Issues with Removing the Bumpers

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Jwindbigler

Issues with Removing the Bumpers

Post by Jwindbigler »

Im currently having issues removing the front and rear bumpers. I removed what appeared to be the only two bolts (per side) holding the whole thing to the frame. Is that all thats holding her on, or is there something im missing, and I need to just get a bigger hammer?
davery
Posts: 806
Joined: Sun Apr 15, 2012 8:51 pm
Your car is a: 1985 Spider
Location: Ohio

Re: Issues with Removing the Bumpers

Post by davery »

Jwindbigler wrote:Im currently having issues removing the front and rear bumpers. I removed what appeared to be the only two bolts (per side) holding the whole thing to the frame. Is that all thats holding her on, or is there something im missing, and I need to just get a bigger hammer?
If I remember correctly there are two bolts on each side connecting the bumper to the shock. I actually broke one getting my front off. My back bumper only had one bolt per side.
Don Avery
Dayton, OH/Sarasota,FL
1985 Pininfarina
2011 Eos
2012 Mercedes E550 Cabriolet
westy64

Re: Issues with Removing the Bumpers

Post by westy64 »

Jwindbigler wrote:Im currently having issues removing the front and rear bumpers. I removed what appeared to be the only two bolts (per side) holding the whole thing to the frame. Is that all thats holding her on, or is there something im missing, and I need to just get a bigger hammer?
at the front you can also release the pressure on the "shock absorbers" by unscrewing the plate that hold them in place, after or before removing the main bolts.
after this you only have to deal with the lights wires.

I assume that you talk about what is usually called the big ugly bars ?
Jwindbigler

Re: Issues with Removing the Bumpers

Post by Jwindbigler »

Lol. I can see why they call them that.

This plate. If I remember correctly, isn't it circular in shape, or am I not looking in the right place?
Jwindbigler

Re: Issues with Removing the Bumpers

Post by Jwindbigler »

davery wrote:
Jwindbigler wrote:Im currently having issues removing the front and rear bumpers. I removed what appeared to be the only two bolts (per side) holding the whole thing to the frame. Is that all thats holding her on, or is there something im missing, and I need to just get a bigger hammer?
If I remember correctly there are two bolts on each side connecting the bumper to the shock. I actually broke one getting my front off. My back bumper only had one bolt per side.
Thank you. Did you have an issue with one of the rear bolts? On the drivers side with the gas tank there? I'm kind of weary about using a metabo (cutter) that close to a fuel tank. Last time I knew gas + sparks = bad day & lots of $$$$$ lost
westy64

Re: Issues with Removing the Bumpers

Post by westy64 »

Jwindbigler wrote:Lol. I can see why they call them that.

This plate. If I remember correctly, isn't it circular in shape, or am I not looking in the right place?
no it's not circular (at least on my 76).
it has an odd shape, and it is bolted to the frame with 2 or 3 large bolts.
Jwindbigler

Re: Issues with Removing the Bumpers

Post by Jwindbigler »

westy64 wrote:
Jwindbigler wrote:Lol. I can see why they call them that.

This plate. If I remember correctly, isn't it circular in shape, or am I not looking in the right place?
no it's not circular (at least on my 76).
it has an odd shape, and it is bolted to the frame with 2 or 3 large bolts.
It's been a few days since I've been under there. I'll figure out what it is. I'm just afraid of those rusty ass bolts lol
davery
Posts: 806
Joined: Sun Apr 15, 2012 8:51 pm
Your car is a: 1985 Spider
Location: Ohio

Re: Issues with Removing the Bumpers

Post by davery »

Jwindbigler wrote:
davery wrote:
Jwindbigler wrote:Im currently having issues removing the front and rear bumpers. I removed what appeared to be the only two bolts (per side) holding the whole thing to the frame. Is that all thats holding her on, or is there something im missing, and I need to just get a bigger hammer?
If I remember correctly there are two bolts on each side connecting the bumper to the shock. I actually broke one getting my front off. My back bumper only had one bolt per side.
Thank you. Did you have an issue with one of the rear bolts? On the drivers side with the gas tank there? I'm kind of weary about using a metabo (cutter) that close to a fuel tank. Last time I knew gas + sparks = bad day & lots of $$$$$ lost
No issues with the bolts, but if you are talking about the bumper shocks that is a different story. In fact, the bolts were so rusted I was concerned about just snapping them off. I soaked them for a few days with PB Blaster and they came right off.
Don Avery
Dayton, OH/Sarasota,FL
1985 Pininfarina
2011 Eos
2012 Mercedes E550 Cabriolet
Jwindbigler

