Forseti

Hey All,

Trying to get a bumper of an 88 RX and having a bit of trouble. At this point I'm just trying to get the "fascia" off, but its held onto the side panels with bolts. Has anyone done this before? I'm going to try removing the popups tomorrow to see if it gives me more room.

Just hoping for a URL or some tips. I have the diagrams, which are ok....but I don't think I'm getting the full picture.

Thanks,

-F.

jizzajuice

You're going to have to eventually remove the popups to remove the entire front end of the car. Well... i don't THINK you have to but it sure made things a lot easier to work. In any case, if you have the manual that came with the car it's really simple. Even if you don't it's still simple. Tools you'll need are let's see... 1)Phillips Screwdriver 2)Socket Wrench *forgot what size ^_^ 3)Normal Spanner *Again, forgot what size.... dang i have bad memory ^_^

Well, Good luck!

Peace,
AJ ^_^

Forseti

Hey AJ,

Thanks for the reply. Yeah I'm planning on removing the popups tomorrow.. not only does it look necessary to get some of the bolts out but it also provides more working room.

It's a 10mm socket for the bolts which I guess would be close to a 3/8".

As for the spanning tool...hmmm I'll have to improvise...I'm assuming you're referring to the flat mazda spade tool they show in the manual in order to pop the plastic clips off.

Once I get the parts of this bumper and install it on my RX, I'm going to create a how-to....as I was not able to find one out there.

Tomorrow is the day..

Cheers,

-F.

HAILERS

I removed the front bumper and r/h fender this day. Piece of cake.Inside the wheel wells, there is what I call a liner that goes from the front to the rear of the wheel well. Its held by 10mm bolts and some screws. Start at the front of the w/w(wheel well) and just undo the front part to gain access to the about four nuts that hold the bumper facia on. They are 10mm and you'll need a deep socket. Do both sides. There is one 10mm bolt on each side under pop ups, that also holds the facia on. Take the two black plastic pieces from the sides of your light assy with the assy in the up position. You did know that you can raise the lights with the ***** on the bottom of the car, right? You can use that **** to move them anywhere inbetween up and down. Note: Disconnect batt. Now raise the hood. You'll see about five bolts holding the facia. Remove. On the bottom looking up, you will see all along the bottom , from one side to the other approx ten plus fasteners. Remove them. The plastic facia should pull off now. If not, remove the remaining screw that you missed. The bumper is just held with the four bolts on top and four on bottom........My wife TOTALED her 86 tuesday. Got 1800 bucks and got to keep the car. The bumper cost 50bucks at the wreck yard and the fender 40 bucks. Both the same color, red. Front Light cost maybe ten tomorrow at Pep Boys. Should have enough left over for a few brewskis. Like I said, a 86. Yours may be slightly different. The above was done by memory. Did not look at the car to double check. The 10mm deep socket and 12" extension help a bunch.

HAILERS

Clarification: When I said the part about raising the hood, what you see is , between the headlights about five or six obvious bolts that have to be removed. Now if you remove the pop ups, you"ll have some difficulty because after you remove the two 10mm bolts on the top rear of the lights, and the two 10mm inside the engine bay about eight inches down and on the back side of the light assys , you'll find they will not just pull out straight up. What is holding them is a link that attaches to the electric motor. It will pop off with some force. Its a ball and cup affair. Like I said earlier, You do not need to completly remove them. That single 10mm bolt in that area can be had without removing the whole assy. Its best to raise the lights and take the neg wire off the battery for your saftey . Remember the ***** at the bottom of the light assys that you can raise and lower the lights manually. Remember the deep 10mm socket for the Nuts inside the wheel well, looking forward. It really helps. I admit the job can be done without, but would take forever because of the lack of access. I think there were four nuts more or less up and down that were accessed from the inside of the w/w. Each side. Really not that hard a job.

Forseti

Great info, Thanks!

I did try getting at the bolts on the inside of the fender. I have deep sockets...and I have a large extension...I'll have to check if it fits. Maybe I'm wrong but I thought there was also a nut on the other side...because when I tried loosening it...it looked like the whole thing was turning...that was my only dilemna. that and the fact that I could only turn a few clicks...but this time the covering will come off.

I'll start with that and see if I'll need to take out the popups...but I'd prefer not to anyways.

I'm leaving to go do it now.

Thanks for the advice!

-F.

HAILERS

I wrote the first post at around 2-3am. Its now 9:37. There are only three nuts in the w/w.. There are five under the front of the hood. There are numerous ones along the bottom. The one one each side, under the pop ups. can be reached by running your hand under the light assy from the inboard side of the light assy. When in doubt, and are frustrated, USE BRUTE FORCE. Only half kidding. EDIT..... it could be the one that is spinning in the w/w has nothing to do with the bumper facia.

Forseti

Hey,

Thanks for the help. As it turns out the rear bumper came off nice and easy. Got all of the components I needed...except for the shock absorbers...there were 2 stripped bolts that I just couldn't get and didn't feel like taking the mufflers off.

As for the front...your advice was good...deep socket extension on the ratchet... although I actually ended up using a 7/16 instead of a 10mm. Unfortunately..some of the bolts just would NOT come off...and its a one sided attack. Also turning or taking off the wheel gives you more room also. Once the fascia is off..it's easy pickings from there.

So....unfortunately I had to butcher the front fasica...but that's okay since it's off this fellas car who's parting it out. Still I felt REALLY bad cutting into the fascia...not to mention I wouldn't have minded having an extra lying around in case.

Oh well...all for the love of the RX and the price of importing a car.

8 km/hr bumpers...sheesh.

Thanks for the help...I'm gonna still do that how-to when I install these parts on my TurboII.

/F.