I've got an idea I want to investigate, but was wondering if anyone had any experience removing the bumper skin from the early EA82 front or rear bumpers.  There are brackets bolted in the corners little clips on the skin that match up to cutouts on the bumper frame, but I would need 12 arms to compress all the clips at once.  My only EA82 FSM is for the 1987 model year, so not helpful on the early bumpers.

Thanks!

Will check whatever FSM or FPM that I have at home, when I can. 

Any luck with this Paul?

Have the 85 FPM here. I think I’ll have better luck texting you.

 

Hey I got it. Hold on I’ll add all I have including XT

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Hope those help.

Ahhhh, FPM, not FSM...  I've got an 85-90 parts catalog, same illustration.  Looking for the how-to instructions from the 85-86 FSM.

I do appreciate the help though Paul, you're a gentleman and a scholar.

Ok I’ll see if I have an FSM for those. 
 

To me if you can see that exploded view you’ve got a good shot at figuring it out. Or not .... hang on. 

I can see the clips on the back side of the bumper but I only have two hands and there are somewhere around 15 clips that all feel like they'd need to be released at the same time for the skin to peel away.  Hard to get that many hands in one place during a pandemic!

Hoping the early EA82 FSM provides some hints.

I changed out both, getting the damn bolts out without stripping them was the biggest challenge......easy as hell if you do after that.

I sprayed Hammerite paint on the steel structure underneath to extend the overall life too.

Do you meant the bolts holding the corner brackets to the bumper frame?  Luckily those weren't rusty, but the plastic clips from the bumper skin the secure it to the steel frame, there are so many of them and they all seem to need to release at the same time...

I removed the front bumper skin myself from my 86 GL wagon. I didn't know there was a trick to it and I'm not mechanical when it comes to cars. It just popped off at each end and the new one popped on.

Still haven’t found the manuals.

 

Maybe have some little wedges to support the skin as you go alone from one end to the other releasing the clips and stuffing a wedge in there to keep it from seating itself back in ? 

Not a bad idea.  I'll have another look at it over the long weekend.

I have an 89 manual. Getting exhausted so I’m not sure what I can do. Pics too large , I’m needing sleep soon. But hey I’ve got something happening. Going to try to add to FB USMB group 

Thanks Paul, saw this on FB!