G
Guest2017
Took it to the local DIY shop for first of several DIY projects. This one purely cosmetic. Front and Rear bumper trim accessory package installation. Since I had it on a lift, I decided to do an intermittent tire rotation as well. I always clean the internals of the wheels when I rotate, inspect brakes, rotors, pads, lines, CV boots and basically all front/rear suspension components. I like to maximize my lift time as much as possible.
Before (Front & Rear):
Kit Prep:
After On Lift (Front & Rear):
After Off Lift (Front & Rear):
Wheel Cleaning Before Rotation (just because):
- Install time 35 minutes
- Basic tools required (Drill and Screwdriver)
- Minimal skills require (common sense)
- Dealer install not necessary
- Having access to a lift makes life easier, but not necessary for this DIY
2 Warnings: (1) The written instructions call for installing center screws prior to removal of red tape from adhesive. This is incorrect as doing so will guarantee that you will not be able to remove red backing tape from inside of newly positioned trim piece, as the tape will be blocked by the screws.
My suggestion is to completely remove red backing tape first from center section of trim piece, then carefully center and position front edge of new trim piece to come in contact with existing bumper trim piece. Slowly close the gap between bumper and the adhesive tape on the inside of the new trim piece until they barely make contact with each other. Check alignment one final time (it will be perfectly aligned at this point if you did the dry fit step correctly earlier according to the written instructions) and then firmly press center front edge of new trim piece into bumper - working your pressing action outward to the left and right simultaneously until you reach the left and right ends of the new trim piece. By this time, the entire trim piece should be set into position on the bumper in the correct position. You can then install both center screws at that point along with the remainder of the installation attachments. Read the written instructions first and then read this again - it will make more sense.
(2) Also note that before drilling holes for the expansion pins, check that your drill bit has the correct diameter (width). It is best to error on the side of caution, if you are unsure about the diameter (width) of your drill bit, by using a drill bit smaller than specification. You are drilling into the plastic underside of the bumper (front and rear require the same size hole) and it is easier to widen that hole to accommodate the expansion pins than it is to source a larger expansion pin because you blew a hole to wide.
If I had used the drill bit size acclaimed by the specs (written instructions), the hole would have been too large and the expansion pin would have been too loose, causing poor fitment of the trim piece. I instinctively used a drill bit slightly smaller with the intention of customizing the fit for the hole, as I knew these plastic expansion pins don't always fit precisely right in other areas of the under-car unrelated to the bumper (Mazda uses these plastic expansion pins in the panels everywhere under the CX-9). I widened each hole until the fit was tight and the trim piece was tightly secured flush to the bottom side of the bumper.
Have fun doing your own bumper trim DIY.
Before (Front & Rear):
Kit Prep:
After On Lift (Front & Rear):
After Off Lift (Front & Rear):
Wheel Cleaning Before Rotation (just because):
- Install time 35 minutes
- Basic tools required (Drill and Screwdriver)
- Minimal skills require (common sense)
- Dealer install not necessary
- Having access to a lift makes life easier, but not necessary for this DIY
2 Warnings: (1) The written instructions call for installing center screws prior to removal of red tape from adhesive. This is incorrect as doing so will guarantee that you will not be able to remove red backing tape from inside of newly positioned trim piece, as the tape will be blocked by the screws.
My suggestion is to completely remove red backing tape first from center section of trim piece, then carefully center and position front edge of new trim piece to come in contact with existing bumper trim piece. Slowly close the gap between bumper and the adhesive tape on the inside of the new trim piece until they barely make contact with each other. Check alignment one final time (it will be perfectly aligned at this point if you did the dry fit step correctly earlier according to the written instructions) and then firmly press center front edge of new trim piece into bumper - working your pressing action outward to the left and right simultaneously until you reach the left and right ends of the new trim piece. By this time, the entire trim piece should be set into position on the bumper in the correct position. You can then install both center screws at that point along with the remainder of the installation attachments. Read the written instructions first and then read this again - it will make more sense.
(2) Also note that before drilling holes for the expansion pins, check that your drill bit has the correct diameter (width). It is best to error on the side of caution, if you are unsure about the diameter (width) of your drill bit, by using a drill bit smaller than specification. You are drilling into the plastic underside of the bumper (front and rear require the same size hole) and it is easier to widen that hole to accommodate the expansion pins than it is to source a larger expansion pin because you blew a hole to wide.
If I had used the drill bit size acclaimed by the specs (written instructions), the hole would have been too large and the expansion pin would have been too loose, causing poor fitment of the trim piece. I instinctively used a drill bit slightly smaller with the intention of customizing the fit for the hole, as I knew these plastic expansion pins don't always fit precisely right in other areas of the under-car unrelated to the bumper (Mazda uses these plastic expansion pins in the panels everywhere under the CX-9). I widened each hole until the fit was tight and the trim piece was tightly secured flush to the bottom side of the bumper.
Have fun doing your own bumper trim DIY.