As requested from an eariler post.....here's the front bumper removal walkthrough. There wasn't a "Technical / how-to" child board for the Exterior mod section of the forum, so I hope that this will become either a sticky post or spur the creation for a new child board for this section. Anyhow, I hope you guys appreciate all the how-to's/walkthroughs that I've written so far. As always, donations for my time & effort are always welcome
Use & Disclaimer:
- Please do not cross-post this how-to guide / walkthrough and its content (pictures, textual information, etc) to any other forums or boards outside of M**************** without first requesting & gaining my permission.[/li]
- This short how-to should not be used as an all-encompassing walkthrough. It is simply a brief description of my procedures for removal & installation, and I am not responsible for any damages or injuries that may result.
How-To Guide: Front Bumper removal/install for the Mazda3s Sedan
Tools needed
- Ratchet w/ 8mm socket & 1-2" extension
- phillips screwdriver
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1.) Using the ratchet, 8mm socket and extension ... Remove the (
11; 3 left portion, 5 center portion, 3 right portion of the lower splashguard) 8mm bolts holding the splash guard sections to the bottom of the bumper. The picture below shows only 7, but there
are 11 to remove.
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2.) Using a phillips screwdriver ... Go to the front wheelwells and remove the (
4; 2 per side) fore plastic clips holding the splashguard. Turn the wheels left/right to gain the necessary clearance.
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3.) While still in the wheelwell area, gently pull the plastic splashguard away from the bumper. Then using a phillips screwdriver or ratchet w/ 8mm socket & extension ... Remove the (
2; 1 per side) 8mm bolts that hold the rearmost top corner of the bumper to the fender. Again, turn the wheels left/right to gain the necessary clearance.
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4.) Using a phillips screwdriver ... Remove the (
2) plastic clips and the (
2) metal screws on the top of the bumper near the front grille area.
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5.) Next, go down and unclip the foglight wire from the bumper and remove the foglight bulb / socket from the foglight.
Sorry...no picture for this step. Should be self-explanatory
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6.) After you've removed all of the mounting hardware, there are only clips from this point on. Go back to both side portions of the bumper and pull gently outwards, the bumper should unclip from the fender.
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7.) Then go to the front of the bumper and look down the bumper/ radiator gap behind the grille ... you should see (
2) large black rectangluar-shaped plastic hook clips that hold the bumper in place to the bumper reinforcement frame/styrofoam pad, unclip it.
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8.) After doing all of the above steps *carefully* the bumper should be free. So just slighlty tilt it and pull it towards you. Make sure you lay a towel / blanket / carpet down and place the bumper down on that so you won't scratch the paint.
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For installation / re-installation of the front bumper, just simply work backwards.
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- Please do not cross-post this how-to guide / walkthrough and its content (pictures, textual information, etc) to any other forums or boards outside of M**************** without first requesting & gaining my permission.[/li]
- This short how-to should not be used as an all-encompassing walkthrough. It is simply a brief description of my procedures for removal & installation, and I am not responsible for any damages or injuries that may result.
