AP2 OEM Lip - tabs necessary?
 

Hey! So I decided to tackle putting on the OEM front lip - found all of the screws/bolts to take off the bumper, realized the front plastic under protector was also attached to the bumper via tabs, got those off, err, broke a couple of them - didn't have the right tool. Either way, the lip fits perfectly, bumper back on perfectly, *most* of the screws connecting bumper to underbody no issues...

do I really need to go get the 2-3 tabs and make sure those are in as well? seems superfluous at this point...

Probably not but better to be safe and cough up the few bucks to get a bag of tabs. You'd have some extra the next time they break.

Another argument is if Honda engineers put the tabs there then it might be a good idea to put them back in,

No, you're fine. Just zip tie it on in those places for the time being.

Next time you're ordering maintenance parts, just remember to order them then, but don't pay the shipping costs just for that.

I bought a bag of like 150, have only used like 3.

If it's the same hardware that keeps the bumper/splash shields, look at Modifry's page. He sells a bunch for much cheaper than OEM, but fit just as well, if not better.

When I took my bumper off to polish my headlights, I bought a few extra knowing that everything is so old and prone to break.

It just felt satisfying knowing everything was all buttoned up.

I've picked up an OEM lip to put on my car. Is it necessary to remove bumper to properly install one?

you'll have a hard time reaching under the bumper to secure the bolts and remove tabs. technically you can do it if you can crawl under or lift, but it's much easier taking the bumper off for 30 mins

It's not hard if you jack the car up enough to get comfortably under it. I did mine in the street with some ramps which was awful. Use jackstands.

No. I did mine with the car resting on ramps.

I recently bought a jack and some stands , so I'll go that route. Thanks.