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Not trying to be a smart ***, but I don't understand the logic of removing the bumper. So the goal of "doing it right" by removing the bumper is to keep 2 invisible tabs pristine, on a $140 part that's still available from Mazda?Why would you remove the bumper if you don't need to? You risk broken interior plastic mounts (you need to pop off the 4 large plastic panels) and cracks in your bumper paint when you flex it taking it off. Plus those blind plastic retainers between the bumper and fender don't play nice after 25 years of dirt. Are they even available now?
I say Mazda should have made that tab with a slot from the get go. But like so many other engineering nightmares on the FD, it wasn't thought through.
My valance is in great condition with just a bit of damage from the previous exhaust, but I will not remove the bumper just to replace it. As mentioned above...the ancillary risk in doing so is significantly greater. I ordered a new one thinking it was a 5 minute job, but I'll live with it for now.
05-04-18, 01:06 AM
