Front bumper removal problem - Camaro5 Chevy Camaro Forum / Camaro ZL1, SS and V6 Forums

Bigdumogre · 03-21-2021, 12:01 PM

I’m removing the front bumper to install a heritage grill and tranny cooler but I ran into a problem. The top bolt on each side just keeps spinning. The bumper is just hanging on by those 2 bolts and I see in the gap of the fender and bumper the threads that are inside the bumper are just spinning. Is there a easy way to get them out? All I have is a saws all to cut them but can’t fit the blade inside fender wall to cut them.

Camaro2ss2010 · 03-21-2021, 01:10 PM

The only way that I know you could get these out besides cutting them is to apply a little pressure outwards on the head of the bolt with something to get the threads started backing out. It’s a very tight place though.

TheFlyingBananaSS · 03-21-2021, 02:27 PM

Or outwards pressure on the bumper might work. Good luck.

smokehippielettuce · 03-21-2021, 02:46 PM

Can't wait to see pics! Ive been thinking of doing that to my car. Did you paint it to match?

Bigdumogre · 03-21-2021, 03:08 PM

I tried using a screwdriver wrapped in rags to try and apply pressure to the bumper and try to get pressure to get it out to no avail. I also tried a screwdriver in the back but it’s such a tight place I couldn’t get it good enough using hand tools. If I had a air ratchet it would maybe be easier.

I put my car back together for now and will retry in a few days when I get some good ideas to try lol.

I dident paint to match I left it the stock color just like my old OEM grill.

Camaro2ss2010 · 03-21-2021, 03:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bigdumogre

I tried using a screwdriver wrapped in rags to try and apply pressure to the bumper and try to get pressure to get it out to no avail. I also tried a screwdriver in the back but it’s such a tight place I couldn’t get it good enough using hand tools. If I had a air ratchet it would maybe be easier.

I put my car back together for now and will retry in a few days when I get some good ideas to try lol.

I dident paint to match I left it the stock color just like my old OEM grill.

I have taken some fast setting glue and glue the socket to something like this that I could not get behind. It shouldn’t be so tight that it breaks the glue loose before catching the threads. Just another thought.

Bigdumogre · 03-21-2021, 04:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Camaro2ss2010

I have taken some fast setting glue and glue the socket to something like this that I could not get behind. It shouldn’t be so tight that it breaks the glue loose before catching the threads. Just another thought.

That might be a idea. I got it half way out the bolt so when the bumper and fender separates I can see the nut spinning. Maybe I can try and glue it and try again.

BLU DUCE · 03-21-2021, 04:56 PM

If they are the ones way up in the front. I had one do that. So I got a pair of needle nose vise grips and a small blade screw driver and put pressure under the head of the bolt when turning it. When I take mine off I jack the car up and take my tires off and the inner wheel well off. A lot easier to get to the screws.

TheFlyingBananaSS · 03-21-2021, 05:11 PM

Buy new brackets to put in and saw of the old.

Bigdumogre · 03-21-2021, 05:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BLU DUCE

If they are the ones way up in the front. I had one do that. So I got a pair of needle nose vise grips and a small blade screw driver and put pressure under the head of the bolt when turning it. When I take mine off I jack the car up and take my tires off and the inner wheel well off. A lot easier to get to the screws.

Ya I removed the wheels to and made the access as good as it can get. Maybe I’ll try that I used just a screwdriver to add pressure and couldn’t get enough to apply pressure and work a ratchet at the same time.

Bigdumogre · 03-21-2021, 05:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TheFlyingBananaSS

Buy new brackets to put in and saw of the old.

That’s why I was trying the sawsall but the location is horrible. Know any mini saws that would fit? I don’t mind drilling out the old and making it work again.

Camaro2ss2010 · 03-21-2021, 06:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bigdumogre

That’s why I was trying the sawsall but the location is horrible. Know any mini saws that would fit? I don’t mind drilling out the old and making it work again.

You may can use a pneumatic saw if you have a strong enough compressor to run it.

Bigdumogre · 03-21-2021, 06:48 PM

That I don’t just some hand tools and time on my hands lol. A small cutting wheel would do it in a second.

I even tried to retighten time and snap the bolt that way to no avail.

Bigdumogre · 03-21-2021, 06:50 PM

Would something like this work? I have a good drill

https://www.amazon.com/Rotary-Cuttin...s%2C154&sr=8-6

03-21-2021, 12:01 PM	#1
Bigdumogre Drives: 2012 Camaro SS Join Date: Dec 2019 Location: New York Posts: 1,271	Front bumper removal problem I’m removing the front bumper to install a heritage grill and tranny cooler but I ran into a problem. The top bolt on each side just keeps spinning. The bumper is just hanging on by those 2 bolts and I see in the gap of the fender and bumper the threads that are inside the bumper are just spinning. Is there a easy way to get them out? All I have is a saws all to cut them but can’t fit the blade inside fender wall to cut them. __________________ 2012 Camaro 2SS/RS - CSP Custom Cam 232/240 .615/.615 113 +3, Texas speed CNC heads, FTI billet triple disc converter, K&N cai, Katech ported TB, GPI Ported/rod modded manifold, Texas speed 1 7/8 headers, HFC, Flowmaster 2 chambers with x pipe, Mishimoto CC, MSD wires, Roto fab washer relocation, tru cool 40k trans cooler, apex scoop, Pedders extreme coil overs and much more!!

