Tools needed to remove a '71 240Z rear bumper

[johnny haywire]

Amigos,

I've got a line a set of front and rear bumpers from a '71 240Z (to retrofit on my '78 280Z) and the gent also offered to sell me the steering wheel. I'm very, very excited about this. I'm going to head out there on Sunday, but it is about an hour away from where I live, so I wanted to make sure I am bringing the right tools.

The front bumper has been removed already, but I will need to pull the steering wheel (already did the research on that) and the rear bumper.

Here's my planned tool kit for the bumper removal:

Metric socket set up to about 20mm with a breaker bar

Adjustable wrenches and channel locks

PB Blaster

Propane torch

An assortment of hammers (which I hope I don't have to use)

Hacksaw (in case I just end up cutting the brackets off, which will not be fun, but I'm not sure if I'll have electricity for sawzall)

I'd ideally like to get the brackets as well, just in case I can tweak and reuse them, but since it's a Midwestern car and I haven't seen it, I'm going to assume rusty nuts and bolts, though the seller says that the bumpers are still quite nice.

Are there any tools that I am leaving out here?

Thanks in advance for any tips!

- Paul

[Bonzi Lon]

Take a small wire brush to the back side of the bolts, either before or after PB Blaster, it helps. IIRC only a wrench would fit between the bumper and bracket. The brackets are odd shaped so try to save them.

Not on your tool list but needed / should have is a 3-arm wheel puller.

Bonzi Lon

[d240zx2]

Not a difficult task. I just removed my rear bumper and steering wheel yesterday. IIRC, the bumper bolts are 14mm, the steering wheel requires a 23mm. You'll need to remove the panel on passenger side under the gas filler to gain better access to the right side bumper bolts.

Frank

[johnny haywire]

Thanks a lot, guys. Definitely going to bring a wire brush along, and wrenches (how I left those off the list, i do not know). I did manage to grab a 3-arm puller kit from the local Advance Auto ($100 deposit, but full refund upon return).

I'm guessing the rear passenger side interior panel on a 240 is as much of a PITA as removing the driver's side rear panel on a 280Z?

Thanks also for the tip on the bolt sizes.

Are either of you guys looking for any 240Z interior bits? I can try and grab them as well while I'm out there. His prices seem pretty reasonable, however, I haven't seen the car yet. He did say the exterior was getting rusty.

Thanks again!

[d240zx2]

The panel needing removal is under the filler in the wheel well, not in the interior. Sorry for the confusion.

[johnny haywire]

Thanks for the clarification on that. I'll follow up on this post and let you know how it goes. I've got my tool bags ready to roll for tomorrow.

[johnny haywire]

After filling the 4Runner with an obscene amount of tools, all I ended up using was some PB Blaster, a couple of sockets and one wrench. I was amazed at how easy the wheel came off (the puller was unnecessary, it just slid right off) and the bumpers didn't take long, either. The access panel was long gone on the donor car.

Here are a couple of photos of the haul:

The rear is missing the bumperettes and the rubbers are pretty much shot, but I think they'll clean up pretty well.

The donor car didn't have much left on it, but the turning signal/headlamp controls were still there, as were the tach and speedo. All the glass looked pretty nice, as well, if anyone is on the hunt for those parts. I believe it was a 1972 240z.

Thanks again for all the advice, guys.