2008 Gmc Sierra - How Do I Remove Front Air Deflector?

[hudjohnjen]

I have to replace the front air deflector on my 2008 GMC Sierra (not the extension). How is this best removed? How do you remove the plastic "rivets" and install new ones? Do you have to remove the bumper? or can you remove/install without?

 

Thanks.

[Zembonez]

I have to replace the front air deflector on my 2008 GMC Sierra (not the extension). How is this best removed? How do you remove the plastic "rivets" and install new ones? Do you have to remove the bumper? or can you remove/install without?

 

Thanks.

Are you talking about the lower plastic part that has the fog lamp cutouts? If so, I'd pull the bumper. You have to pull the grille and upper deflector forst. Once that's out of the way, the bumper isn't terribly hard to get to. It's not a five minute job.

[hudjohnjen]

I have to replace the front air deflector on my 2008 GMC Sierra (not the extension). How is this best removed? How do you remove the plastic "rivets" and install new ones? Do you have to remove the bumper? or can you remove/install without?

 

Thanks.

Are you talking about the lower plastic part that has the fog lamp cutouts? If so, I'd pull the bumper. You have to pull the grille and upper deflector forst. Once that's out of the way, the bumper isn't terribly hard to get to. It's not a five minute job.

 

 

 

Yes, that is the part I am referring to. What is the easiest way to remove the plastic rivets?

[mr_bots]

Idk about the 900s, but the 03 Yukon my parents used to have had the instruction for removing it in the manual.

[LawmanSS]

I have to replace the front air deflector on my 2008 GMC Sierra (not the extension). How is this best removed? How do you remove the plastic "rivets" and install new ones? Do you have to remove the bumper? or can you remove/install without?

 

Thanks.

Are you talking about the lower plastic part that has the fog lamp cutouts? If so, I'd pull the bumper. You have to pull the grille and upper deflector forst. Once that's out of the way, the bumper isn't terribly hard to get to. It's not a five minute job.

 

 

 

Yes, that is the part I am referring to. What is the easiest way to remove the plastic rivets?

 

 

The plastic rivets have an inner pin that, when inserted, mushrooms the rivet so it holds. To remove them, use a flat blade screwdriver to pry outward on the center pin until you can grab it with your fingers. Then, pull it out the rest of the way. Once the center pin is fully retracted or completely removed, the remaining part of the rivet will pull out of the hole. When you go to reassemble and reinstall the rivets, take note that the center pins are "keyed" and only go in one way.

 

Also, FWIW, when I did the swap to the slotted bumper and Denali lower valance, I removed the bumper/valance as an assembly...then I separated the two parts. When I put it back together, I installed the bumper first, then the valance. Having done it both ways, I can't say that either way is easier.