Removing the Mitsubishi Eclipse bumper is occasionally necessary for some repairs and after-market modifications. Removing the bumper provides easier access to the headlight, foglights and forward area of the engine bay. Also, removing the bumper allows for easier bodywork changes when adding additional driving lights or other accessories. Just remember when doing the work to "force" nothing. Any time there is resistance, recheck all fasteners and make sure all is disconnected to make for a smooth and quick job.
Insert a jack stand under each of the forward axles, and lift the Eclipse about 5 inches. It will be necessary to get under the car later to access some of the fasteners securing the front bumper.
Remove the five large hex head bolts lined in front of the hood clasp. Remove the clips securing the aft end of the bumper in the wheel well. Turn the wheels "out" for easier access to the wheel well's forward area. Remove the two large hex head bolts behind the wheel securing the bumper frame. Turn the wheels the opposite direction and do the second wheel well.
There are four plastic push clips on a lip extended down about 2 inches under the Eclipse. Remove all these clips. There are also some hex bolts, but no need to remove those. They secure the plastic bodywork to the bumper frame.
You can get access to the bumper's interior with the external fasteners removed. Remove all the hex bolts securing the bumper to the Eclipse's frame. These are located over the turn signal lights. Disconnect all the electrical connections to the various light and accessories. A large vertical hex bolt is exposed on both wheel wells with the wheel well liner disconnected. Remove both. Two very large hex head bolts secure the bumper forward to the frame. Remove all four bolts, two on each side of the Eclipse.
The bumper is now free to remove. Slide it out forward, and carefully move the bumper away from the Eclipse. Be careful not to allow the bumper to tip, or the trailing edge could rise up and scratch the upper body work.
