Removal of Rear Bumper Facia - HOW?

[Guest]

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[Enzominator]

Got my DrawTight hitch ... took it to the GM dealer I bought the car at and they do not install hitches... took it to my local garage and they couldn't figure out how to remove the bumper facia... they got all the clips along the bottom off... and the ones in the corners... but they couldn't figure out how to get the TWO along the top off - They wanted to remove the tailgate! ... Any body know where exactly these clips are located and how to get to them?

[Newfie Hauler]

Enzominator,

First, I am kind of baffled as to why they have to remove the bumper to install the hitch.  But they must have their reasons.

The fascia is held on by six push-pin retainers along the bottom, two (one on each side) of the tailgate opening (tailgate does not have to be removed) and two (one on each side of the forward portion of the fascia.  It appears that they either attach from the wheel well opening or from behind.  There are also tabs on each side of the fascia that snap into the rear quarter cladding.  It appears that you pull the fascia straight out to undo those clips.  There is no description in the service manual for that part of the procedure.

Newfie

[Enzominator]

Thanks Newfie! - I installed the darn thing myself today - The hitch I got attaches to 4 of the rear bumper bolts (two lower on each side) as well as four mounting points under the frame- it looks great and I'm ready to 'tow' the bikes LOL

[muskie4817]

I believe I just purchased the same hitch that you are describing.  It came off of a 04 Aztek and I own a 03.  There are two plates that appear to attach behind the bumper bolts and then it attaches under the frame.  I noticed the 6 pins under the facia and the 2 on the sides.  How did you end up getting the facia off?  Did you have to take the tail gate off to get to the rest of the pins? 

[muskie4817]

Thank you very much for the information.  I am going to go out today and attempt to get the hitch attached.  I will let you know how it went.

[muskie4817]

Ok.  I attempted to take the facia off to install a hitch.  My hitch attaches under the frame and also between the rear bumper and frame.  I took out the 6 pins underneath, the 2 pins inside the tail gate at the sides and the 2 pins inside the inner wheel well.  I started pulling on the fascia and got both sides to come undone but the middle area feels as though it is held in place by another pin or  bolt.  The whole underside is loose as are the sides.  It feels really secure right in the middle on the top.  Anyone remember another pin somewhere and how to get to it?