I was trying to put some plate plugs into the front bumper when the entire piece that holds the bolt fell into the bumper. Is there an easy way to get it out or will I have to take off the whole bumper?

 

-Pull the bumper
-reinstall the two plates
​​​​​​-cover both plates with a few layers of heavy duty duct tape, they will never fall again.

 

Resurrecting this because I gave it a shot w/o removing the bumper cover.

The female thread piece had fallen into the bumper. I could see it. With a magnet, I pulled it up to to line up with the holes. Threaded a M6 bolt into one side, removed the magnet, threaded another M6 bolt into the other side. Then I tried to gently pull it into place. This got it seated in the steel frame member behind the bumper cover. Unfortunately, it seems like it would require too much force to pull it any further. If I could keep tightening the bolts against metal that would pull them in all the way but unfortunately, the plastic bumper cover is the leverage point so that's not possible. I really don't want to take the bumper cover off so will see about extending the pins on the plastic cap that covers the holes to see if that works.

The good news is that when this thing falls in there, it can't really go anywhere.

 

Would love to see photos. My detail guy pulled my front license bracket and, of course, the bolts (or whatever they are) fell inside. I've been using a nylon trim thingie to retain the bracket. Goes in the hole and then expands inside the cavity. Been working for a couple of years but ain't right.

-- Chuck