Share tips to remove rear bumper cover

[davmac]

I'm trying to remove my rear bumper cover for some repair and paint. I've studied the service manual and think I have all the necessary fasteners removed - which means I've destroyed some too. Still the thing seems held mainly in the center under or behind the license plate.

Anyone with experience willing to offer some tips or tricks to remove the rear bumper cover? Thanks

[Ryan]

Its real easy if you take the bumper support with.

four bolts hold the support on, two access from the trunk, two from underneath. Then the two screws by the wheel arches, and the two little support tab things at the bottoms near the wheels (if they're still intact) The ones behind the tail lights, and then the rest are clips.

[davmac]

Got it - thanks. It was the 2 bolts (one each side) that hold the bumper support from under the trunk. They are kind of hidden and in my case needed to be snapped due to rust.

Now the question is: Do I remove the bumper cover from the support so that I can replace the bolts I snapped or do I just mount using the remaining bolts? I believe a U bolt could be used to replace the one I snapped.