Removing front bumper, DIY - how-to Options

[Batman722]

this is for removing the front bumper from a 94-99 Celica ST,GT,GT-Four

Manny and I did this with his car (beautiful st205 front conversion) and I assure you the process is the exact same with the at200 (ST) and st204 (GT)

Tools needed :
flathead screwdriver
phillips head screwdriver
10mm socket, rachet, a few extensions, swivel

Time :
30min-45min depending on skill level

first, open your hood and prop open - and remove registration plate (if applicable)

1 - remove 4 bolts (10mm) on the top of the bumper (the retainer) and put retainer aside




2 - remove 4 plastic drivers holding the bumper onto the re-bar (crash bar) with a flathead screwdriver


detailed view



3 - remove 8 screws/bolts holding the bottom of the bumper to the under plastics




4 - unscrew turn signals (phillips head screw driver) and remove/disconnect housings (both sides)




5 - next is the tricky part. There are 3 nuts (10mm) holding the bumper to the fender (on each side) - located here



what I did was I pushed the wheel well plastic aside and stuck my hand/arm in to remove nuts



the bottom and the middle nuts are easy, the top nut is more difficult. To remove all 3 I used this



the top one is located right at the top of the inside of the fender close to the headlight, it is tight in there, I recommend you use a 10mm DEEP socket for more reach.


6 - once all 6 nuts (3 each side) are removed, pull the front bumper strait off toward the front of the car. You may need to wiggle it a little bit (it is easier to have someone help, one person on each side of the bumper)

complete. To put the bumper back on, just reverse the directions



Notes/hints :
make sure to keep all bolts/nuts ect clean and organized. You will need these again to put the bumper back on. I recommend putting them into baggies and labeling.

[presure2]

good job, hommie.
added to the sticky

[ILuvMyCelica95]

it's about time someone did this!

[jgreening]

nice how-to Batman. I heard you might be interested in some skirts?

[Kadett]

Even i thought it wasnt worth making a how-to for, with my 2 left hands!!

Its so straight forward and easy. Then again it can always be helpfull for the newcomers!

[forkee]

awesome write up! ive done it so many times though i can do it in less than 10 minutes, lol.

[WannabeGT4]

Never had I heard anyone mention the 4 plastic clips that attach to the crash bar. Very thorough job. Thanks Batman.

[smerk]

thanks for the help batman

[Jdog1385]

good stuff batman, great write-up

[magnum]

Very good and imformative ,i must use this when i'm fitting my projectors

[devilsden97]

nicely done.

[dustin15brown]

great write up! It really helped.... and i do have one correction i think.... on step #1... my car had 2 driver lpastic pieces that i had to pop out after removing the 4 bolts....

[Batman722]

great write up! It really helped.... and i do have one correction i think.... on step #1... my car had 2 driver lpastic pieces that i had to pop out after removing the 4 bolts....

you are correct. There are 2 plastic pins - (one on each end of the bumper retainer) They usually break or get deformed when removing so I don't think I have ever put them back in, so they weren't there when Manny and I did the how-to pics.

[bigal004321]

Good write up! that will help me alot in the coming weeks. And that was quite the socket...lol...thanks for the helpful DIY..and hopefully we can get some more on other things also.

Bigal

[dustin15brown]

great write up! It really helped.... and i do have one correction i think.... on step #1... my car had 2 driver lpastic pieces that i had to pop out after removing the 4 bolts....

you are correct. There are 2 plastic pins - (one on each end of the bumper retainer) They usually break or get deformed when removing so I don't think I have ever put them back in, so they weren't there when Manny and I did the how-to pics.

O I totally understand that I just wasn't able to get that bar off in the first place and thought it might be frustrating for other members who were not aware of it so I just thought I would bring it to someones attention. Thanks again for the write up Dustin!

[lingham]

this is for removing the front bumper from a 94-99 Celica ST,GT,GT-Four

Manny and I did this with his car (beautiful st205 front conversion) and I assure you the process is the exact same with the at200 (ST) and st204 (GT)

Tools needed :
flathead screwdriver
phillips head screwdriver
10mm socket, rachet, a few extensions, swivel

Time :
30min-45min depending on skill level

first, open your hood and prop open - and remove registration plate (if applicable)

1 - remove 4 bolts (10mm) on the top of the bumper (the retainer) and put retainer aside




2 - remove 4 plastic drivers holding the bumper onto the re-bar (crash bar) with a flathead screwdriver


detailed view



3 - remove 8 screws/bolts holding the bottom of the bumper to the under plastics




4 - unscrew turn signals (phillips head screw driver) and remove/disconnect housings (both sides)




5 - next is the tricky part. There are 3 nuts (10mm) holding the bumper to the fender (on each side) - located here



what I did was I pushed the wheel well plastic aside and stuck my hand/arm in to remove nuts



the bottom and the middle nuts are easy, the top nut is more difficult. To remove all 3 I used this



the top one is located right at the top of the inside of the fender close to the headlight, it is tight in there, I recommend you use a 10mm DEEP socket for more reach.


