Hey folks,

I recently purchased an AP2 OEM front lip from Handa - cost was about 370 including shipping. Before that, I had purchased a replica model from Ebay that was made from urethane.

I noticed right off the bat that the replica lip had minor fitment issues, needed to be sanded/smoothed and paint matched, and holes needed to be drilled for install.

I quickly realized that doing all that would probably end up costing more than the pre-painted OEM. The install instruction appeared simple enough - as I have a several jacks to raise the car necessary for install and only rudimentary tools are necessary for bolting it on.

However, my buddy is a mechanic and after looking at the install instructions told me "don't do it yourself, you will screw it up." When asked why he said that I needed to remove the front bumper for a proper install. So I took it to a body shop and was quoted $100, and you guessed it - when asked why it was so costly, the shop guy told me they needed to remove the front bumper.

So my question is - for those who have experience here - does the front bumper need to be removed for install? Or could I save the costs and install it myself without removing the front bumper. Appreciate your help.

 

Not at all. You can install it in less than 15 minutes. I didn't even take the backing off the double sided tape on mine because it was such a precise fit. That being said, to take it to a shop, I think $100 is fair. It seems reasonable that they would charge an hours worth of labor by the time it was all said and done.

If you have any bit of mechanical knowledge you should be able to do it easily. In no way, shape, or form does the bumper have to come off. It doesn't even say to take it off in the instructions.

 

thanks, that's what I thought as well. I think I'll go with the shop since 100 is fair.

 

I just installed my OEM lip yesterday. The front bumper does not need to be taken off but it would probably make it easier. I jacked up the front of my car and with the help of my friend had it on within 20 minutes - perfect fit.

 

Please don't take it to a shop. 100 dollars man? If you good the installation guide from Honda (assuming your lip didn't come w one) you'll find that you need all of 3 hand tools and 30 minutes. That's a waste of money brother. 100 is what it takes for them to actually paint your lip (a 2-3 day process) that's hardly comparable to the 30 minute installation of a front lip which should bolt right up from the factory.