Mk3 Bumpers and grille removal

[Violet]

I'm too tight to buy one of those Hayne's books, so does anybody know how to get
a) the front and rear bumpers off, and
b) the grille off a mk3 astra.

I know there are two screws (nicely corroded) under the arch but can't locate the other attachments. The grille looks tricky too, like you could break it if pulled in the wrong direction...
ta!

[astramod]

The front grille, if standard is a flimsy thing, but you can get it off ok if you are gentle.
What you need to do is release the clips at each far end of the grille at the far corners, where it meets the lights. (the thin bit)
Do this with a screwdriver and simply prise off.
They should pop out ok, but be warned they can and do often break too if forced.
If they wont shift, you will need to use some force, and this may mean they break off.
If so, use pliers to pull the broken clip(s) from the holder and araldite back on the grille itself.
Is strong enough to last putting back on again, but not another removal.
Otherwise, the moulded clips should generally pop out with ease.
Ok with that done, the grille is really 2 parts, the front and back which will be connected together, so the whole thing comes away in one piece.
About a third of the way in from the sides, there are 2 plastic lugs that clip into the bodywork. You can see this if you look down behind the lip of the grille at the top.
At the base of the grille are also plastic lugs that fit into small holes in the bumper.
if you pull (fairly hard) and evenly the top lugs will come out. You have to be quite firm when freeing them but they should not break. Once free you simply jiggle the whole grille about to release it from the botton lugs.
Sounds harder than it actually is, what watch those side clips.
CANT HELP WITH THE BUMPER, NOT DONE ONE OF THOSE (YET) lol

[PaulF]

OK.
Take the grill off.
Take both wheel arch liners off.
On the inside of the wheel arch the bumper is held to the wings by 2 bolt head screws (you'll probably need to take off the resonance chamber as well on the drivers side).
on the inside wing theres a nut you need to undo.
Along the bottom of the bumper are 4 plastic rivets.
Thats it should just fall on your toes now.
If your gonna put the original grill back on have a look on the back first there should be a blanking piece of plastic behind the top of the grill. Get rid.
Also "forget" to put the resonance chamber back on. It makes a great flower pot, but is good for bugger all else.

[Coppen]

Thats it should just fall on your toes now.

Did excatly that and the bugger won't come off. Front moves forward an inch but not off!!!

[PaulF]

Where abouts is it stopping left hand side right or in the middle?

[Coppen]

seems to be the middle

[DaveB]

there are 2 13mm(i think) bolts in the middle. you undone these?

if so, just pull...

[PaulF]

Are the arms for the bumper bolts fouling on something?

Check the underside of the bumper. Haynes says there's 4 plastic rivets, but I think mine had 5.

You have disconnected the fogs (if fitted) haven't you?

[Coppen]

undone the middle bolts, removed the plastic pins (all), detached from wheel arch linings, undone all other bolts per Haynes manual, disconnected fog light connectors although haven't removed them as assumed they stay attached to the bumper

any ideas

[PaulF]

Fogs can stay bolted in place ok.
No can't think of anything else unless it's had a bump and the mounting have twisted.

[Davo]

Get some help, take one end each and PPPPUUUUULLLLLLL!

[Violet]

How do you get the wheel arch liners off (don't want to do anything that's irreversible)? I think I may have to stick my hand in my pocket and buy the book. Got the grille off tho, nice one!

[PaulF]

Take the wheel off, get a torch and have a good look around the wheel arch. You should be able to see the screws that hold the liner in place. They do need a bit of a pull to get em off.

It is worth getting a Haynes, it's the first thing I do when I get a new car.