has anyone removed the front bmper cover before?

This is going to sound pretty hack but it is factual... put on a lift, do the fiberglass repair & you can use a can of matte black 2.99 spray can paint that will be a perfect match.

I am the definition of OCD & trust me, I am amazed that as crude as this sounds, its true.

Buy a set of skid guards, mount them after you do fix & forget about it

Seriously, its as easy as that.

 

I would take Chermer3 advice. However if you wish to remove and do the job at least accomplish something really positive. Get rid of those wood screws that attach the bottom of the bumper to the undercarriage and replace with pop rivits that are self taping internally. Wood screw setup from Ferrari are a potential for coming apart and damaging undercarrige usuallly without warning.
Docf

 

What's a self-tapping pop rivit? Post a pic?

 

Seriously... its a perfect match. Maybe that states how good the original black matte finish is from Ferrari . Its a fiberglass bumper, repair is easy. Try it that way first, heck if you do not like the outcome than spend a few hundred for someone else to do.. you cant hurt it.

Do as you wish but the results will be the same. Put skid pads on & that will halt the rubbing on minor slow speed typical grade issue rubs..

Also, as I stated I am OCD also.. The reason I fixed mine (tho it was not visible from above) is that my car sits on a raised lift in my garage... so the whole underneath is visible more than the top... the bottom must be perfect as that is what everyone first sees when you walk in my gagrage.. lol. A half/assed repair would still have been visible.

 

Currently in Fl. will post when get back to Co. later in the week. The pop rivets I am speaking of are made of al. , stainless or cadium and may be ordered via automotive parts store. If the prior holes in the bottom of the bumper from old screws are good and structurally intact simply glass into old screw holes with additional strength made of Al or stainless as structural backing. The center of the special rivit is already tapped therefore eliminating of self tapping crude wood screw per Ferrari which will definely separate and fracture the underside of your bumper in time. New machined screws are simply inserted and screwed into rivit anytime you wish to remove bumper or airfold under front of the car. Always perfectly aligned and structurally secured. Did this to my 360 last yr. after discovering my airfoil appeared to be hanging bit low on one side. I had mine installed via body shop as my bumper at the time was chipped and in need of painting. Not a difficult job if have minimal knowlege of disimiliar metals and bonding. Non detectable and certainly better than Factory assembly error.
Docf

 

Thanks for that Docf, I think I get the "picture" now. Sounds like a good idea. If you get a chance to post a pic it would probably make sourcing some of those rivits a little easier for me so if you get a chance I'd appreciate your effort.

Cheers.

 

I dont mean to hijack this conversation, but I do have a question...

I have also scraped my bumper numerous times while driving on/off my driveway. My dealer has recommended the horse shoe skid plates.

Instead of installing skid plates, has anyone installed hydraulic suspension lift system on a 430 to overcome this problem??

 

Skid pads are the solution... no need to redesign the suspension Unless you go speeding into a dipped driveway, etc.. the pads will offer what you seek for protection. Everytime you rub, you will smile knowing the pads have done their duty to protect your spoiler..

 

This type of thing is so common that the dealers fix it the way this gentleman suggests. If you can not see it don't worry.

Good luck

Lee

 

If you need to remove bumper it is pretty easy. Remove front wheelwell guards,remove 2 13mm nuts at each end of bumper, disconnect both side marker lights, all screws front under tray. Now get into the front trunk and behind the 4 round plugs you will remove 4 17MM nuts(some might have RTV on them to see). Thats it.Pull forward with the help of a friend.

Good luck

 

Hi Matt,
As suggested by others, you may want to consider getting some skid plates.
The ones we supply are very effective and easy to fit.
Ciao
Brenden

 

The bumper can be removed fairly easy and then you can have it repaired. In the future, you could avoid the damage caused by this using the NOVITEC ROSSO suspension system that has a hydraulic control unit that is adjustable from inside the cockpit. I raises the front axle to get out of or into driveways and to get over speedbumps without damaging your car. You also get a great tuned suspension that is adjustable as well. The following is their price and description.

NOVITEC ROSSO aluminium coil over suspension Sport (dual adjustment) hydraulically adjustable in height
including dual adjustable aluminium shock absorbers front and rear with separated expansion
reservoir at damper housing, compression and rebound adjustable in front and rear as well as
a suspension control unit and 40mm hydraulic adjustment at the front axle F5 360 01 $ 11,950.--

Good luck.