DIY : Rear Diffuser Removal - Camaro5 Chevy Camaro Forum / Camaro ZL1, SS and V6 Forums

AUS10BMX · 06-16-2011, 04:21 PM

Here is a clear illustration of how to remove the rear diffuser from the Camaro bumper. The whole bumper itself does not have to be removed in order to do this.

I have taken my diffuser off several times. It's great for painting your stock exhaust cans black, or if your installing a new exhaust, I took my diffuser off to put on my new axle-back exhaust. It gives you a lot more room to work with. Some people have even painted their diffusers.

Tools:
7mm socket
Large flat head, or tire changing tool
Patience!

Lets get started...

1. On each side of the diffuse is 2, 7mm bolts holding it to the bumper. Looking underneath each side you will see this bolt. Remove the bolt, and then pull the diffuser and pop out the first tab.

2. Laying on your back, and crawling underneath the car, you will find 4 more 7mm bolts holding the diffuse onto the plastic bracket that is show in the picture. The 4 red dots represent the locations. Remove these bolts.

3. Now that all the bolts are removed, its time to start pulling off the diffuser. In this picture take a look at the dots. This is where all the tabs are. Starting at each side work your way towards the middle. The red dots are the easiest to pull out, and the blue dots get a little harder.

4. After having the first tab removed on each side, grab the diffuser and slowly start popping the tabs out. The first few are pretty easy, but may require a bit of tugging. Just be careful and take your time.

5. As your start working your way to the middle, start working your fingers behind the diffuser and popping out more tabs. This is where it starts to get a little harder.

6. Here comes the tough part. Since you do not want to break the tabs in the middle by just pulling as hard as you can, use the diagram above to get an idea of where the tabs are. Using a large flathead, or in my case a large bicycle tire changing tool, you can slip behind the diffuser and push down on the tabs to release them, and then pull out. Also use a shammy or towel behind the tool so you do not damage the bumper.

7. Now that all the tabs have been pulled out, your diffuser will come right off. As stated, just be patient with the tabs, you do not want to bend or snap them. To put the diffuser back on, just snap it back in, and screw back in the 6, 7mm bolts. Here is a close up look at the tabs, and the screws.

Also a quick tip for removing the exhaust hangers... Using a spray bottle, mix Dawn, or any kind of dish detergent with degreaser, and water, spray on the hangers, and they will easily slide off with your hand.

jtzako · 06-16-2011, 04:44 PM

Thanks for the write up. I need to take my diffuser off to locate a squeak going on back there and I do not want do have to deal with a dealership.

slick rick · 06-16-2011, 06:19 PM

Hicompression · 06-17-2011, 09:26 PM

Excellent write up!

Cam 427 · 06-21-2011, 04:38 PM

Great info! This will be handy in the near future.

AUS10BMX · 07-06-2011, 10:00 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Cam 427

Great info! This will be handy in the near future.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Hicompression

Excellent write up!

Quote:

Originally Posted by slick rick

Glad I could help

SlyJester7 · 07-09-2011, 05:43 PM

saved . . .

CamaroBC · 07-24-2011, 05:56 PM

Any idea how tp get those black pastic thongs off?

2SSRS@Gen5diy · 07-24-2011, 06:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by CamaroBC

Any idea how tp get those black pastic thongs off?

? do you mean the parts on the diffuser?

SnoopyAce7 · 07-24-2011, 09:09 PM

thank you! planning to get an aftermarket diffuser for a new exhaust set up i have. youre the man.

anglwngss · 07-24-2011, 10:52 PM

Thanks, Mine will be off soon to get painted. Nice write up.

rtcat600man · 08-15-2011, 09:29 AM

FANTASTIC write-up...........THANK-YOU.

GEEo · 09-29-2011, 10:29 PM

rydahog · 09-30-2011, 07:45 AM

So is it possible to paint this plastic diffuser same as body.. CGM in my case? thanks ryd.

