1. Attachments are working again! Check out this thread for more details and to report any other bugs.

Front Bumper cover replacement?

Discussion in 'Gen 3 Prius Care, Maintenance & Troubleshooting' started by C. Alan, Jan 22, 2013.

  1. C. Alan

    C. Alan Junior Member

    Joined:
    Aug 22, 2011
    10
    1
    0
    Location:
    Tehachapi
    Vehicle:
    2011 Prius
    Model:
    II
    Has anyone done a DIY front bumper cover replacement?

    I hit a curb with my silver 2011 a few months ago, and scrapped the front bumper cover up pretty badly. I have seen used covers for sale at salvage yards for under $200.

    How difficult is it to replace the front cover?
    Thanks,
    C. Alan
     
  2. rrg

    rrg Active Member

    Joined:
    May 18, 2010
    458
    120
    41
    Location:
    East coast - NJ
    Vehicle:
    2011 Prius
    Model:
    Two
    All you need is a 10mm socket with extension for the screws and remove the plastic pin fasteners. Maybe a #2 philips screw driver for one or two screws.

    That is all I needed to remove the front bumper and get to the headlights. Which includes the lower underneath bumper. It should take the first time 30mins.

    The only thing to remember is to tuck under the flat tray into the front bumper before you finish putting all the screws back. You don't want a leading edge to catch air if you install it wrong. I had to do it over because I forgot to tuck it under.

    How bad is it? I scraped mine turning over a curb and it sounded worse than it looked.
     
    TsKarma likes this.
  3. C. Alan

    C. Alan Junior Member

    Joined:
    Aug 22, 2011
    10
    1
    0
    Location:
    Tehachapi
    Vehicle:
    2011 Prius
    Model:
    II
    Ok Thanks. It looks like something that is within my skill level.
    Now I just have to find a cover. It's funny how I could find them when I didn't need one, and now I can't remember where I saw them online!
     
  4. Prius Five Guy

    Joined:
    Sep 6, 2012
    170
    20
    0
    Location:
    Los Angeles
    Vehicle:
    2013 Prius Plug-in
    Model:
    Plug-in Base
    So, I did the same thing last night and the end result looks AS BAD as the crunching sound. The hard plastic black panels directly beneath the driver side front bumper completely tore off from the front bumper (screws exposed). Also, the interior plastic lining that encases the driver side wheel/tire appears to be unstable/loose. My driver side headlight is also a little loose. Fortunately no damage to wheel or tire.....but I have a hunch the impact with curb F'd up my alignment.

    Any idea on how many parts will need to be replaced? Fingers crossed just the panels and NOT the entire front bumper.

    Thanks
     
  5. JoeM(GA)

    JoeM(GA) Member

    Joined:
    Jun 19, 2010
    40
    35
    2
    Location:
    Atlanta,GA
    Vehicle:
    2010 Prius
    Model:
    III
    brdt04 and Mendel Leisk like this.
  6. Mendel Leisk

    Mendel Leisk Senior Member

    Joined:
    Oct 17, 2010
    54,691
    38,232
    80
    Location:
    Greater Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
    Vehicle:
    2010 Prius
    Model:
    Touring
    upload_2017-2-12_8-19-21.png

    He doesn't mention, but with these connectors you want to turn the heads 90 degrees (with a broad flat blade screw driver) to release them.
     
    xliderider likes this.
  7. NavyLCDR

    NavyLCDR Active Member

    Joined:
    Oct 15, 2016
    188
    120
    4
    Location:
    Stanwood, WA
    Vehicle:
    2011 Prius
    Model:
    Three
    One thing that I discovered -

    The previous owner of my used Prius hit a parking curb very badly and twisted the lower radiator support back. In the process they ripped off the bumper spoiler (the first black shield that connects between the bumper and the engine shield). Ripping that off also split a couple of the square tabs where the bumper spoiler connects to the bumper. I didn't want to replace the bumper cover because it wasn't damaged badly, but still needed to fasten the new bumper spoiler to the damaged tabs on the bumper cover.

    I used these and they worked fantastic!:
    upload_2017-2-15_9-13-27.png

    They are one size too big, though, so you might want to use M6. The M8 bolts are tight fitting, especially in the two outer most holes on the bumper spoiler/fender liners. IMHO, these are much more secure than the original push-in plastic type.
     
    Mendel Leisk likes this.