03-21-2021, 01:10 PM	#2
Camaro2ss2010 Drives: 2010 Camaro 2SSRS M6 Join Date: Jan 2019 Location: Alabama Posts: 1,113	The only way that I know you could get these out besides cutting them is to apply a little pressure outwards on the head of the bolt with something to get the threads started backing out. It’s a very tight place though. __________________ ECS supercharger, custom ground cam, ported throttle body, long tube headers, aeromotive fuel pump, fic injectors, ATI super damper, SLP loudmouth exhaust, elite engineering catch can and many other things.

03-21-2021, 02:27 PM	#3
TheFlyingBananaSS Evil Genius of Chevrolet Drives: 2017 Z06, 2017 Colorado, 2013 2SS Join Date: Feb 2017 Location: New York Posts: 3,128	Or outwards pressure on the bumper might work. Good luck. __________________ GPI SS2 VVT cam, ECS Novi 1500 supercharger, Corsa Extreme, Detroit Speed and BMR suspension, Circle D triple disc, Melling oil pump, LS2 chain tensioner, ATI 10% UD, DSX E85 kit, High Energy coils, BTR springs, LS2 Lifter trays, Titanium retainers, hardened push rods, FIC 1000 injectors, ZL1 pump, Mighty Mouse catch can, AEM gauges, Tial BOV, Richmond 3.91 gears, Custom gauge bezels, Speed Engineering headers, Stainless Works HF cats, DSX Aux pump, 710rwhp on E85.

03-21-2021, 03:08 PM	#5
Bigdumogre Drives: 2012 Camaro SS Join Date: Dec 2019 Location: New York Posts: 1,271	I tried using a screwdriver wrapped in rags to try and apply pressure to the bumper and try to get pressure to get it out to no avail. I also tried a screwdriver in the back but it’s such a tight place I couldn’t get it good enough using hand tools. If I had a air ratchet it would maybe be easier. I put my car back together for now and will retry in a few days when I get some good ideas to try lol. I dident paint to match I left it the stock color just like my old OEM grill. __________________ 2012 Camaro 2SS/RS - CSP Custom Cam 232/240 .615/.615 113 +3, Texas speed CNC heads, FTI billet triple disc converter, K&N cai, Katech ported TB, GPI Ported/rod modded manifold, Texas speed 1 7/8 headers, HFC, Flowmaster 2 chambers with x pipe, Mishimoto CC, MSD wires, Roto fab washer relocation, tru cool 40k trans cooler, apex scoop, Pedders extreme coil overs and much more!!

03-21-2021, 04:56 PM	#8
BLU DUCE Drives: 2011 1SS/RS IBM Camaro Join Date: Jan 2011 Location: Chittenango, NY, USA Posts: 7,018 View My Garage	If they are the ones way up in the front. I had one do that. So I got a pair of needle nose vise grips and a small blade screw driver and put pressure under the head of the bolt when turning it. When I take mine off I jack the car up and take my tires off and the inner wheel well off. A lot easier to get to the screws. __________________

03-21-2021, 02:46 PM	#4
smokehippielettuce Drives: 2012 Chevy Camaro rs Join Date: Aug 2020 Location: Lake City, Pa Posts: 21 View My Garage	Can't wait to see pics! Ive been thinking of doing that to my car. Did you paint it to match?

03-21-2021, 05:11 PM	#9
TheFlyingBananaSS Evil Genius of Chevrolet Drives: 2017 Z06, 2017 Colorado, 2013 2SS Join Date: Feb 2017 Location: New York Posts: 3,128	Buy new brackets to put in and saw of the old. __________________ GPI SS2 VVT cam, ECS Novi 1500 supercharger, Corsa Extreme, Detroit Speed and BMR suspension, Circle D triple disc, Melling oil pump, LS2 chain tensioner, ATI 10% UD, DSX E85 kit, High Energy coils, BTR springs, LS2 Lifter trays, Titanium retainers, hardened push rods, FIC 1000 injectors, ZL1 pump, Mighty Mouse catch can, AEM gauges, Tial BOV, Richmond 3.91 gears, Custom gauge bezels, Speed Engineering headers, Stainless Works HF cats, DSX Aux pump, 710rwhp on E85.

03-21-2021, 06:48 PM	#13
Bigdumogre Drives: 2012 Camaro SS Join Date: Dec 2019 Location: New York Posts: 1,271	That I don’t just some hand tools and time on my hands lol. A small cutting wheel would do it in a second. I even tried to retighten time and snap the bolt that way to no avail. __________________ 2012 Camaro 2SS/RS - CSP Custom Cam 232/240 .615/.615 113 +3, Texas speed CNC heads, FTI billet triple disc converter, K&N cai, Katech ported TB, GPI Ported/rod modded manifold, Texas speed 1 7/8 headers, HFC, Flowmaster 2 chambers with x pipe, Mishimoto CC, MSD wires, Roto fab washer relocation, tru cool 40k trans cooler, apex scoop, Pedders extreme coil overs and much more!!

03-21-2021, 06:50 PM	#14
Bigdumogre Drives: 2012 Camaro SS Join Date: Dec 2019 Location: New York Posts: 1,271	Would something like this work? I have a good drill https://www.amazon.com/Rotary-Cuttin...s%2C154&sr=8-6 __________________ 2012 Camaro 2SS/RS - CSP Custom Cam 232/240 .615/.615 113 +3, Texas speed CNC heads, FTI billet triple disc converter, K&N cai, Katech ported TB, GPI Ported/rod modded manifold, Texas speed 1 7/8 headers, HFC, Flowmaster 2 chambers with x pipe, Mishimoto CC, MSD wires, Roto fab washer relocation, tru cool 40k trans cooler, apex scoop, Pedders extreme coil overs and much more!!