Removal of Front Valance Panel?

[SK]

I have an '85 with the front chin spoiler. The PO hit a concrete curb right in the center of the valance and dented/scratched it. (right between the driving lights...the metal, not the rubber chin spoiler). I want to take it off, push the dent out, and repaint it, but I can't figure out how to get it off. Does the bumper need to come off too? Has anyone ever taken one of there apart? Please help w/ hints/instructions. Thanks in advance.

[cary]

There are 2 10mm bolts behind the jack and windshield washer pump. Kind of hard to find.
Then there are bolts forward of the bellows. One right in with the horns. And one up against the washer tank.

[Gary J. Spinella]

I just did this job so the process is fresh in my mind. Cary, is correct in his directions. Also, you don't need to take the bumper off. You have to disconnect the fog lamps. The connections are located in the trunk. When it's time to reinstall, you may want to fish the wire back through the gromment using a coat hangar wire or similar. Consider lubing the grommet with silicone spray as it will assist in the wire and connections passing through the grommet. This the first thing I would do prior to any bolts being installed. You can also put the valance on two old tires when your reconnecting the fog lamps. Next, install the two center 10mm bolts then move onto the corners.

[Erakad]

Ahhh, another one of my projects. On my 83 SC, I have clogged headlight washers...center bumper/valence area. Would the procedure be the same on an 83?

[pwm74]

I welded the bolts to the valance so I will never have to go through trying to fish those bolts through. makes take of and put on a snap

[73ess]

This post is 18 years old and is lacking photos. Can someone update it with photos anda more detailed explanation of how to remove only the front spoiler? Photos speak a thousand words, as they say. I need to remove the front valence panel on my 1985 911.

[JRSIII]

First...I'm going out on a limb and assuming an 85 is the same as an 88 for this job. Second, this job is much easier with the car jacked up and the front wheels removed. Car on jack stands for safety of course.

1) Remove fog lamp covers and bulb/lens assemblies. Take photo of wiring for re-installation late. Disconnect wires. Push grommet back through the fog lamp bracket.
2) You can leave the fog lamp brackets on at this point if you don't have a front oil cooler, but if you do, you need to remove these, since access to one of the mounting bolts will be through the passenger side fog lamp hole. Each fog lamp bracket is held on with one bolt each, and requires a 17mm socket and wrench for backup. I'd remove them either way as this job is fiddly enough without the extra weight.
3) Remove the two screws on each side that hold the valence to the small body trim panel behind the bumper bellows. See photo below. On the drivers side, the front screw is hidden by the oil cooler foam seal, if you have a front oil cooler. You can still fish a wrench in and get it off. A ratcheting box wrench works well for this.
4) There is one mounting bolt inside the front fender on each side. The driver side bolt is easily accessed from the wheel well, with the wheel removed as recommended above. Unfortunately access on the passenger side is blocked by the oil cooler, so you have to work through the fog lamp opening. It's a complete PITA, as there is no access to the back of the bolt. These require 13 mm sockets or wrenches. The attached thread contains some additional photos and pointers on removing the "hidden" bolt.
5) Now you can remove the last two bolts, that are accessed through the frunk. These need 10mm sockets.
6) As Bentley would say, installation is reverse of removal.

https://forums.pelicanparts.com/porsche-911-technical-forum/912637-can-you-remove-front-valance-without-removing-bumper.html

[Sajan]

When I took my 87 spoiler off, I took the bumper off also.
But these are the 4 bolts that secure the valance to the body. green ones are accessible from inside the trunk.



I am not sure if it's easy to do without having the bumper off. Also check out this link for a guide on how to take the bumper off.

'88 911 Bumper Removal

[Hotshot]

Great timing. Today I blew air down the line heard bubbles. Lights on, pressed button, pump worked, no fluid.

[73ess]

Thanks! So I'm assuming that the rubber bellows has to be removed in order to access the side mounting bolts that you describe in step 4?

Originally Posted by JRSIII

First...I'm going out on a limb and assuming an 85 is the same as an 88 for this job. Second, this job is much easier with the car jacked up and the front wheels removed. Car on jack stands for safety of course.

1) Remove fog lamp covers and bulb/lens assemblies. Take photo of wiring for re-installation late. Disconnect wires. Push grommet back through the fog lamp bracket.
2) You can leave the fog lamp brackets on at this point if you don't have a front oil cooler, but if you do, you need to remove these, since access to one of the mounting bolts will be through the passenger side fog lamp hole. Each fog lamp bracket is held on with one bolt each, and requires a 17mm socket and wrench for backup. I'd remove them either way as this job is fiddly enough without the extra weight.
3) Remove the two screws on each side that hold the valence to the small body trim panel behind the bumper bellows. See photo below. On the drivers side, the front screw is hidden by the oil cooler foam seal, if you have a front oil cooler. You can still fish a wrench in and get it off. A ratcheting box wrench works well for this.
4) There is one mounting bolt inside the front fender on each side. The driver side bolt is easily accessed from the wheel well, with the wheel removed as recommended above. Unfortunately access on the passenger side is blocked by the oil cooler, so you have to work through the fog lamp opening. It's a complete PITA, as there is no access to the back of the bolt. These require 13 mm sockets or wrenches. The attached thread contains some additional photos and pointers on removing the "hidden" bolt.
5) Now you can remove the last two bolts, that are accessed through the frunk. These need 10mm sockets.
6) As Bentley would say, installation is reverse of removal.

https://forums.pelicanparts.com/porsche-911-technical-forum/912637-can-you-remove-front-valance-without-removing-bumper.html

[JRSIII]

No, it's not necessary to remove the bellows.

[73ess]

Thanks. I read that the removing the filler panel on the passenger side will make it a bit easier to access the passenger side mounting bolt/nut. It's a bit more challenging because you have to get a 13 mm wrench on both the bolt head and the nut. The nut side is pretty difficult to access even through the fog light opening in the valence. I tried breaking the nut loose with my socket wrench a couple of extensions a flex coupler and a 13mm socket, through the fog light opening. But couldn't get a good bite on that nut. Argh!

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[JRSIII]

I've struggled with that nut for over an hour. I finally got it loose by putting a small socket on the nut without the ratchet because there is no clearance, and then clamping the socket with vise grips and somehow wedging or holding the vise grips to prevent the nut from turning. However, if the tip about removing the filler panel works, it's definitely the way to go.

Note that when I reassembled, I replaced the nut with a speed nut, so that next time I won't need to hold backup.

[Sajan]

Porsche PET has a speed nut + bolt/washer.
That's what I used. #2, 4, 5

[WMichelsen]

Stoopid question regarding the front valance parts. Can anyone tell me where the below pictured items go?

I've been pretty meticulous on disassembly to take pics, notes, and individually bag and label the doo-dads. Those 2 speed-nut things are in a bag I labeled (Front Valance fasteners). One ear has a "+" on it, so maybe on the Fog Lights?

[PeteKz]

Not sure about your '87 car, but those look like license plate nuts to me. They typically press into square holes in the bumper or valence.

[WMichelsen]

Bingo! Thanks Pete!
This was all part of a repaint. So, easy to lose track of a few things.