Front Bumper

[goodnigh]

Any ideas on how to remove the front bumper?

It uses phillips screws and they have been damaged

so we can't get good purchase. One solution is

to cut the heads off. Does anyone have experience

with a screw/bolt extractor?

mike

 

[marks73]

They make an impact set that turns while you hit it with a hammer. Me, I cut the head, spray PB Blaster and tap on what's left, let sit overnight and use vise grips to remove the screw.

 

[Jeff73Mach1]

unbolt your brackets from under the car and remove the bumper and brackets as a unit (4 3/4" bolts IIRC). Turn it upside down and you can get to the back side of the bolts. It should have been held on with bumper bolts not screws. If you can't undo them this way, you have clear access to take your grinder and cut them off

Bolts may need a lubricant or heat to break loose, but shouldn't be to hard to get out.

It may be easier to remove the front lower valance panel, but it is not necessary as you can snake the bumper and brackets out fairly easily from the front of a 71 or 72. &3's assembly is over a hundred pounds and this is not recommended for those monsters!

 

[Tnfastbk]

unbolt your brackets from under the car and remove the bumper and brackets as a unit (4 3/4" bolts IIRC). Turn it upside down and you can get to the back side of the bolts. It should have been held on with bumper bolts not phillips head screws. If you can't undo them this way, you have clear access to take your grinder and cut them off

Bolts may need a lubricant or heat to break loose, but shouldn't be to hard to get out.

My 71 had what looked like giant phillips holding the cover on

 

[Jeff73Mach1]

I was assuming he had a chrome bumper per his picture-regardless, removing the brackets still is an easy way to get better access.

 

[Tnfastbk]

I was assuming he had a chrome bumper per his picture-regardless, removing the brackets still is an easy way to get better access.

LOL guess I assume everybody has the cover. Never really paid attention to his bumper

 

[goodnigh]

My 71 had what looked like giant phillips holding the cover on

They are big phillips head screws just like your picture.

Who designed that :huh:

mike

unbolt your brackets from under the car and remove the bumper and brackets as a unit (4 3/4" bolts IIRC).

That is an option. Take the whole thing someplace we can work

on it. If we can grab a tail of the screw enough to loosen it so we

can use the phillips head to remove it. The heads are not destroyed,

just worn enough so we can't get good purchase with a #4

screwdriver.

mike

 

[droptop73]

For a good penetrating lube for rusty fasteners use a 50/50 mix of acetone and ATF. It works great.

 

[Tnfastbk]

For a good penetrating lube for rusty fasteners use a 50/50 mix of acetone and ATF. It works great.

A product called KANO KROIL is the best I have ever seen on rusted/stuck bolts

 

[Jeff73Mach1]

saw a test where the atf/acetone mix beat kroil hands down by a goodly amount in terms of reduced effort. Used Kroil religiously before, but will try the mix next time I need penetrating oil.

 

[Tnfastbk]

saw a test where the atf/acetone mix beat kroil hands down by a goodly amount in terms of reduced effort. Used Kroil religiously before, but will try the mix next time I need penetrating oil.

Hmmm then that mixture must remove the bolts for you then. Most test has a clear winner and it usually has something to do with who is paying the bills:s

 

[OMS]

Mike do you access to a cutting torch ?

If so pull the bumper and bracket, use the torch to melt the metal J nuts

J nuts

If not you can cut off the screw heads - get the bumper off the bracket - then cut the J bolt where it folds in half

These usually sieze as you have a steel J nut and stainless steel bolts.

All 71-2 used the phillips head screws in the front bumper - chrome or urathane.

Don

 

[Don65Stang]

Mike, Take a 5/8th nut (or whatever size) and tack weld it to the head of the bolt. Then use a wrench or ratchet & socket to remove.

 

[goodnigh]

Mike, Take a 5/8th nut (or whatever size) and tack weld it to the head of the bolt. Then use a wrench or ratchet & socket to remove.

I like your suggestion.

Gives us a chance to play with the

arc welder

When I first started thinking about

restoration work on this car I bought

an arc welder and Oxy/Acetylene setup.

mike

 

[427heaven]

Mike, Take a 5/8th nut (or whatever size) and tack weld it to the head of the bolt. Then use a wrench or ratchet & socket to remove.

I like your suggestion.

Gives us a chance to play with the

arc welder

When I first started thinking about

restoration work on this car I bought

an arc welder and Oxy/Acetylene setup.

mike

When I first start thinking about restoration work I dont think about welders, maybe thats a left coast thing!:huh:

 

[goodnigh]

Mike, Take a 5/8th nut (or whatever size) and tack weld it to the head of the bolt. Then use a wrench or ratchet & socket to remove.

I like your suggestion.

Gives us a chance to play with the

arc welder

When I first started thinking about

restoration work on this car I bought

an arc welder and Oxy/Acetylene setup.

mike

When I first start thinking about restoration work I dont think about welders, maybe thats a left coast thing!:huh:

Really just an excuse to buy a new toy, but we will use them both

and soon. Trunk floor and tail light panel need replacing.

Besides, both were on sale.

mike