Rear Bumper Guard Removal - Help needed

[ChillLC]

Sunday project was to remove the silver rear bumper guards on my LC and paint them black.
Anyone out there removed these successfully?
With much ado I was able to get the three white clips along the bottom out, allowing the guard to swing out a bit.
At the top, the there are four fastening points. The two on the right (on the left guard) are of one type without clips and came off easily.
The two on the left are a different fastening type and may have inaccessible clips... at least inaccessible without removing the entire rear bumper.
Looking for ideas...
Thanks much

I saw someone posted this in another thread.... I guess you have to take the whole bumper apart to access those top two clips?

 

[EOD Guy]

Pull too hard and you'll break it! the two fasteners are still connected in your pic, are just like the other three white ones. There's a tap that must be depressed and then the white keeper must be slid out. I managed to get the top two out but haven't figured out how to reattach them yet.

I found that if you remove the top bumper cover (it pops straight up, no tools required) you can look into the small slots (where the top cover snapped into) and see the white keepers. A long skinny screwdriver is just right to depress the white tab and push it to the side. R/H side took about 30 min..... L/H side about 10.

 

[ChillLC]

Great help, thanks!
Did not know I could pop that top bumper cover.
Overall, what a flimsy POS this whole thing is!

 

[ChillLC]

Pull too hard and you'll break it! the two fasteners are still connected in your pic, are just like the other three white ones. There's a tap that must be depressed and then the white keeper must be slid out. I managed to get the top two out but haven't figured out how to reattach them yet.

I found that if you remove the top bumper cover (it pops straight up, no tools required) you can look into the small slots (where the top cover snapped into) and see the white keepers. A long skinny screwdriver is just right to depress the white tab and push it to the side. R/H side took about 30 min..... L/H side about 10.

Got the left one off in 2 minutes after pulling up the bumper cover. But now I see we are in a real pickle. Will be very difficult to get those clips back in without pulling off the whole bumper! For now I am going to put the silver back, possibly without the upper clips.

please let us know if you have success remounting them without removing the bumper.

 

[EOD Guy]

After looking, I think the bumper cover can be unbolted (5 bolts along the outer edge/side and 1 or 2 along the rear (each side) and pulled out enough to get the clips back in. If that doesn't work (I'm still waiting for the paint to dry) I have a very log set of forceps and might be able to wiggle them into place....... it that doesn't work, I'll cut a hole in the top of the plastic to allow me to position the clip. The extra hole will be covered by the top cover so you won't be able to tell. I'll find out tomorrow morning after the paint dries.

 

[ChillLC]

I too am waiting for paint to dry...
I went ahead and removed both. I think we can get them reinstalled by carefully positioning the clips on the ledge where they go, before inserting the tabs on the guards. Then, slide and click them into place with the long screwdriver.

The paint I used seems darker and shinier (though matte) than the OEM plastic around it. I used

Rust-Oleum Black Automotive 251574 11-Ounce Trim and Bumper Spray, Matte,​

 

[EOD Guy]

I too am waiting for paint to dry...
I went ahead and removed both. I think we can get them reinstalled by carefully positioning the clips on the ledge where they go, before inserting the tabs on the guards. Then, slide and click them into place with the long screwdriver.

The paint I used seems darker and shinier (though matte) than the OEM plastic around it. I used

Rust-Oleum Black Automotive 251574 11-Ounce Trim and Bumper Spray, Matte,​

DVR's side no issues, long forceps eased them right in. Pass side the outer most one, forceps, but the inner one No room whatsoever so .......hole drilled, easy as pie after that.

 

[GreyO]

Good looking license plate @EOD Guy. I’ve got the same on my Underground. RTR.

 

[EOD Guy]

Good looking license plate @EOD Guy. I’ve got the same on my Underground. RTR.

You know it!