are 13mm I think, and the screws holding the side panels to the fender bottom and bumper bottom are 7mm (or 9/32").

Once that black plastic stuff is outta the way, look at the edge where the front of the fender meets the bumper. (This is a tight spot. It's easiest with your flip-up lights removed, but unless you have a reason to, don't bother. )

You'll see two obvious 10mm screws for the bottom half. On the top half, there are two 7/16" socket "fake" nuts- they're stamped from steel, and are a pain, because they're on long cast-iron studs. You'll either need a long 7/16" socket (isn't that 11mm?), or you'll need to put a short socket on 'em, and not insert the ratchet handle all the way.

Earlier 82-84 models used "real" studs and "real" nuts for those upper two screws. I can only imagine GM went to the "fake" ones to save $$.

Next- is your new bumper complete with the hangers (metal across the top)? If not, you'll need to transfer your old bumper's hanger onto the new bumper. This isn't a big deal.. the hanger rests along the top edge of the bumper, near the first bolts I told you to remove. It's held on with the same 9/32" socket screws. Usually a bumper comes without the hanger- and a junkyard will actually charge more if you want the bumper & hanger... go figure. When I got my bumper cover from a junkyard, I took the hanger off and re-used my old one.

If your bumper does come with a hanger, you might need to transfer your hood-stops onto the new hanger.

Good luck, hope this helps!


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-Tom P (Hot rodded 1986 Firebird 2.8l) from http://www.f-body.net/mailbag/3rd/3rd_mailbag.html message boards

 

So I'm calling he body shop tonight...

ACK! That sounded a lot morew complex then I expected. Oh well, I guess I'll give it a shot. What the worst that can happen, I"ll be cruising around with my bumper showing for a few days,right?

-Reno

 

It's not hard, dude, I just exhausted the small details.

Oh- and besides- the car looks pretty bad-*** driving around without a bumper. People move right over in the fast lane! Take off the black honey-comb impact-absorber, and the car reminded me of an old Charger..

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-Tom P (Hot rodded 1986 Firebird 2.8l) from http://www.f-body.net/mailbag/3rd/3rd_mailbag.html message boards

[This message has been edited by TomP (edited October 12, 2000).]

 

Now THAT sounds like a good idea, LOL! Talk about your cold air induction...

-Reno