How to take out 01 Accord Bumper?
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How to take out 01 Accord Bumper?
I recently got into a fender bender, and now my front left side headlamp is damaged; can anyone help or tell me how to remove the bumper.. Thanks in advance..
Michel
Michel
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From: NJ
hi welcome to han. usually, doing a search can help you find answers quicker than waiting for someone to reply. chances are that the question has already been asked. 
the bumper is held on by 4 clips on top, 6 clips underneath, a bolt in each wheelwell, and 2 bolts underneath
the bumper is held on by 4 clips on top, 6 clips underneath, a bolt in each wheelwell, and 2 bolts underneath
Last edited by Misa; Jul 12, 2006 at 10:35 PM.
Thread Starter
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Thanks Jani.. I did.. I looked all over the forum, but to no avail.. On the top, can you be more specific where they are located.. I found two under the hood, but I've yet to find the other two you spoke of.
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From: north of Atlanta, GA
Some of the plastic fasteners are located in the area just above the upper grill opening - actually on the lip of the front bumper that attaches to the stamped sheet metal 'radiator support' that runs from one side of the car to the other. They are only visable when the hood is raised. Although a special tool is recommended to remove those pesty plastic fasteners, if you're careful (and patient) you should be able to remove them by prying up on the smaller round 'tab' in the center of the fastener - they function not unlike 'molley bolts' that are used to hang stuff thru drywall in your house.
On the other hand, the similar type fasteners that secure the bottom of the bumper cover can be a bxxch to remove due to often being damaged against parking lot curbing, etc. and due to a bulld-up of road crud. Plan on needing to replace a couple of them, at a min. They are available from Honda but beware that Honda is mighty proud of them (list is approx $4.50 each). I'm going to try out some similar type, but far less costly fasteners from an auto parts store ("Help" parts display found in many auto parts places such as Advance Auto, AutoZone, PepBoys, etc.).
Note that Honda uses two different sizes of these fasteners on the ftop and bottom of the front bumper - pay attention to that when you remove them - duh.
The bolts that secure the fenders on in the wheel well area face 'back' towards the wheel, and are near the top of the bumper cover (1 per side). You may need to turn the wheel hard left and then hard right to access them. A stubby phillips-type screwdriver should work okay. The other bolts are located at the extreme rear area of the bumper cover underneath and face downward (upward?) attaching the bumper cover to the bottom of the car - use a 10mm wrench or socket to remove them (1 per side).
A dumb suggestion perhaps, but have a helper on hand to assist in the actual removal so you don't scratch the bumper when removing it - it's super lightweight, but clumsy to handle. Have some moving blankets on hand or large towels to rest the bumper cover on, as it scratches easily. (if it's damaged - search: 'bumper repair' on this forum to see my recent DIY re: how to repair polypropylene bumper covers such as used on Hondas)
When replacing the bumper, note that the bumper cover snuggles into a recess under each headlight housing, and also on the sides where the bumper cover abuts the horizontal juncture w/ the fender. It should just snap back in - friction holds the bumper cover in place between some sheet metal clips attached to the fender - no need to remove them.
A final thought: purchase a shop manual - best one is Helms' Honda Factory Service Manual available online (and sometimes found on eBay) -make sure you specify year and whether it's a 4 door sedan or a coupe, and whether a V6 or an I4 (there's an additional V6 supplement required in addition to the basic Helms Accord manual). The Helms manuals are not inexpensive, but at the absurd labor rates charged by Honda dealers, they typically pay for themselves w/ the first repair you tackle. As a far less costly, but by no means as complete an alternative to the Helms manual, is a Haynes service manual that covers all ('98-'02) gen 6 Accords in one book (check eBay or your local auto parts house).
btw - most lube shops have that special fastener removal tool on hand since some cars (like VWs) require an undercar splash shield to be removed to change an oil filter, etc.
Hope this helps - you'll be surprised as to how quickly you can r& r a Honda bumper. . .
On the other hand, the similar type fasteners that secure the bottom of the bumper cover can be a bxxch to remove due to often being damaged against parking lot curbing, etc. and due to a bulld-up of road crud. Plan on needing to replace a couple of them, at a min. They are available from Honda but beware that Honda is mighty proud of them (list is approx $4.50 each). I'm going to try out some similar type, but far less costly fasteners from an auto parts store ("Help" parts display found in many auto parts places such as Advance Auto, AutoZone, PepBoys, etc.).
Note that Honda uses two different sizes of these fasteners on the ftop and bottom of the front bumper - pay attention to that when you remove them - duh.
The bolts that secure the fenders on in the wheel well area face 'back' towards the wheel, and are near the top of the bumper cover (1 per side). You may need to turn the wheel hard left and then hard right to access them. A stubby phillips-type screwdriver should work okay. The other bolts are located at the extreme rear area of the bumper cover underneath and face downward (upward?) attaching the bumper cover to the bottom of the car - use a 10mm wrench or socket to remove them (1 per side).
A dumb suggestion perhaps, but have a helper on hand to assist in the actual removal so you don't scratch the bumper when removing it - it's super lightweight, but clumsy to handle. Have some moving blankets on hand or large towels to rest the bumper cover on, as it scratches easily. (if it's damaged - search: 'bumper repair' on this forum to see my recent DIY re: how to repair polypropylene bumper covers such as used on Hondas)
When replacing the bumper, note that the bumper cover snuggles into a recess under each headlight housing, and also on the sides where the bumper cover abuts the horizontal juncture w/ the fender. It should just snap back in - friction holds the bumper cover in place between some sheet metal clips attached to the fender - no need to remove them.
A final thought: purchase a shop manual - best one is Helms' Honda Factory Service Manual available online (and sometimes found on eBay) -make sure you specify year and whether it's a 4 door sedan or a coupe, and whether a V6 or an I4 (there's an additional V6 supplement required in addition to the basic Helms Accord manual). The Helms manuals are not inexpensive, but at the absurd labor rates charged by Honda dealers, they typically pay for themselves w/ the first repair you tackle. As a far less costly, but by no means as complete an alternative to the Helms manual, is a Haynes service manual that covers all ('98-'02) gen 6 Accords in one book (check eBay or your local auto parts house).
btw - most lube shops have that special fastener removal tool on hand since some cars (like VWs) require an undercar splash shield to be removed to change an oil filter, etc.
Hope this helps - you'll be surprised as to how quickly you can r& r a Honda bumper. . .
Last edited by buffalobill; Jul 17, 2006 at 05:06 PM.