[2014LTDLTZ]

JTrosky to the rescue again! Thanks for the insight, JT. Ugh - I was afraid of that. Although I am a firm believer in undressing the area in which you are working, I'm not a fan of removing bumper covers unless there is no other option.... Not conceding defeat just yet, but will need to noodle on this for awhile to see if I can come up with a work around. Like many things, I have a feeling there is the "official" way to remove them and possibly an "unofficial" way the body shop professionals have figured out to save time/effort.

Thanks again, JT.

 

[2014LTDLTZ]

Thanks, JT. I have the paper version from Helm and GM clearly didn't put much effort into the grille removal section, much less updating some other parts of the manual which reference a "50th Anniversary Model" which, I think was either 2007 or 2008. Given that I sprung the cash for a 2014-specific workshop manual, I find it a little amusing/disappointing that the 2014 manual references something specific to a model year six or seven years older and not offered since then.

If I am understanding the clip mounting system correctly (at least on the upper grille), I am thinking a series of plastic wedges or shims inserted between the grille and the bumper cover at each attachment point may be enough to dislodge the clip, but I'll need to play with it.

 

[2014LTDLTZ]

Great pic, JT. Thanks for providing. I saw a similar perspective this morning when I had the driver's headlight out and managed to "persuade" the side-most tab out of its hole, then I saw what looked like a line of more tabs just like it and decided I better consult the oracle (you guys) before proceeding. This is definitely a warm weather task (plastic is more pliable, less likely to break). Definitely not a fan of the "brute strength" approach when it comes to body fasteners made by GM - that spells disaster for the tabs/clips.

For the sake of completeness and to show that I am open to alternative approaches, how many fasteners to remove the bumper cover? I am assuming it is best to remove the side and bottom fasteners before removing the top?

Some day, I need to buy you a beer.

 

[2014LTDLTZ]

Hi Jimmy - an update on my original post.

Short answer: undress the front end like JT suggests. It IS a little more involved than I wanted to do, BUT it did give me unfettered access to install an aftermarket trans cooler. Looking back on it, I don't think I could have done it any other way. With the major pieces in place (e.g., bumper cover, etc.) even IF I had been able to somehow remove the grilles from the outside, there would have been very little/no room for me to do what I wanted/needed.

Get in touch with your Impala and remove the bumper cover as advised.