How to Install a Bumper Cover on a Mazda Protege

Bumper covers play an important role in completing the look of your vehicle. Rather than have the functional metallic bumper visible, car manufacturers mold plastic or fiberglass as an extension of the car and fit it over the bumper. Most people view a car's bumper cover as the bumper itself but the cover is much softer. If your Mazda Protege bumper cover has been cracked, scratched or needs an update, installing a new one is a viable do-it-yourself project as it is done with basic hand tools.

Instructions

1

Locate the bumper cover brackets on the left and right side of the Protege. Find them just below the headlight toward the outer edge of the car.

2

Work on the left bracket first. Spread the curved side of the bumper cover to attach the hook in the cover panel to the bracket. Press the bumper cover firmly until you hear the connection snap securely. Repeat with the right hook and bracket.

3

Determine the socket wrench size of the center bolt and then place the bit on the wrench. Insert the center bolt into the hole in the middle of the bumper cover grill. Screw the bolt into the chassis of the car with your hand as far as possible and then use the socket wrench to tighten.

4

Insert the two screws on the right side of the bumper cover. The first screw fits on the base of the bumper, just below the bend of the right headlight. The second screw fits to the far right of the headlight. Tighten the screws with the Philips screw driver.

5

Insert the bumper fastener behind the right headlight. Press it firmly until the plastic snaps in place. Use a hand tool to push the plastic clip in place if necessary.