alchemist1

Someone just smacked the Suburban's rear bumper and the left rear light. The light is very easy to replace myself. I can get parts from the new GM Conquest program, where they get you the parts at below wholesale, to try and compete with the aftermarket manufacturers, in order to try to offset the $500 deductible. Thinking about taking off the bumper skin too. Basically letting the body shop just paint the new skin, and I'll install.

The question here is, is there a step by step procedure for removal of the rear bumper skin/cover? I see two bolts underneath, two on each side at the wheel well, one push tab on each side at the wheel well. Two 'hidden' bolts on each side, accessed from underneath, and then some bolts and clips when you open the rear cargo door. YOu also have to pull off each of the four backup sensors. Am I missing anything??

alchemist1

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ChevyFreak

Does this help (see attachment)? Good Luck!!

73shark

alchemist1: Welcome to the forum.

Don't forget to check the parking sensors.

alchemist1

Very helpful! Thanks! I see one bolt on the side of the bumper skin i hadn't counted on. One that goes sideways instead of up and through! Also one more question - does the step pad connect through all the way to the actual steel bumper, or does it just affix to the bumper cover? In other words, are there clips or something that have to be kept in mind? How do you access the clips?

alchemist1

Looks like the easiest way to get to these is just pull the actual sensor out of the bumper skin (they're clipped in) instead of pulling the electrical connector off of the sensor? Someone had posted a nice diagram of these on the forum a few months back that I found.

ChevyFreak

I'll just attach another file. It's much easier to explain when you have something to reference. The step pad is just on the bumper itself, and is held on by clips. The PDF file explains how to take it off.

alchemist1

Thanks! So since it is attached directly to the bumper, thru the bumper skin, it would seem it has to come off first, before bumper skin. But the instructions clearly say to remove the bumper cover first, then the step pad. Am I missing something??

ChevyFreak

The pages I am providing you with are coming out of a service manual that I have. Unfortunately, more times then not, I feel as though I am reading foreign language. The directions are so vague I find myself asking more questions than having answers.

Anywho, I don't think it truly matters in what order you do it. I could be wrong, but it seems like it should come off either way. The step pad is merely attached to the rear plastic "bumper", and not anything underneath it. If you pull the rear plastic "bumper" off, that step pad will come with it. It's almost like one piece. That is, until you separate the step pad from the plastic.