F55/F56 :: Hatch Talk (2014+) MINI Cooper and Cooper S (F55/F56) hatchback discussions.

F55/F56 Front Bumper Trim Removal

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  #1  
Old 06-13-2014, 05:42 PM
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Front Bumper Trim Removal

This is required if you are putting on auxiliary lights and if you want to change your grill or chrome front trim.


Step 1
Remove the front wheel arch trim.
These use clips that will break if you are not careful.
Open the hood and use a slot screwdriver between them and the body of the car to pop them off. Work from the top of the arch down.
Once all the clips are off you need to get the front 2 slot clips out of the lower bumper trim. They will pull out with the help of a slot driver.
The lower back has to slide forward so you need to pull the liner free at the bottom to slide it past. Make sure you unplug the lights.
 
Attached Thumbnails Front Bumper Trim Removal-dsc02378.jpg   Front Bumper Trim Removal-dsc02379.jpg   Front Bumper Trim Removal-dsc02372.jpg  
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Old 06-13-2014, 05:44 PM
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Step 1 (continued)
 
Attached Thumbnails Front Bumper Trim Removal-dsc02373.jpg   Front Bumper Trim Removal-dsc02374.jpg   Front Bumper Trim Removal-dsc02375.jpg  
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Old 06-13-2014, 05:50 PM
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Step 2
Remove the 7 bolts on the underside of the front bumper trim. this can be done with the car in the drive using a socket - these are metal bolts through plastic.
Remove the 2 bolts on the wheels arch. The lower one is accessed from inside the wheel arch.
 
Attached Thumbnails Front Bumper Trim Removal-dsc02376.jpg   Front Bumper Trim Removal-dsc02383.jpg   Front Bumper Trim Removal-dsc02382.jpg  
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Old 06-13-2014, 05:58 PM
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Step 3
Remove the 5 bolts on the top of the radiator (just in front) that hold on the trim.
You will need a helper.
Pull the whole assembly off the car. If you have auxiliary lights you will need to unplug these.
Done! Now you can take any plastic piece off the front without breaking it.
Or install the brackets for the driving lights.
I'll post how to do that soon.
:-)
More pics below
 
Attached Thumbnails Front Bumper Trim Removal-dsc02384.jpg   Front Bumper Trim Removal-dsc02385.jpg   Front Bumper Trim Removal-dsc02386.jpg  
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Old 06-13-2014, 06:07 PM
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Off the car....
 
Attached Thumbnails Front Bumper Trim Removal-dsc02387.jpg   Front Bumper Trim Removal-dsc02396.jpg   Front Bumper Trim Removal-dsc02397.jpg  
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Old 06-13-2014, 06:10 PM
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It doesn't look as bad as I thought...
 

Last edited by VYPUR; 06-13-2014 at 06:24 PM.
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Old 06-13-2014, 06:36 PM
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You are very kind to document this Greg!
 
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Old 06-13-2014, 07:31 PM
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good stuff
 
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Old 06-13-2014, 08:51 PM
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I love your car: even with its jaw removed.
 
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Old 06-14-2014, 06:27 AM
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Thanks Di! Hopefully get the auxiliary lights on this weekend....probably illegal to dirve like this!
 
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Old 06-14-2014, 09:00 AM
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Nice how-to.
 
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Old 06-14-2014, 09:31 AM
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Originally Posted by GregoryK
Thanks Di! Hopefully get the auxiliary lights on this weekend....probably illegal to dirve like this!
Yeah, you'll get a fix it ticket for no front plate

FYI, your car looks fantastic!
 
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Old 06-14-2014, 09:41 AM
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Originally Posted by Diana De Van
I love your car: even with its jaw removed.
Ugh, I really wish I had gone with your cars color, those viper stripes and side stripes are just perfect. Right amount of aggression without being garish. How much did your wheels set you back?
 
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Old 06-14-2014, 11:10 AM
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Haw does the chrome surround come off?
 
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Old 06-14-2014, 01:40 PM
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Originally Posted by jbewley
Haw does the chrome surround come off?
I'm pretty sure that once you have the the whole assembly all off as shown in step 3, you then have access from the backside to all the clips for getting the chrome surround off and/or the grill itself.
 
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Old 06-14-2014, 04:03 PM
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Thanks!!

Are there no bolts or screws to remove on the lower section of the bumper?? Just wheel arch and the ones on the top?!

FMIC looks large!
 
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Old 06-14-2014, 06:46 PM
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Originally Posted by aafflyer
I'm pretty sure that once you have the the whole assembly all off as shown in step 3, you then have access from the backside to all the clips for getting the chrome surround off and/or the grill itself.
I agree, but I want to to know what the release clips look like. Are they the same as the ones that hold the wheel arch or different.
 
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Old 06-14-2014, 06:50 PM
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There are also 7 bolts on the underside of the bumper.
I will take pictures of the clips on the back before I put the bumper back on.
 
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Old 06-14-2014, 06:50 PM
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Originally Posted by R99
Thanks!!

Are there no bolts or screws to remove on the lower section of the bumper?? Just wheel arch and the ones on the top?!

FMIC looks large!
Read the second part of step 2 again. It described bolts on the lower section of the bumper being removed.
 
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Old 06-14-2014, 07:43 PM
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Thanks AA - Correct. Greg
 
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Old 06-15-2014, 05:13 PM
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Pictures from the dark side....I personally would pull the bumper to do this. But for those with thin arms...On most of these one part lifts to release the other part. It's designed for quick assembly - you have to bee careful when dismantling it if you are doing it blind especially the ones on the bottom of the top grill.
 
Attached Thumbnails Front Bumper Trim Removal-dsc02410.jpg   Front Bumper Trim Removal-dsc02408.jpg   Front Bumper Trim Removal-dsc02413.jpg  
  #22  
Old 09-21-2014, 01:02 PM
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any idea how the chrome grill molding comes off..have to replace mine and dont want to mess anything up..thanks
 
  #23  
Old 09-21-2014, 01:30 PM
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Best way is to pull the bumper. IOM. People have taken them off without this but it is way safer in my opinion.
 
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Old 09-21-2014, 01:33 PM
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oh ok..seems like it is just clipped on
 
  #25  
Old 09-22-2014, 11:27 AM
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Bob - it would be almost impossible to get to all the clips by putting your hand in behind the bumper. I know your surround is damaged but if ripping it out you damage one of the retainers that are part of the main bumper you will end up replacing and painting the whole thing. DON'T RISK IT. Follow my instructions and if you get really stuck you can PM me.
 


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