HELP! Front bumper installation issues
 

I've had the front bumper off a few times and today I noticed in the corner at the rear of the headlight that the bumper doesn't want to stay put. I had this exact same issue on the tC. Has anyone else had this issue and how did you fix it?

This
Attachment 11138

Should be this
Attachment 11139

It seems like the forward most tab doesn't sit down far enough.

Loose plastic that stays on the car where the bumper snaps. Happens all the time atthe bodyshop at the dealer we keep replacing those on yaris and corollas. Dont know iv its made the same way

How do you fix it? Replace the plastic bracket that holds the headlight to the car which is the piece this snaps into? Seems like a crap deal if you pull off the front bumper it won't properly align without replacing stuff.

Get used to it. I keep a bunch on hand for my MR-S. Clips, snaps, pop-its, etc.

If this is something that needs to be replaced it isn't just a simple clip or pop-it. It's the whole bracket that holds in the headlight. I would guess a minimum of $100 to replace. I don't think Toyota or Subaru would have made a large piece that fails this easy. There is probably some method to getting it back in that I've overlooked.

I have the same problem. Are you sure the clips aren't replaceable? That would suck. Going to the dealer tomorrow to see if I can order some clips.

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Darrens DIY - Check out the bracket I am talking about. I don't want to take the whole front bumper off again to inspect if I don't have to but I guess people just haven't really dealt with it yet. Here's the bracket that isn't holding the bumper tab like it should.

That's the bracket that holds the nose around the headlight. No replaceable clips in it. I am wondering if I should try and wedge something thin in there to hold it.

Them check your bumper to see if the built inclips are atil sharp or round perhaps. You leep taking it off so something is worn. Its not made to be taken off condtantly

Hahaha, I know. The bumper has been off twice with one extra pull out when aligning it the first time so effectively the clip has been used 3 times. This is probably 3 times more than most people will ever do but any of us that want to work on the headlights or if the CAI they choose goes into the front or even intercoolers we will all start having this problem. It happened on my last car and I never spent the time trying to find a fix. I would just pull it off again and start looking at it but then I risk the passenger side failing too. Before I go that route I thought I would ask the forum members since most of us like to mod our vehicles. I am just curious if anyone has found a technique that 1st off can prevent this from happening if you have to take off the front bumper and 2ndly how to repair without a new bracket if it does occur.

Not a clip issue, it's a bumper cover mold issue. The clips don't line up properly to the fender and put extra stress on the clips which cause them to pop out/break very easily. Here's my experience so far:

http://www.ft86club.com/forums/showthread.php?t=9289

Thanks for the heads up. Looks like it's happening without ever removing the bumper. Mine is going into the dealer today for a Five Axis lip kit re-install since the dealer I bought it from botched the job. I will ask them for input and see if they can repair while it's apart but it's a long shot since I don't think they need to pull the front bumper off to redo the lip kit.

If it's the same issue as mine, there is no fix. The bumper itself is molded improperly and cannot be repaired (without cutting/melting/remolding the whole section that connects to the fender). It will need to be replaced completely. Hopefully for you, it's not the exact same issue I'm having!

Update - Bumper replaced and all new clips around headlights installed by body shop. Drivers side popped out again and the car has only been back in my possession for an hour. Wonder if the body shop really replaced the bumper....