6 - once all 6 nuts (3 each side) are removed, pull the front bumper strait off toward the front of the car. You may need to wiggle it a little bit (it is easier to have someone help, one person on each side of the bumper)

complete. To put the bumper back on, just reverse the directions



Notes/hints :
make sure to keep all bolts/nuts ect clean and organized. You will need these again to put the bumper back on. I recommend putting them into baggies and labeling.

Great job, really well done. Thanks

[Tech9ine]

good timing, I'm planning on doing this very soon, thanks for the pointers.

[mzztoyota]

This is going to be such a huge help when I replace my totally deformed bumper

[My2Celi]

man that was a pita. especially that one bolt under the high beam. but done. but the guide was very usefull A++

This post has been edited by My2Celi: Sep 21, 2006 - 2:35 AM

[Rayme]

If I were to remove teh low beams, would that give me access to the bolts on the side?

I removed teh fender wells 2 times already and I HATE doing it… lol

[l19tly]

thanks for that batman i was wondering how to get the bumper off thanks for the help bud!! i can now modify my lights

[94_c3lica_gt]

This is very awesomely helpful, if you ever do a fender removal how-to, let me know. thanks!

[thespacepanda]

Nice write-up man. It helped us out. But I have a question...

Is there a special trick to getting those plastic pins out of the crashbar without destroying them? Because I tried my hardest not to tear them up (there were only 2 in there anyway) but they're in pieces now. Got a little frustrated at the plastic.

[aspen]

Nice write-up man. It helped us out. But I have a question...

Is there a special trick to getting those plastic pins out of the crashbar without destroying them? Because I tried my hardest not to tear them up (there were only 2 in there anyway) but they're in pieces now. Got a little frustrated at the plastic.

+1

[D-Man]

Good Job Batman! Now all you gotta do is send me those High and low beam headlighs, and you'll be finished

Nice write-up man. It helped us out. But I have a question...

Is there a special trick to getting those plastic pins out of the crashbar without destroying them? Because I tried my hardest not to tear them up (there were only 2 in there anyway) but they're in pieces now. Got a little frustrated at the plastic.

Pray. I think removing those clips without breaking them is concitered an "Act of God"

[njccmd2002]

break them, then get replacement parts from autoparts. they are 3 bucks for 4. No biggie.

unless you whant them OEM... I broke all 4 when i put my chicken grill but i have the plugs ordered online.

This post has been edited by njccmd2002: Mar 31, 2008 - 12:54 PM

[GotToyota]

break them, then get replacement parts from autoparts. they are 3 bucks for 4. No biggie.

unless you whant them OEM... I broke all 4 when i put my chicken grill but i have the plugs ordered online.

What is the name of those pieces so I can go get some tomorrow if I break mine?

So if you break them, you don't necessarily need them? Since some are saying they didn't put them back in.

-Matt

[ej8ferio702]

very helpful just what i was looking for=] thanksfor a really nicely detailed write up..this will come in handy im in the process of installing my jdm oem fog lights and installing new set of usdm oem headlights...lol.. i am super lazy on working on my car due to other priorities but will be working on it when i get a chance..but thanks for this really good info

[mcsteamy]

Where did you get the clear headlamps been looking for a set of those

[ledge]

Thank You, nice How To. i was just planning on taking out my bumper know i know thanks

[Iceman22]

Is it possible in a smart way to remove the headlights (low beams), without removing the front bumper ?
I mean, there is only 3 bolts, it must be a way to remove them from the underside of the car?

[rave2n]

Is it possible in a smart way to remove the headlights (low beams), without removing the front bumper ?
I mean, there is only 3 bolts, it must be a way to remove them from the underside of the car?

No...any attempts will lead to broken tabs.

[Iceman22]

Then I have a BIG problem, I can not remove my front bumper anymore (see picture why), and I need to remove the headlights because they fail on MOT test, they are RHD and I live in LHD country... This is a nightmare...
I think I just gonna have to cut off the tabs holding the headlamp and just use one bolt instead of 3, or I have to destroy the frontbumper/spats and do it all over again...



This post has been edited by Iceman22: Apr 17, 2012 - 9:42 AM

[mak5603]

That's rough man!

[rave2n]

Aw that does suck...

I would redo the spats before I even thought about breaking the projectors.

I don't even think you could break the tabs and get it out that way...it just wouldn't fit with the crashbar and all the elements that hold them in place. It definatly cannot come out the rear..

This post has been edited by rave2n: Apr 17, 2012 - 10:57 AM

[mkernz22]

How dare you even think about breaking those projector lights! And you still wouldn't be able to get them out.
Should have thought about that before you molded your spats on. That's why I would never mold the front end because you never know when you'll need to take stuff off.

Edit: I was gunna say you could just unbolt the fenders with the bumper and take it off as a whole, but you also mold the side skirts to the fenders...