Re: Issues with Removing the Bumpers

Post by Jwindbigler »

I'm having a clearance issue. The bolt came free easily. But it's getting caught on the gas tank.
westy64

Re: Issues with Removing the Bumpers

Post by westy64 »

Jwindbigler wrote:I'm having a clearance issue. The bolt came free easily. But it's getting caught on the gas tank.
Ooops, didn't they tell you ?
You have no other solution than removing the tank (except if you unscrew the bolt about 10 mm, cut it with a saw blade, then unscrew 10 mm, then cut it with etc..... until you have no more bolt...).
You can avoid removing completely the tank, but you will lose some gas on the floor, even if you flush it.

How to flush the tank ?
Well you power the fuel pump and put the outside line into a jerrycan (check levels first).

good luck !
Jwindbigler

Re: Issues with Removing the Bumpers

Post by Jwindbigler »

I was afraid of that. I'll try to use a sawzaw to cut it. Less sparks. Thanks for the input. I'll have to get out my big hammer too I think lol
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4uall
Posts: 4145
Joined: Mon Sep 26, 2011 12:09 pm
Your car is a: 1980 Fiat Pininfarina Spider 2000 F.I.
Location: Ottawa, Ontario, Canada

Re: Issues with Removing the Bumpers

Post by 4uall »

BFH's ROCK :mrgreen:

Image
Jay

Fiona
1980 FI 2000 Spider
ITZEBTZE

https://goo.gl/photos/eNKaX7hrXhBu9fmp6

FINN (FN-2187)
2014 Jeep Wrangler Sport
MYTHERPY
Jwindbigler

Re: Issues with Removing the Bumpers

Post by Jwindbigler »

I think I have the same one. Harbor freight, 4lb mini sledge?
davery
Posts: 806
Joined: Sun Apr 15, 2012 8:51 pm
Your car is a: 1985 Spider
Location: Ohio

Re: Issues with Removing the Bumpers

Post by davery »

Jwindbigler wrote:I'm having a clearance issue. The bolt came free easily. But it's getting caught on the gas tank.
I think you are talking about the large bolt that attaches the bumper shock. I was talking about the nuts that attach the bumper to the shock. Anyway, yes that bumper shock bolt is a bit of an issue. I removed the nuts, in the trunk, that attached the fuel tank, I think there are maybe 4. Then I unhooked the filler hose from the tank. Then I jacked up the tank about 2 inches to clear the bolts in the trunk and slid the tank to the passenger side about 4-5 inches. Of course even though I had ran most of the fuel out, some ended up on the garage floor anyway. Sliding the tank gave me enough clearence to get the shock bolt out. I was able to do this without unhooking the fuel line going into the top of the tank. Good luck.
Don Avery
Dayton, OH/Sarasota,FL
1985 Pininfarina
2011 Eos
2012 Mercedes E550 Cabriolet
davery
Posts: 806
Joined: Sun Apr 15, 2012 8:51 pm
Your car is a: 1985 Spider
Location: Ohio

Re: Issues with Removing the Bumpers

Post by davery »

davery wrote:
Jwindbigler wrote:I'm having a clearance issue. The bolt came free easily. But it's getting caught on the gas tank.
I think you are talking about the large bolt that attaches the bumper shock. I was talking about the nuts that attach the bumper to the shock. Anyway, yes that bumper shock bolt is a bit of an issue. I removed the nuts, in the trunk, that attached the fuel tank, I think there are maybe 4. Then I unhooked the filler hose from the tank. Then I jacked up the tank about 2 inches to clear the bolts in the trunk and slid the tank to the passenger side about 4-5 inches. Of course even though I had ran most of the fuel out, some ended up on the garage floor anyway. Sliding the tank gave me enough clearence to get the shock bolt out. I was able to do this without unhooking any of the fuel lines going into the top of the tank. Good luck.
Last edited by davery on Mon Jun 24, 2013 11:59 pm, edited 1 time in total.
Don Avery
Dayton, OH/Sarasota,FL
1985 Pininfarina
2011 Eos
2012 Mercedes E550 Cabriolet
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