Curse the rear driver's side bumper shock...

[nicktheviking]

Started removing the bumpers this morning. Had a WTF moment when I saw where the bolt is for the rear driver's side bumper shock. Right next to the gas tank, what a brilliant engineering design.

Anyone have any ideas for getting it off without removing the gas tank? I read one guy used a hacksaw on the bolt.

[Danno]

can you get a dremel tool in there with a cut-off wheel? I pulled the tank, which ended up being easier than I ever imagined. It was a good way to clean and check my tank, which isn't a bad idea on a 30 year old car, anyway.

[mbouse]

your first week of posting, and already you are second guessing Luigi Guibo, our world famous engineer? I will be sure to tell him what you think of his handiwork.

Not doing this partiular task before, but knowing it is in my future, i've been reading up on the "proper" way to remove and re-install this bumper shock. Apparently, if you want it out, and wanna put it back in...you're gonna have to pull the tank.

As Danno reminds, this is a 30 year old vehicle. if you wanna re-install the tank right away, i would recommend being prepared with a replacement filler neck hose.

and, since you've obviously not met Luigi Guibo, the engineering department head for Fiat North America, here he is -

[nicktheviking]

Wow, he looks good for his age!

I don't mind dropping the tank if its a 1 day affair. Any writeups around these parts? I'm still shopping for a decent service manual...

[racydave]

Yep, Luigi aint got a hair on his head! But he dont use Chinese tools, or proper grammar! Pull that tank!

[manoa matt]

And unlike Luigi don't smoke when you pull the tank.

[SLOSpider]

Its an old thread but might help someone in the future.

This is what I did:

Remove fuel from tank: I used some fuel hose, a spare electric pump and my battery jumper box ( or hook to you battery).
Remove the outlet hose on the tank that goes to the carb ( its the larger of the two at the front of the tank). Install my hose on that fitting to my electric pump with other end into gas can, start pump and empty tank. If you have an electric pump already in your trunk you can just add a longer hose from its outlet to your gas can and turn on the key.

Remove all the nuts holding the tank down from inside the trunk

Remove the rest of the hoses that attach to the tank inside the trunk

From under car with a 7mm socket and long extension, remove the 2 screws holding cover for filler pipe

Remove clamp form filler hose to tank, may or may not be able to get hose off but make sure its not stuck to tank.

From inside trunk start to pull up on tank and filler hose should come off and tank pop out.

* I have read that you can remove all the tank hold down bolts then using a good piece of wood and a jack from the bottom, jack up the tank enough to reach bolt from under tank. The tank is pretty deep so Im not too sure if this works or not. Its not much more to remove the hoses and save yourself a dented tank....

[mdrburchette]

It must be a lot harder than on the early bumper cars. I can barely get a tool on the bolt but don't have to remove the tank.

[courtenay]

Do a search on rear bumper shock removal. Jamie (wachuko) has pics of how to lift the tank to remove the bolt.

[SLOSpider]

The later model cars have a tube that goes it the hole and the entire bolt must come out to get the tube out. Here is a pic of how long that bolt is:

[wachuko]

I thought it could not be done, but was proven wrong... easier to do than removing the tank... Photos to come, or look for my thread.

[wachuko]

Here you go...

Going back to a subject about 4 pages ago in this thread, did you ever get the LR bumper shock bolt out? I did mine today on my 82 by draining the tank but having done it, I think I could have done it by jacking up the tank. I say this because I loosened the clamp and drained the tank, but when I lifted and moved the tank, the filler hose never came completely off the tank neck. So I think it would have worked with a jack under the tank.

Jeff

Jaime,

you don't need to remove the tank to get the second bumper shock out, you can lift it with a car jack while all lines stay in place, this worked for me.

ciao,
Stefan

Well, confirmed it can be done by just carefully jacking up the tank. Thank you again Stefan!!

First loosen up the bolt with a 22mm wrench
Remove the four 13mm nuts that hold the gas tank down
You lift it until is above the four bolts that holds it in place and gently move it side ways away from the bolt.
Undo the bolt. Laugh a little for wasting so much time getting the tank out in the past now knowing you did not have to
Lower the lift a little to allow you to push it back into place.
Lower the lift completely so it comes down in place.
Tighten the four nuts (maybe, because of where those are, it is good to put a little of anti seize on them).
Pull out that nasty looking bumper shock!
Pat yourself in the back for a job well done and treat yourself to an espresso to celebrate.
One man job.

A few photos:

[noKYspider]

I removed my bumpers today and it was a mixed experience. The front took all of about 20 minutes. The back was convoluted and difficult because of the fuel tank. I tried wachuko's method of leaving everything hooked up and simply jacking up the tank but that didn't work for me. I think the main reason is because my hoses didn't have much slack in them as they had been replaced at some point. I ended up having to undo the hoses on the top of the tank, drain the fuel by undoing the filler hose, and undoing the fuel system components on the far side of the fuel tank. After that we lifted the right side of the tank and pulled it up and out. The bumper bolt came out easily. My advice to anyone wanting to remove the bumper is to start with the rear driver's side bolt first as it is the most difficult by far. After that the rest of the job is super easy.

[124spiderman]

removing tank: less than 1 hour. Easy as.
While you're at it get it cleaned.....you'll be amazed at what comes out of it.