Can you Remove and Re-use an old rear step bumper pad without damaging the locking tabs to re-use it ?

[saxtech]

Hi guys and gals....

Has anyone ever "safely removed" the top rear bumper pad (plastic cover) on a rear step bumper without damaging the little plastic locking tabs, and re-using the pad on a different bumper ?

I just bought a nice, used chrome rear step bumper to replace my black step bumper. The used chrome bumper that I just purchased, does not have the top pad (black plastic cover) on it. So I was wondering if it is possible to remove the old pad from my old black bumper "safely" (without damaging the little square plastic locking tabs) and re-using it on the chrome bumper that I just got ?

Has anyone safely done this without damaging the plastic locking tabs ? Can those tabs be re-used to “securely” hold down the pad to the next bumper flat ?

Or should I just buy a new pad ?

Heres a pic of the cover / pad that I am talking about.

Thanks everyone.
Gary

 

[Grumpaw]

No reason why you can't re-use the old pad.
Just take your time removing the pad from the old bumper...pair of needle nose and just squeeze clips one at a time.....
5 minutes to remove, 5 minutes to clean bottom and 30 seconds to put back on.

 

[Snoranger]

Yes, you can remove it without damage.
Remove the bumper and pinch each tab with pliers from underneath as you pull the pad off.

Edit: Like Grumpaw said.

 

[adsm08]

Yes, you can remove it without damage.
Remove the bumper and pinch each tab with pliers from underneath as you pull the pad off.

Edit: Like Grumpaw said.

This is how I do it.

 

[saxtech]

Thanks everyone. You guys are giving me the confidence I need to do this correctly.

 

[Grumpaw]

Just for info...
If for any reason the pad is un-usable, you can get a new one, Ford part, from numerous outlets. Cheapest I found was via Amazon, under $60.00 shipped.
Just google up 2003 Ford Rear Bumper Pad.

 

[JohnnyO]

Been there, done that. A little Gorilla Glue and a couple of bricks is helpful.

 

[SenorNoob]

Shouldn't be hard to find warm weather. Lay it in direct sunlight first for awhile. The pad will be far more flexible. Easier to work with.

 

[romcjr]

Are you putting old pad on new bumper ?

 

[saxtech]

Are you putting old pad on new bumper ?

I'm putting the old pad on another (used) bumper. Going from a used black rear bumper to a used chrome rear bumper that I just got (used) but the chrome one doesn't have a pad on it (not sure why it was removed). The pad on my black bumper is in good condition other than a little fading. So if I can successfully remove it without damaging the tabs, then why not save a little money by trying to re-use it on the chrome bumper I just got..

 

[RegularGuy]

I've not done the rear pad before but was able to transfer the plastic strip on my 1993's front bumper without issue.... Even being 5-6 years ago, I think mine was still an older piece of plastic than what you're dealing with now, you should have no trouble