How Do I Remove Front Bumper On 4.2 Rav

[jps71]

Hi Guys

I had the misfortune this morning of hitting a sheep (which buggered off)

It has badly dented the front bumper on the passenger side corner which has pushed the indicator & fog light out at an angle.

Can soneone please tell me how I remove the bumper so that I can push the worst of the dent out and refit the lights.

Cheers Jim

[Big Kev]

Off for a spot of Physio, Jim, but be back in an hour or so...send me yer home email and will send you a pdf I kept of Hoovie's good instructions on how to remove.

Unfortuinate choice of phrase re the sheep "buggering off..."....did you have plans for it...? Candlelit dinner...?

Trust it was the main course and not yer date....?

Big Kev

[*srjp*]

If it's urgent and you can't wait for the PDF, as I remember it...

FIRST: Put some carpet or mats down under the bumper to protect it when you let it drop.

Open the bonnet and remove the little screws holding the grille in place (on top), then remove the screws from the colour-coded strip thing under the grille in the same manner. This bit is attached at each side under the headlamps by 2 plastic clips (2x each side) which go into the wing. Try not to break them.

If I remember correctly, once that's removed there then remain some poppers holding the actual bumper on.

Get under the car and remove the screws/bolts (socket set is easier than screwdriver IMO) from anything that looks like it attaches the bumper to the car. There are other bolts on the sump tray here - just remove the ones holding the bumper plastic in place.

Under the wheels are two more attachments. One is right at the bottom corner and the other is pretty much directly above it within the wing. Pull the mud-protection trim aside to see it/ them. You can get at both easily just by turning the wheels.

Basically you'll end up with about two dozen bolts/screws of different sizes, and probably a couple of broken clips... It's not hard and should take no more than half an hour.

[jps71]

Hi Kev main course came to mind when I hit it LOL.

I have pmed you my email address.

Thanks for the info srjp :)

Cheers Jim

[IanXT4]

This YouTube video shows how to go about using heat to recover a bumper.

[jps71]

Thanka for that Ian it looks interesting.

If I can work out how to get the lights back in with out removing the bumper I will give it a go.

Cheers Jim

[Big Kev]

Thanka for that Ian it looks interesting.

If I can work out how to get the lights back in with out removing the bumper I will give it a go.

Cheers Jim

And have just PeeEmmed you Jim....instructions from the illustrious Hoovie are in pinned section at top of page for removing bumper. If you need a heat gun, jist shout.

Big Kev

[jps71]

Thanka for that Ian it looks interesting.

If I can work out how to get the lights back in with out removing the bumper I will give it a go.

Cheers Jim

And have just PeeEmmed you Jim....instructions from the illustrious Hoovie are in pinned section at top of page for removing bumper. If you need a heat gun, jist shout.

Big Kev

Hi Big Kev

Thanks for that :)

I hope you have good hearing as I will be shouting from Shetland :)

I have a heat gun thanks for the offer though.

Cheers Jim

[IanXT4]

Good luck. Be very careful with the heat gun if its a paint stripper model, you only have to linger for a second to bubble/burn the paint.

A good hair dryer might be provide more gentle heat to start the process.

[Joylove]

A bit of WD40 or Plusgas on those bolts might be a good idea to get them out without snapping them. They are in a pretty exposed location.

[jps71]

Thanks for the info.

Just need a dry day to do it now :)

[Big Kev]

Thanks for the info.

Just need a dry day to do it now :)

....never knew there were TWO Shetlands, Jamesy....a dry day, eh...?

[jps71]

Well a quick update.

Managed to get round to doing the job today.

Thankfully it turned out I didn't have to even remove the bumper.

I managed to get the indicator and front fog light out and it turned out neither of them where damaged :)

Then I managed to get my hand behind the dents and with a heat gun on a low setting pointing at the front of the bumper managed to push it all back in to shape :) :)

The only marks left are a slight bit of scuffing where the lights where moved in the accident and a very faint crease near the lights that wouldn't straighten.

So all in all the jobs a goodun :):):)

Total time including removing and refitting the lights 20 minutes.

Would hate to think what a garage would have charged for the same job.

Thanks to every one for the help and advice.