Headlight and Front Bumper Removal

[sidmon1]

Have attempted today to remove the front bumper on my D8 406 Executive so I can replace the one front foglight and the headlight wash that has been missing since I bought the car. I have replacement parts that I managed to get off a local breaker though on attempting to remove the headlights to enable bumper removal I have had problems. The lower bolt holding the headlight in place is almost impossible to remove and I am having problems removing the small screws on the undertray/wheel liner that attach to the bumper. Has anyone had any experience of removing these front bumpers as I've ended up putting it back together as it started to rain though I've left the grille off!

[mjb]

Just get the undertray off any way you can then use cable ties to put it back on. Seriously.

[sidmon1]

Which parts of the undertray and wheel arch liner do I need to remove to get to the key bolts that will enable bumper removal.

[speediepug406]

If memory serves me right you need to take the arch liner off as there is a 10mm bolt underneath the indicator.Then 2 bolts under the grill once you have that off and that should be it unless you have an oil cooler,just unclip the pipes from the bumper.

[sidmon1]

That sounds too simple. What are peoples techniques for getting that lower headlight bolt out?

[sidmon1]

Any one!

[teamster1975]

sidmon; it is possible to get the bumper off without removing the headlights; you have to raise the front, remove both wheels, remove the wheel arch liners and rotate the studs that hold the bumper on. I did that job before I bought a haynes hence not removing headlights! It's very tight but do-able; have a plentiful supply of tea and cigarettes if you smoke 'em!

[mjb]

Go to the dealers and buy a pile of wheel arch liner screws before you start. You'll probably find a number of them have rusted to the point of needing mole grips to remove

[sidmon1]

Oh I see its going to be one of those kind of jobs is it! Didn't think you had to remove the wheelarch liners to remove the front bumper though?

[teamster1975]

Didn't think you had to remove the wheelarch liners to remove the front bumper though?

You do if you want to remove it without taking out the headlights.

[sidmon1]

Oh I see.....Friday will be the day of judgment for this one!

[sidmon1]

Headlamp wash and foglight now fitted..........looks much better now theres no hole in the bumper!

[teamster1975]

Well done sidmon!
Did you get the bumper off without removing headlights?

[sidmon1]

No, had to get my other half with her smaller hands to remove the lower light mounting bolt with a tiny 1/4 ratchet I've got. My only problem now is one of the lights beams appears to be too high now, as I noticed road signs lit up as if my lights were on full beam!

[sidmon1]

It was a loose headlamp levelling motor, after clicking it back into place it's now sorted!