Issues with removing front bumper/fascia?

[TheBrightSide]

I have a 2010 2SS with the RS package and factory Ground Effects appearance package. I’ve gone through plenty of 5th gen Camaro’s to know how easy the front bumpers typically are… However, removing mine proceeded to be a full-blown challenge; literally ended with me cracking the snap-in bumper mounts by the head lamps, and I snapped off the two plastic bumper dowels in the middle of the 4, on each side….

Is this unique to certain models or Ground Effects equipped cars or something? My 2010 first year release model, is also a June 2009 production car (can’t recall the exact date). It also looks like those bumper mounts (that cracked) have a rivet where they were installed, which means that they must’ve had to be a factory GM part at some point… I ended up cracking both sides of the typical bumper slots on the plastic bumper, so I JB-weld epoxy’d those back, as well as the cracked bumper mounts.

I’m debating on whether on not to tap some screws through the sides of my bumper, so I can hold the plastic dowels that broke off, to be able to JB Weld them back into place.. Should I eliminate the bumper brackets altogether…? I’ll upload photos in a bit, but it seems that most 5th gens don’t have these, which is why most peoples’ front bumpers literally just slide right off! I don’t wanna be breaking my bumper every time I need to remove it.

[TheBrightSide]

- Front Upper Bumper Cover - GM (92236547)
https://www.gmpartsdirect.com/oem-pa...Y4LWdhcw%3D%3D

- Passenger Side Front Bumper Fascia Lower Reinforcement - GM (92243318)
https://www.gmpartsdirect.com/oem-pa...YtMmwtdjgtZ2Fz

Guess I found the issue in one other forum post, where a user referenced to the optional part as a “brace”… Thing is, there’s really no proper way to remove it without nearly cracking off the sides of the bumper. The two clips on the side will pop freely as usual, but then the section that goes into the “support bracket”, has to be taken out a certain way, which will most likely damage and/or break the brackets themselves.

Debating on whether or not to keep these, as it seems to be a huge hassle in my opinion… It does fix the issue with the main weak bumper clip areas breaking. It’s just that the inner bumper clip areas, are hard as hell to get to. Mine are eaten up from me trying to yank the bumper off, which caused it to snag, fall entirely forwards, and then snapped off a tab from the bracket on each side; ultimately allowing the bumper to free itself. LOL

[Aqua Blue RS/SS]

Can you post pictures of what you are dealing with? I’ve had 2 2009 built 2010 model year cars, a GFX car and a non GFX car and the bumper removal was the same. Did you take the 3 bolts off on each side that bolt the upper bumper cover brackets with the 3 dowels to the fender? The upper and lower brackets are available separate from the bumper as you’ve likely already found. That lower bracket is bolted in two places one up thru the back corner near the fender liner with a small bolt and another that goes into the fender mount bracket as well.

[Arogg]

Originally Posted by Aqua Blue RS/SS

Can you post pictures of what you are dealing with? I’ve had 2 2009 built 2010 model year cars, a GFX car and a non GFX car and the bumper removal was the same. Did you take the 3 bolts off on each side that bolt the upper bumper cover brackets with the 3 dowels to the fender? The upper and lower brackets are available separate from the number as you’ve likely already found. That lower bracket is bolted in two places one up thru the back corner near the fender liner with a small bolt and another that goes into the fender mount bracket as well.

Pics would definitely help. I have an early (April 09) 2010 2SS with GFX and no issues removing my bumper and I've had it off numerous times. The ONLY issue I ran into last time was one of the bolts holding the bumper to the fender was spinning without getting loose but a pry bar and some ingenuity got it out.

[TheBrightSide]

Originally Posted by Aqua Blue RS/SS

Can you post pictures of what you are dealing with? I’ve had 2 2009 built 2010 model year cars, a GFX car and a non GFX car and the bumper removal was the same. Did you take the 3 bolts off on each side that bolt the upper bumper cover brackets with the 3 dowels to the fender? The upper and lower brackets are available separate from the number as you’ve likely already found. That lower bracket is bolted in two places one up thru the back corner near the fender liner with a small bolt and another that goes into the fender mount bracket as well.

Yes, if you look up the GM instruction manual (I forget the exact document reference), it shows everything EXCEPT the optional bumper support bracket.

Also, my bad, the support brackets are also BOLTED in. They’re made out of plastic, but have a rivet that allows the bolt to be threaded through. I’m legitimately debating cutting off the front portion of the support bracket though, as that’s what’s preventing the front bumper from coming off in a simple fashionz

[MSgt O]

Im just going to ask, did you remove ALL the bolts before trying to pull the front end off?

[Aqua Blue RS/SS]

I’m lost man. I guess I don’t know what you mean by optional bracket. If it’s the lower bracket you linked above I don’t think that’s optional at all. Could you link the thread you found that references the optional brace and maybe that will help us out?

[acutron42]

[QUOTE=MSgt O;11454553]Im just going to ask, did you remove ALL the bolts before trying to pull the front end off?[/QUOTE

Did you get the bolts under the hood? It is pretty straight forward.

[InFiD3ViL]

[QUOTE=acutron42;11454605]

Originally Posted by MSgt O

Im just going to ask, did you remove ALL the bolts before trying to pull the front end off?[/QUOTE

Did you get the bolts under the hood? It is pretty straight forward.

Right. I guess it could be easy to forget that there are 3 bolts on each side behind the wheel liner as well. The top ones can be hard to see and even harder to reach. I rounded mine off and had to replace them.

[TheBrightSide]

Originally Posted by Aqua Blue RS/SS

I’m lost man. I guess I don’t know what you mean by optional bracket. If it’s the lower bracket you linked above I don’t think that’s optional at all. Could you link the thread you found that references the optional brace and maybe that will help us out?

Funny enough, it’s a thread you commented in… lol

https://www.camaro5.com/forums/showthread.php?t=614145


Looks like the OP for that forum thread broke the main front bumper clips (part of the bumper itself), and then the ends poke out because they can’t be held back or fastened down anymore.

And yes, I know about all the bolts, guys lol I’ve done this plenty of times. You wouldn’t be able to even get the bumper off without taking off those bolts behind the fender liner, let alone forgetting the plastic clips on top (I forget the name of them).

[Aqua Blue RS/SS]

That’s not an optional brace man. It’s the lower mounting bracket. I can’t see how it would have anything to do with breaking the upper alignment pins by the headlights. I actually do have those lower brackets rat holed away like I mentioned in that thread. I just went thru all this bumper stuff about a month ago when I had to replace my front bumper. Without actual pictures of what you are dealing with I don’t think this thread will be of much help.

[InFiD3ViL]

Brightside, Are you the original owner of this car?

If not, have you considered, as stupid as it sounds, that maybe the previous owner super glued the front bumper in some spots? When brackets or mounting points on these cars break the bumper cover will fit kinda wonky and either sag or stick out (like near the side markers), and those with no patience, repair skills, or money for fixing things properly will resort to things like that.

It's an idea at least and would explain a lot.

[pyroguy]

My guess is that the OP missed that one bolt that's way up there and a total P.I.T.A. to access. I too have a 2SS/RS with a ground effects package and I took my front bumper cover off last year without issue.

[Aqua Blue RS/SS]

Originally Posted by pyroguy

My guess is that the OP missed that one bolt that's way up there and a total P.I.T.A. to access. I too have a 2SS/RS with a ground effects package and I took my front bumper cover off last year without issue.

Yep that’s been my suspicion all along and why I asked if he got the three fender bolts on each side.