Replacing black lip under front bumper

[Lee456]

I tried using search, but "lip" turned up nothing and adding "bumper" changed that to several hundred hits, so I'll just ask. I live in one of those areas where the sidewalks were just put in with a rounded curb so they wouldn't have to plan the driveways. The Speed3 goes over it OK, barely, at an angle but the black lip under the front bumper hits if I go out too straight. I was driving a Wrangler before so it took a while to get used to being real carefully pulling out. I've learned now, but the black lip is pretty beat up and actually bent away from the bumper a little on one side so I want to replace it.

How hard is it?
Do you have to remove the bumper?
Anyone know about how much the part costs? I can check with the dealer next week, but I'd appeciate even a close guess. I'm thinking $125 since dealer parts aren't cheap, but I'm hoping for less.

Thanks.

 

[Kindred]

It's held on by rivets, so it wouldn't be an overly simple job to remove. As for needing to remove the bumper, I don't believe it's neccesary, but it would certainly make the job a bit easier.

 

[Hank3]

The part you're looking for is #19 in the diagram below. It's called the lower deflector (left and right). As you can see, it's in two pieces. double A-ron is correct in that it's held on by rivets. You'll have to drill them off. Find the right sized bit and it shouldn't take long. You might have to use pliers to pull the remnants off. To install the new ones, just get a rivet gun and proper-sized rivets. The deflectors themselves cost $22 a piece. PM me and I can forward you a link that has free shipping for parts - and actually this online dealer is located in Mesa so it's a short drive for you. Hope that helps.

http://www.trademotion.com/schematics/5/5417025.gif

 

[Lee456]

Thanks for the replies. At least the parts are a lot less than I expected. I just spent 10 minutes crawling around looking at it and it's far to hot in the garage to do it now. I think I'll let it go until fall when it's not 100+ in my garage all day.

 

[cyberspeed3]

I've done this. It is indeed riveted on. With 11 rivets. I had to remove the rivets with a drill. They came out really easy. If I remember you also have to remove the small pieces in the bottom corners of the wheel wells. Those are also riveted on. 2 Rivets each side. The rivets on the wheel well pieces are Black Powder Coated for appearance. You can order those from the dealer. I chose to use plastic push pins for these corner pieces as well.

It is not difficult but you need to remove the bumper cover. Just watch when you remove the bolts in the upper wheel wells attaching the cover to the fender. It is easy to damage the paint with your ratchet when trying to get to these bolts. But if your careful you'll be fine. I found this easier to lay on my back and look straight up at the bolts.

When you get the old rivets removed go to Pep Boys or whereever and use the Plastic push pins (same type as the two under the car holding the belly pan) to put it back on instead of rivets. You'll see some of the holes from the rivets are small and some are large. Use the large ones to put the push pins into. It will hold fine. I think I as able to use 6 or 8 pins to put it back on. I think they went nutty thinking they needed 11 rivets to hold the plastic Moustache piece. Using plastic pins will make it much easier to replace again in the future. Because you will eventually. Two days after putting the new one on. I drove out of some parking lot and SSSSssccccrrraapppeee AGAIN!

Good luck

 

[petty]

Replacing a front bumper will gonna cost a bundle. The best thing is to call at your local junk yard and see if they have a stock bumper. Check this one, How To Replace a Front Bumper.

 

[Lee456]

I wimped out and had the dealer do it while it was there for the oil change. It's way too hot to do it in my garage. Since moving to Phoenix 5 years ago I still haven't gotten used to the idea that it's over 100 in the garage all day and evening for 4 months.

They did a good job. It's on there tight and it only took them about half an hour. The $58 labor was worth it to me since I don't even own a rivet tool.

Thanks for all the advice everyone.

 

[JoshAllDay]

When in doubt just look around and find a mechanic that you can trust. A bumper isn't that minor a thing even though some may think so. Safety first! Find a mechanic by you and you shouldn't be disappointed.