This post has been edited by mkernz22: Apr 17, 2012 - 2:14 PM

[Iceman22]

Sorry, I was desperate and in bad mood, I will not break the projector lights. Yeah I was stupid to agree on molding the front-end when I knew the headlights won't pass the test anyway. I'm a idiot...
I guess I have to pay for my mistake, send the car to someone that can somehow remove the spats and install them in a more clever way, or just cut a line downthrough so it will be possible to remove the front bumper.

This post has been edited by Iceman22: Apr 17, 2012 - 3:08 PM

[jordisonjr]

I think cuttin a line right down the splitters would be the best way.
Then one they are apart,you could just sand it so that the gap is equal the whole way through.
Then you can just put the bumper on and essentially have 2 pieces of splitter.

[rave2n]

I think cuttin a line right down the splitters would be the best way.
Then one they are apart,you could just sand it so that the gap is equal the whole way through.
Then you can just put the bumper on and essentially have 2 pieces of splitter.

I'd just take the thing off as a whole as you mentioned before. Cut it at the skirts.

[jordisonjr]

I'd much rather cut two splitters and risk messing them up then a set of TRD skirts.
Would be much cheaper te replace splitters than skirts, if you did happen to screw up.

And then you have to remove bumper and fenders, and have to worry about re aligning the fenders when you put them back on, and if the "molding" on from the splitters to the bumper and fender will hold up, cause it looks like they are only joined at a very small point.

Just my take on it though.

This post has been edited by jordisonjr: Apr 18, 2012 - 11:29 AM

[mkernz22]

I think cuttin a line right down the splitters would be the best way.
Then one they are apart,you could just sand it so that the gap is equal the whole way through.
Then you can just put the bumper on and essentially have 2 pieces of splitter.

I'd just take the thing off as a whole as you mentioned before. Cut it at the skirts.

You actually can't do that (I just realized) because there is a bolt under the low beams that you need to get to in order for the fenders to come off.

[rave2n]

I'd much rather cut two splitters and risk messing them up then a set of TRD skirts.
Would be much cheaper te replace splitters than skirts, if you did happen to screw up.

And then you have to remove bumper and fenders, and have to worry about re aligning the fenders when you put them back on, and if the "molding" on from the splitters to the bumper and fender will hold up, cause it looks like they are only joined at a very small point.

Just my take on it though.

Good points.

Reason I figured skirts is less surface area to cut, meaning less to repair.

This post has been edited by rave2n: Apr 18, 2012 - 2:01 PM

[jordisonjr]

Another thing is the TRD skirts are much harder to find/ship for a decent price than the splitters are.
But as stated before, Apparently you can't take off the bumper and fenders all at once.

[rave2n]

Well not trying to one up or anything here, but just because it is stated, doesn't make it factual



I don't see anything near the low beam socket that is attached to the fender. There is a the beam support, but that is not attached to said fender.

[mkernz22]

Yeah there is. Those two nuts right in front of you, and there is one on the underside of that section connecting the fender to the body.

This post has been edited by mkernz22: Apr 18, 2012 - 5:03 PM

[rave2n]

meh...we'll see tomorrow.

This post has been edited by rave2n: Apr 18, 2012 - 7:08 PM

[mkernz22]

meh...we'll see tomorrow.

I've taken apart 3 parts cars, 4 if you include my DD. You have to take the bumper off first, then the headlights, and then the fenders.

This post has been edited by mkernz22: Apr 18, 2012 - 7:27 PM

[rave2n]

meh...we'll see tomorrow.

I've taken apart 3 parts cars, 4 if you include my DD. You have to take the bumper off first, then the headlights, and then the fenders.

Cool thanks for the info!

[Iceman22]

Thanks for the tips guys, I will let the guys who takes the job start with the splitters and not messing the side skirts.
If it turns out it will be easier to break the splitters and do it over again then they just have to. I will just buy a new set (which isn't so expensive), and let them install it so I can remove them in the future..
The guy who did this molding is a great guy, he painted the car and it's good work, so I can't blame him, I guess he didn't know that is so hard to remove the headlights and that it was necessary..
I don't regret that the side skirts and rear bumper splitters is molded though, because they won't be needed to be removed unless there will be a car accident.

This post has been edited by Iceman22: Apr 18, 2012 - 8:24 PM

[richee3]

I'd personally just break the molding then sand down and touch up appropriately, and reinstall them as you wish. That's just me though. That's some really rotten luck... Is there no way to take the projectors off, do the cutoff mod, and have them approved?

[Bigblock]

Bumping it up.

Seems the subject is on a rise lately.

I followed it. Pics & instructs are great!!

Thanks Batman722!!

.... ....

[Topaz95GT]

Here we go. Wish me luck. Just fixed my tabs.

My 1 question is: Anyone got a how-to on wiring the 2nd bulb on these projectors? I saw the thread that said you can wire it into the side markers, wasn't sure if anyone else had any ideas.