06-16-2011, 04:21 PM	#1
AUS10BMX Drives: 2010 Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: G Posts: 1,257 View My Garage	DIY : Rear Diffuser Removal Here is a clear illustration of how to remove the rear diffuser from the Camaro bumper. The whole bumper itself does not have to be removed in order to do this. I have taken my diffuser off several times. It's great for painting your stock exhaust cans black, or if your installing a new exhaust, I took my diffuser off to put on my new axle-back exhaust. It gives you a lot more room to work with. Some people have even painted their diffusers. Tools: 7mm socket Large flat head, or tire changing tool Patience! Lets get started... 1. On each side of the diffuse is 2, 7mm bolts holding it to the bumper. Looking underneath each side you will see this bolt. Remove the bolt, and then pull the diffuser and pop out the first tab. 2. Laying on your back, and crawling underneath the car, you will find 4 more 7mm bolts holding the diffuse onto the plastic bracket that is show in the picture. The 4 red dots represent the locations. Remove these bolts. 3. Now that all the bolts are removed, its time to start pulling off the diffuser. In this picture take a look at the dots. This is where all the tabs are. Starting at each side work your way towards the middle. The red dots are the easiest to pull out, and the blue dots get a little harder. 4. After having the first tab removed on each side, grab the diffuser and slowly start popping the tabs out. The first few are pretty easy, but may require a bit of tugging. Just be careful and take your time. 5. As your start working your way to the middle, start working your fingers behind the diffuser and popping out more tabs. This is where it starts to get a little harder. 6. Here comes the tough part. Since you do not want to break the tabs in the middle by just pulling as hard as you can, use the diagram above to get an idea of where the tabs are. Using a large flathead, or in my case a large bicycle tire changing tool, you can slip behind the diffuser and push down on the tabs to release them, and then pull out. Also use a shammy or towel behind the tool so you do not damage the bumper. 7. Now that all the tabs have been pulled out, your diffuser will come right off. As stated, just be patient with the tabs, you do not want to bend or snap them. To put the diffuser back on, just snap it back in, and screw back in the 6, 7mm bolts. Here is a close up look at the tabs, and the screws. Also a quick tip for removing the exhaust hangers... Using a spray bottle, mix Dawn, or any kind of dish detergent with degreaser, and water, spray on the hangers, and they will easily slide off with your hand.

06-16-2011, 04:44 PM	#2
jtzako Drives: 2010 IBM Camaro SS Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: DFW, Tx Posts: 1,157	Thanks for the write up. I need to take my diffuser off to locate a squeak going on back there and I do not want do have to deal with a dealership. __________________ 2010 Camaro SS Imperial Blue \| CAI Inc, CAI \| Solo Hi Flow Cats \| X-Pipe \| Backup Camera \| PDIM

06-16-2011, 06:19 PM	#3
slick rick SoCal Mayhem Drives: 2010 Camaro 1SS/RS Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: Foothill Ranch, CA Posts: 5,488 View My Garage	__________________

06-17-2011, 09:26 PM	#4
Hicompression Rumbly Bumble Bee Drives: 2010 2SS Camaro Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: DFW Posts: 1,469	Excellent write up! __________________ 2010 RALLY YELLOW 2SS 6M -OBX Longtubes FTW!

07-09-2011, 05:43 PM	#7
SlyJester7 SoCal HT5 COTW 8/26/13 Drives: 2013 SS/RS LS3 Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: So Cal Posts: 1,054 View My Garage	saved . . . __________________

06-21-2011, 04:38 PM	#5
Cam 427 Drives: 2010 2SS Join Date: Apr 2010 Location: Washington Posts: 677	Great info! This will be handy in the near future.

07-24-2011, 05:56 PM	#8
CamaroBC Drives: Cyber Grey 2LT RS Coupe Join Date: Feb 2011 Location: NY Posts: 757	Any idea how tp get those black pastic thongs off?

07-24-2011, 09:09 PM	#10
SnoopyAce7 (ʘ‿ʘ) Drives: The one with a roof rack Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: Northern Virginia Posts: 1,221	thank you! planning to get an aftermarket diffuser for a new exhaust set up i have. youre the man. __________________

07-24-2011, 10:52 PM	#11
anglwngss Texas Camaros Drives: 2011 Synergy Green 2SS/RS Join Date: Oct 2010 Location: Venus, Tx Posts: 1,681	Thanks, Mine will be off soon to get painted. Nice write up. __________________

08-15-2011, 09:29 AM	#12
rtcat600man having FUN now 13.66@101 Drives: 2010 2LT IOM Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: Clarkston, Michigan Posts: 9,230 View My Garage	FANTASTIC write-up...........THANK-YOU. __________________ MY BUILD

09-29-2011, 10:29 PM	#13
GEEo OKCamaros Drives: 4 banger Diesel Join Date: Mar 2010 Location: Philippines Posts: 4,572

09-30-2011, 07:45 AM	#14
rydahog Drives: camaro ss Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: usa Posts: 2,166 View My Garage	So is it possible to paint this plastic diffuser same as body.. CGM in my case? thanks ryd.

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