Bumper removal
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Bumper removal
I have a '97 extended van and I was going to get a bumper from the junkyard. I figured it couldn't be too complicated, but I couldn't get the bumper off after removing 4 bolts from the lower flange. I checked for bolts/nuts on the upper flange and couldn't feel anything and I thought there must have been a trick to finding the remaining fasteners.
When I got back home, I took a look in the Ford manual and then compared it to my Aerostar and I'm confused. The manual shows 2 bolts on the lower flange, but when I look under the van, I see there are 4. The manual shows only 2 nuts on the upper flange, but it also shows that there are 4 studs on the bumper. When I look under the van, I can only find 2 studs/nuts on the upper flange. Are there 4 nuts holding the bumper on the upper flange? If so, where are those other suckers hiding? I took a look with a borescope where I thought the other 2 nuts might be, but the holes where the studs should be are blanked. I'm wondering if this is another case where the documentation doesn't match the van.
When I got back home, I took a look in the Ford manual and then compared it to my Aerostar and I'm confused. The manual shows 2 bolts on the lower flange, but when I look under the van, I see there are 4. The manual shows only 2 nuts on the upper flange, but it also shows that there are 4 studs on the bumper. When I look under the van, I can only find 2 studs/nuts on the upper flange. Are there 4 nuts holding the bumper on the upper flange? If so, where are those other suckers hiding? I took a look with a borescope where I thought the other 2 nuts might be, but the holes where the studs should be are blanked. I'm wondering if this is another case where the documentation doesn't match the van.
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I'm guessing Mike is talking about the rear bumper, and it sounds like Pablo is talking about the front.
I've seen the rear bumper was held in with 2 AND 4 bolts on each side. It's been a while since I've done this, but I think once you remove those bolts on the rear flange, the bumper should start drooping, and the only thing holding it back are a couple of strut pieces near the front of the side pieces. Once you remove those struts, the whole assembly should just pull back. Be careful to apply even pressure, as the side pieces are attached to the rear piece with some bolts through some plastic ears that can break easily. If the rear doesn't droop after removing those 2/4 bolts, then there is something still holding it on. I'm not sure where that would be.
The front bumper is held on with 3 torx bolts from the front and 2 from underneath. It also has a bunch of plastic rivets/screws that hold its trims in place, which must be removed first. I don't remember having to cut anything in either case.
I've seen the rear bumper was held in with 2 AND 4 bolts on each side. It's been a while since I've done this, but I think once you remove those bolts on the rear flange, the bumper should start drooping, and the only thing holding it back are a couple of strut pieces near the front of the side pieces. Once you remove those struts, the whole assembly should just pull back. Be careful to apply even pressure, as the side pieces are attached to the rear piece with some bolts through some plastic ears that can break easily. If the rear doesn't droop after removing those 2/4 bolts, then there is something still holding it on. I'm not sure where that would be.
The front bumper is held on with 3 torx bolts from the front and 2 from underneath. It also has a bunch of plastic rivets/screws that hold its trims in place, which must be removed first. I don't remember having to cut anything in either case.
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Yeah. I guess I left out an important detail. I'm trying to remove the rear. Sorry for the confusion.
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