DIY : Rear Diffuser Removal

[Merc]

Bump again.

[newagemuscle]

Originally Posted by Merc

Bump again.

This is the same thread I used a couple weeks of go when I took off my diffuser. It worked great, but I highly recommend using the WD 40 on each tab in addition to following these directions. That really seemed to help from having to tug on the diffuser that much when trying to remove it. Very good write-up though.

[ZuluKilla8]

Just painted my tips and took the defuser off, great write up...I had a problem with one tab, second from the left...after that they all just popped out with arm strength.

Thanks for the write up

[keef]

Wish I'd seen the WD40 trick before I gave up and put all the screws backl in haha. I was pulling so hard I didn't want to risk effing it up, not even the outermost top tabs would budge.

I'll give it another go this weekend with some WD 40.

Either way, awesome write and great tips from others.

[Merc]

Originally Posted by newagemuscle

This is the same thread I used a couple weeks of go when I took off my diffuser. It worked great, but I highly recommend using the WD 40 on each tab in addition to following these directions. That really seemed to help from having to tug on the diffuser that much when trying to remove it. Very good write-up though.

Yes, Buddy did a good job with DIY thread, but if I was to going do it again I would remove the rear facia first.

[Klepton]

Originally Posted by Merc

Yes, Buddy did a good job with DIY thread, but if I was to going do it again I would remove the rear facia first.

I agree! When installing my quad-tip exhaust and 1LE diffuser, I removed the stock diffuser with the fascia in place. It was such a PITA to remove, because I had to pull so hard, and the fascia flexed so much, that it felt like something was going to break or bend out of shape! I removed the rear fascia when replacing my backup lights with LEDs, and was amazed at how quick and easy it is to remove the complete fascia. A few months later, I noticed that there was a section on the right side of the diffuser that looked out of place. I decided to remove the fascia to inspect the diffuser, and found that a couple of tabs on the right side had not popped into place correctly/completely. They had bent outside of the indentations and not popped in.

It is by far much easier to remove/install the diffuser with the fascia removed! Use the video found in the following thread to remove the rear fascia: http://www.camaro5.com/forums/showthread.php?t=267041
It takes less that 5 minutes to remove it.

[kiteman]

is the bottom of the bumper cover accessible from behind after the diffuser comes off? i have a dent i want to try and pop out, but i need to be able to push it from behind. it's about 18 inches from the center of the bumper, but again, at the very bottom part of the bumper, in fact the portion that attaches the diffuser. i can't decide if i should take the whole bumper off yet or if taking the diffuser off alone will be enough.

to be honest the bumper removal looks like it's just the same amount of work as taking the diffuser off. anyone that has done both care to refute or confirm that claim?

[Scalded Dog]

Thank- you, AUS10BMX and Camaro5! I had to remove the rear diffuser because I got so much dirt crammed up in there after a brief offroad excursion that it just wasn't going to come clean without removing parts.

I had tried and tried... couldn't get the damn thing off. However, with the help of AUS10BMX's amazingly detailed and informative instruction--- AND A LOT OF WD-40)--- I have succeeded.

I will reiterate: WD-40 makes all the difference... the instructions were mandatory, but without the WD-40, I'd STILL be outside cursing and throwing stuff and cursing some more and considering just leaving the car to drip mud throughout eternity.

[orangecrush2013]

WD or prayers nothing works it won t come off........Im afraid of damaging the bumper...too bad I can t release the tabs from behind the diffuser

[orangecrush2013]

My diffuser was damaged when I bought the car and I didn t notice it until I got it home. The dealer shipped me a new one and I thought it would be easy to replace it. Im not a newby I know my way around cars but getting the damn thing off has wasted hours of my time. Where did you squirt the WD 40? Did you squirt it in from the front or the back? Today I sanded the scuffed portion down of the diffuser with varying grits of sanding blocks then compounded it out with a buffing wheel
. It looks pretty good in case I have to live with it and donate the new diffuser to the Smithsonian. I guess I can always take it to a body shop and let them put it on.

[Eddiefuzz]

Originally Posted by orangecrush2013

My diffuser was damaged when I bought the car and I didn t notice it until I got it home. The dealer shipped me a new one and I thought it would be easy to replace it. Im not a newby I know my way around cars but getting the damn thing off has wasted hours of my time. Where did you squirt the WD 40? Did you squirt it in from the front or the back? Today I sanded the scuffed portion down of the diffuser with varying grits of sanding blocks then compounded it out with a buffing wheel
. It looks pretty good in case I have to live with it and donate the new diffuser to the Smithsonian. I guess I can always take it to a body shop and let them put it on.

There are screws at the bottom. Take the new one and line it up, there are 5-7 tabs at the top, THESE are the SOBs!!! Since you have one to replace it, you don't have to worry about damaging it. Start at one end,PULL the B***h, you could use a plastic puddy knife to put between the body and the diffuser. Once you get that end out you can get behind the diffuser. Good Luck!

[Klepton]

It is by far much easier to remove/install the diffuser with the fascia removed! Use the video found in the following thread to remove the rear fascia: http://www.camaro5.com/forums/showthread.php?t=267041
It takes less that 5 minutes to remove it.

[Denis]

thanks for the write up! gonna pull mine off here in a few days

[Harrisonda09]

Originally Posted by orangecrush2013

WD or prayers nothing works it won t come off........Im afraid of damaging the bumper...too bad I can t release the tabs from behind the diffuser

If you are still trying to remove, I just did mine this past week. The bolt type has changed from 7mm to the star bit (T15). also, make sure you removed all of the bolts or it will not come off. I tried and tried, come to find out there are bolts behind the wheel well (if you crawl under the car and reach between the muffler and bumper, you should be able to feel where the diffuser and bumper meet. move your hand to where the bumper, diffuser, and rear wheel well meet and you should have another bolt there).

PS: The middle snaps are much easier with a flat head screwdriver and a shammy.

Best of luck.