Curiosity

Am I the only person who is going nuts trying to remove the cheap plastic retainers from the air dam and bumper cover? the plastic heads just spin, and spin, but nothing loosens up... after a few turns the plastic + in the heads are completely stripped. I must be doing something wrong... do I need another tool, perhaps my sawsall

JeepDawg

I know you don't want to hear this, but mine came out easily....it takes a light touch. If you have already stripped them out, drill them out and pop them out. Several folks have started drywall screws in them, then used a screwdriver to slowly turn the plastic screw and drywall screw simultaneously to back them out.

Search Piginajeep's front bumper removal thread...it explains how.

Hope it helps!

Robar

They are not screws. Use a dry wall screw to grab the top then just pull out the center. The rest will come out easily after removing the center.

AZJeeper

I take it you are going to trash the plastic air dam and bumper anyway? Pry a little pressure with a flat-head screwdriver and turn gently. If that doesn't work, rip the bastards out! They are cheap to replace if you damage them (most auto parts stores carry them). No sense getting the undies in a bundle over cheap replaceable parts!

Curiosity

took a break to cool off and thought about it for a min and did it w/ an exterior screw just like you guys suggested. i dont really care if I mess up the screws b/c the air dam isn't going back on.

Blues 2

I wish I would have heard those tips when it was time to remove the rest of mine. After it partially tore off from some offroading, I tried using a phillips. No luck of course. I kicked and pulled until it finally let go. PIA.

BillionDollarDan

that's funny. i just ripped mine off

GoodysGotaCuda

you are pushing on the "screw" instead of trying to pull it up and out when turning. Don't have a clue why so many people have issues, had mine in and out a dozen times with no problems. I would't recommend tossing the plastic shield unless you have a similar piece of steel to go there. Expect some good hood flutter afterwards.

Muffins

Mine came out easily, but it took a very light touch, a couple didn't come all the way out so a set of robogrips finished the job.

geebee

go for a decent night wheel. should fall off mine did.