2003 LX Front Bumper Dented in Snow

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Feb 20, 2008
  #1  
This was a dumb mistake. I accidentally drove my LX into a snow embankment .

I'm thinking that I might be able to fix this on my own but I may have no idea what I'm getting myself into. There is no paint damage, but who knows, some paint might chip away if I try and push this back into its original position.

I searched and searched but cannot find any DIY directions on how to get my hand or a rubber mallet to the inside of the front bumper.

Please help. Thanks a lot!

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Feb 20, 2008
  #2  
Re: 2003 LX Front Bumper Dented in Snow
It comes off in 10 minutes just take it off
Feb 20, 2008
  #3  
Re: 2003 LX Front Bumper Dented in Snow
yah the bumper cover is easier to get off than you think.. look up the diy for painting headlights and it'll show you.. I think you could fix it w/ a rubber mallet.. Honda tin cans FTW!!
Feb 20, 2008
  #4  
Re: 2003 LX Front Bumper Dented in Snow
liek everyone said, take off ur bumper, and just push the dent out.
Feb 20, 2008
  #5  
Re: 2003 LX Front Bumper Dented in Snow
use a hair dryer to make it warm and plyable and then push it out, you risk cracking the paint when its cold...

to take the bumper off, open hood, there is maybe 4 clips you need to pop the center out with a screwdriver. There are several more of these clips underneath the bumper. In the fenderwell there is also one (i think) and a philips screw up top. undo all of these and pull from the fender to the other direction, its stuck in with clips and needs light force. Put a towel down so you dont scrap the bumper when it drops off.
Feb 21, 2008
  #6  
Re: 2003 LX Front Bumper Dented in Snow
let me tell u one thing,

My friend has a mazda6. He back into a pole and make a dent excatly like yours but at the rear bumper.

2 days after , it poped right back out itself because the hot summer weather.

lol....
Feb 21, 2008
  #7  
Re: 2003 LX Front Bumper Dented in Snow
Yeah, with the heat, the plastic expanded and put more force on a dent that had less depth and more force expanding the plastic, reverting back to its original molded shape... With his dent though, its not going to do that because A its too cold where hes at, and B the dent has too much depth, heat alone would make it most likely make it worse.

Heat the back of the bumper so its more flexable and then heat the painted side so the paint doesnt crack. Push it outslowly so the paint doesnt get a bunch of hairline fractures.
Feb 21, 2008
  #8  
Re: 2003 LX Front Bumper Dented in Snow
Ya, I'd say take off the bumper (10 mins easy) and bring it inside somewhere and let it warm up then push it back.

When I got into my accident my bumper was pushed in next to the actual metal bumper and all I did was hammer it out so I didn't have the dent while I drove it before it went into the shop.
Feb 21, 2008
  #9  
Re: 2003 LX Front Bumper Dented in Snow
I took a lighter to the inside of mine then pushed it out with my foot.
Mar 2, 2008
  #10  
Re: 2003 LX Front Bumper Dented in Snow
Thanks for all your help. I got the bumper off in about 10 minutes as suggested and followed these instructions:
6 things to remove from the bottom:
4 regular size snaps,
2 screws,
2 large size snaps

4 things to remove from under the hood:
4 regular size snaps

2 things to remove from the wheel wells:
2 screws (one on each side)

I brought the bumper up to where I could use a hair dryer, heated it up, and it pushed smoothly back out in place. It looks almost as good as new, unless you look at the area within ~10 inches.

Here are some pics before and after. Thanks again.

Picture 4.jpg   Picture 6.jpg   Picture 9.jpg   Picture 10.jpg  

Mar 2, 2008
  #11  
Re: 2003 LX Front Bumper Dented in Snow
nice! you can't really tell it was there
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