Topic: Bumper removal tips
in Forum: C3 Body
Already a Member?
Click Here to Login
Not yet a Member?
Click Here to Register for Free!
Lifetime MemberAsh Fork, AZ - USA
Joined: 4/18/2007
Posts: 1058
Vette(s): 1981 Red Interior White exterior
Just prepping myself for this little job. Any tricks that will help me get the bumpers off and back on my 81 successfully?
Dave C..........My mantra: I can not be bought!! Long and short term leases available.
In the words of Zora Arkus-Duntov "Is your seat belt fastened? Alright, Let's go"
Yeah, I know, Shut up Dave.
Yeah, I know, Shut up Dave.
Lifetime Member #192
SPONSOR AD:: (Our Sponsors help support C3VR)
Lifetime MemberModerator
Duncanville, TX - USA
Joined: 11/8/2003
Posts: 20214
Vette(s): #1-1974 L-48 4spd Cp Med Red Metallic/Black deluxe int w/AC/tilt/tele./p/w-p/b/
Am-Fm/map light National/Regional/Chapter NCRS "Top Flight"
#2-1985 Bright Red/Carmine Cp.L-98/auto
Member: NCRS, NCRS Texas, Corvette Legends of Texas
Go ahead and buy new retainers....you'll wind up twisting at least half of the studs off the old ones. 
Joel Adams
C3VR Lifetime Member #56 
My Link 
(click for Texas-sized view!) NCRS
"Money can't buy happiness -- but somehow it's more comforting to cry in a CORVETTE than in a Kia"
Sledgehammer. That'll successfully remove those stubborn bumpers. 
TKO500 5 spd.
Borgeson Steering Box
Born 8/1981
Sequence #3975
Click here to see more pics of my Vette on CarDomain.
Lifetime Member #26
Lifetime MemberModerator
Duncanville, TX - USA
Joined: 11/8/2003
Posts: 20214
Vette(s): #1-1974 L-48 4spd Cp Med Red Metallic/Black deluxe int w/AC/tilt/tele./p/w-p/b/
Am-Fm/map light National/Regional/Chapter NCRS "Top Flight"
#2-1985 Bright Red/Carmine Cp.L-98/auto
Member: NCRS, NCRS Texas, Corvette Legends of Texas
Sarge81 said: Sledgehammer. That'll successfully remove those stubborn bumpers.
With only slight touch-up afterwards.... 
I'm not 100% sure if the '80-'82 cars used the stud/nut type bumper cover retainers, or if they used the stainless steel strips with screws....
I know that a some the replacement retainers ARE of the strip/screw type(that dint quite sound rite, did it?
).At any rate, the upper, outer corner fasteners will be the hardest to get to. Small hands and lottsa patience will be good to have...which prollly means you'll need someone to help, Dave....
In looking at parts suppliers, it appears that the replacement retainers do use the stud/nut type fasteners...
So..be prepared to twist at least half of them off....and be prepared to either replace them, OR...you can knock out the broken studs from the retainers(carefully, so you don't bend the retainers),, drill the square holes out where the studs were, and replace with nuts & bolts. The nuts & bolts approach, while it will save some $$$, it adds a lot of time to re-installing the retainers/bumper cover, unless you tack-weld the bolts to the retainer.
Are we having FUN yet?
Joel Adams
C3VR Lifetime Member #56
My Link
(click for Texas-sized view!) NCRS
"Money can't buy happiness -- but somehow it's more comforting to cry in a CORVETTE than in a Kia"
Lifetime MemberAsh Fork, AZ - USA
Joined: 4/18/2007
Posts: 1058
Vette(s): 1981 Red Interior White exterior
Sarge81 said: Sledgehammer. That'll successfully remove those stubborn bumpers.
Shoot, I was just going to use a sawz-all.
Dave C..........My mantra: I can not be bought!! Long and short term leases available.
In the words of Zora Arkus-Duntov "Is your seat belt fastened? Alright, Let's go"
Yeah, I know, Shut up Dave.
Yeah, I know, Shut up Dave.
Lifetime Member #192
Lifetime MemberEquinunk, PA - USA
Joined: 10/31/2007
Posts: 2465
Vette(s): 1972 conv, 4-speed, 350, 200hp, numbers match, rally wheels, war bonnett yellow w/white top. good condition, nice driver.
You'll probably break it anyway, so just buy new ones and put them on the correct way, with all new fasteners.
just thought I'd throw in that I started to remove the retainer strip you guys are talking about and to my surprise the nuts all came loose like nothing, I thought to myself " Nice "
Just a teaser I'm sure but sure hoping everything else goes as well
Lifetime MemberAsh Fork, AZ - USA
Joined: 4/18/2007
Posts: 1058
Vette(s): 1981 Red Interior White exterior
Still haven't started the breakdown process. I hate to put the car "up on blocks" after just getting back on the road this year. Probably get back to it in late spring/early summer.
Dave C..........My mantra: I can not be bought!! Long and short term leases available.
In the words of Zora Arkus-Duntov "Is your seat belt fastened? Alright, Let's go"
Yeah, I know, Shut up Dave.
Yeah, I know, Shut up Dave.
Lifetime Member #192
Lifetime MemberEquinunk, PA - USA
Joined: 10/31/2007
Posts: 2465
Vette(s): 1972 conv, 4-speed, 350, 200hp, numbers match, rally wheels, war bonnett yellow w/white top. good condition, nice driver.
Now "THAT'S" a statement I can agree with!in Forum: C3 Body
SPONSOR AD: (Our Sponsors help support C3VR)