Ok, I am trying to clean what I can on the XJ and paint some things. In the process of trying to remove the rear bumper, I can not figure out how to remove the upper mounting bolts. Can anyone help me on how to remove these 2 bolts without cutting them. I am putting the factory bumper back on after I paint it. Anyone?

Here is the FSM picture:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/9917174@N05/3263025693/

 

Removing the rear bumper was a pain in the ****. I finally grabbed the sawzall to cut out some notches so I could get my rachet in there. But then again I replacing it with a new bumper.

 

use a torch and cut is off and then go make a new bumper.. stock ones are about as thick as a tin can

 

If i remember correctly that is the bolt that is rounded off on the head. When i took my rear bumper off it took me about 30 min after trying about every size socket i had to figure out that it was a rounded head. You have to take a open end wrench and turn by turn take that nut off. Yes it is annyoing and time comsuming but you have to do it.

 

Seems that I used a boxed end ratching "Gear Wrench" made by Craftsman to get the top 4 bolts out. The factory did not give you much room to work on those top bolts.

 

OK, well this is what I thought. I guess I am not taking it off for now. Until I can scrap up the cash for an aftermarket bumper. I will have to try to paint it on the body. Thanks guys.

 

It is next to impossible to paint the inside of the bumper without removing it. Most aftermarket bumpers also use those 8 bolts as well so they have to come out eventually. This gives a great excuse to get some new tools too.

 

take off that rubber weather strip or w/e and you can get a wrench in there.

 

Go at it from underneath and use a box end or open end wrench. It hey are nasty spray some PB blaster on them and let them soak for a few days. You can get all of those bumper bolts out with a wrench without hacking up the bumper. Just takes some time and patience. Not every bolt can be removed with a socket and ratchet.......and I especially concur with Blue. Box end ratcheting wrenches are the coolest invention ever. I have a set of Metric and I'm gonna get a set of SAE!!

 

I only want to paint the outside of the bumper, so removing it isn't completely necessary. But I am not sure I know what 8 bolts you are talking about. I was able to remove 2 on the bottom and the 2 on the top were the only two I couldn't get to.

The removing the weather strip (the FSM called it a splash guard) didn't grant anymore access to the nut, only the rounded bolt.