Rear bumper cover removal

Anyone ever removed/replaced a rear bumper cover, and if so, how hard is it and are there any special tools needed or any details I should know about before tearing my own off?

Originally posted by Ryan H:
Anyone ever removed/replaced a rear bumper cover, and if so, how hard is it and are there any special tools needed or any details I should know about before tearing my own off?

Ryan, You need to remove the tail lights. You might be able to do it without removing them but it will make it easier if you do. Now for the bumper cover, There are several nuts inside the trunk, across the back and down each side, that need to be removed and several push in plastic retainers across the bottom, on the outside, that need to be removed. Everything is easy to get to. You just need a 1/4" drive ratchet, extension and socket for the nuts and a pair of side cuts and a flat screwdriver for the plastic retainers. Hope this helps...Tommy

It's easy. Open the trunk and remove the carpet panel over the tail lights. You'll see a line of nuts that go along the bottom (under the tail light nuts). They go from one end to the other, and I believe there are even a couple down into the spare tire well and the fuel filler well. A 7/16 or 11MM deep socket will remove 'em. Then get under the car and you'll see a bunch of plastic "push pins" holding the bottom part on. Using a pair of angled "sidecutter" pliers carefully remove the center of each pin by pulling it out, then remove the whole pin. The bumper cover should then come off