Bumper Cover - Front

Complete removal and installation of the front bumper cover on a 2009 Aston Martin DB9, including grille, fog light, and fender liner access.

Warnings

Tools required

Parts

• Front bumper cover × 1 — Use OEM specification
• Bumper cover clips (replacement set) × 1 — Typically 10-15 per vehicle
• Fender liner push clips × 1 — As needed for damaged clips

Preparation

1. Park vehicle on level ground and engage parking brake.
2. Place wheel chocks behind rear wheels.
3. Disconnect negative battery terminal and wait 5 minutes for airbag system capacitor discharge.
4. Raise front of vehicle using floor jack and support securely on jack stands at manufacturer-specified lift points.
5. Remove both front wheels to access fender liner and bumper mounting points.
6. Photograph or mark sensor and fog light connector positions for reinstallation reference.

Procedure

1. 1

   Remove front grille assembly
   Open the hood. Locate the grille retention clips along the top edge of the grille assembly. Verify the exact number and position of upper grille retention clips against OEM documentation before proceeding. Use a flat-blade screwdriver or trim tool to carefully release each clip by pressing the center tab and lifting upward. The grille assembly tilts forward at the top and lifts away from lower locating tabs. Set aside in a protected area. Note: Locate the grille retention clips along the top edge of the grille assembly and release each one; verify the exact count against factory documentation for this vehicle.
2. 2

   Disconnect fog light wiring harnesses
   If equipped, access any front bumper-mounted lamp or fog light assemblies; verify presence and location against factory documentation for this specific vehicle before proceeding. Locate the electrical connectors behind each fog light housing. Press the locking tab on each connector and pull straight back to disconnect. Route the harnesses clear of the bumper cover to prevent snagging during removal. Note: Test fog lights for proper operation. Note: Test fog lights for proper on/off operation.
3. 3

   Disconnect park distance control (PDC) sensors
   Locate the PDC sensor wiring connectors behind the bumper cover. Confirm the exact number and position of front PDC sensors against OEM documentation; disconnect each by pressing its locking tab and pulling to release. Each connector has a locking tab; press and pull to disconnect. Allow connectors to hang free without tension on the wiring. Note: If the vehicle is equipped with front park distance control, locate the PDC sensor wiring connectors behind the bumper cover and disconnect them. Verify the actual number and positions of fitted sensors against this vehicle's configuration before disconnecting. Note: Verify the exact count and position of front PDC sensors against factory documentation for this vehicle before disconnecting; if equipped, disconnect each sensor connector.
4. 4

   Remove fender liner fasteners
   Working through the wheel wells, locate the fender liner sections that overlap the bumper cover. Remove the Torx screws securing the front edge of each fender liner to the bumper cover mounting area. Verify the number of fender liner fasteners per side against OEM documentation, then remove the Torx screws securing the front edge of each fender liner to the bumper cover mounting area. Pull the liner back slightly to access the bumper side mounting points. Note: Remove the Torx screws securing the front edge of each fender liner to the bumper cover mounting area; verify the exact count per side against factory documentation.
   Torque spec

   Fender Liner Screws3 Nm (2 lb-ft)
5. 5

   Remove lower bumper cover fasteners
   From underneath the vehicle, locate the lower bumper cover mounting fasteners. Remove the Torx fasteners along the lower edge of the bumper cover where it meets the undertray. Verify the number of lower edge fasteners against OEM documentation, then remove all Torx fasteners along the bottom edge of the bumper cover where it meets the undertray. Remove these completely and set aside. Note: Remove the Torx fasteners along the lower edge of the bumper cover where it meets the undertray; verify the exact count against factory documentation.
6. 6

   Remove side bumper mounting bolts
   Through the wheel well openings, locate the side mounting bolts that secure the bumper cover to the fender and chassis. Verify the number and fastener type/size of the side mounting bolts per side against OEM documentation before removal, then remove all side mounting bolts completely. Remove all side mounting bolts completely. Note: Locate the side mounting bolts that secure the bumper cover to the fender and chassis; verify the exact count and fastener size per side against factory documentation before removal.
   Torque spec

   Bumper Cover Bolts10 Nm (7 lb-ft)
7. 7

   Remove upper bumper mounting fasteners
   From the engine bay, locate the upper mounting fasteners along the top edge of the bumper cover behind where the grille was mounted. Remove the Torx fasteners securing the bumper cover to the upper radiator support area. Verify the number of upper mounting fasteners along the radiator support against OEM documentation, then remove the Torx fasteners securing the bumper cover to the upper radiator support area. Note: Remove the Torx fasteners securing the bumper cover to the upper radiator support area; verify the exact count against factory documentation.
   Torque spec

   Bumper Cover Bolts10 Nm (7 lb-ft)
8. 8

   Release bumper cover clips and remove cover
   With all fasteners removed, carefully pull the bumper cover forward at both corners simultaneously. The cover is retained by plastic locating clips along the fender edges. Apply steady, even pressure to release these clips. Support the center of the bumper cover as it releases to prevent it from dropping. Have an assistant support the opposite end. Lift the cover clear of the vehicle and place on a padded surface with painted side facing up. Note: The front bumper cover is a molded composite/thermoplastic panel and can be damaged or distorted if mishandled. Support the cover at multiple points during removal to prevent damage.
9. 9

   Inspect mounting points and clips
   Examine all mounting points on the vehicle for damage or broken clips. Check the bumper cover mounting brackets on the chassis for proper alignment. Inspect the locating clips on the bumper cover itself; replace any broken or deformed clips. Clean mounting surfaces of debris and old sealant if present.
10. 10

    Install replacement bumper cover
    Position the new or repaired bumper cover in front of the vehicle with an assistant supporting one end. Align the cover with the fender edges and guide the locating clips into their mounting points. Press firmly at the clip locations until each clip seats with an audible snap. Ensure the cover is seated evenly across its width before installing fasteners.
11. 11

    Install upper mounting fasteners
    From the engine bay, install the upper mounting fasteners along the radiator support rail. Start all upper fasteners by hand, then torque to OEM specification in a center-outward pattern to ensure even seating of the bumper cover against the mounting surface. Confirm fastener count and torque value against OEM documentation.
    Torque spec

    Bumper Cover Bolts10 Nm (7 lb-ft)
12. 12

    Install side mounting bolts
    Through the wheel well openings, install the side mounting bolts that secure the bumper cover to the fender and chassis; confirm the exact count per side against OEM documentation. Start all bolts by hand to ensure proper thread engagement, then torque to specification.
    Torque spec

    Bumper Cover Bolts10 Nm (7 lb-ft)
13. 13

    Install lower bumper fasteners
    From underneath, install the lower edge fasteners along the bottom of the bumper cover; confirm the exact count against OEM documentation. Torque to specification working from the center outward to ensure even pressure distribution.
    Torque spec

    Bumper Cover Bolts10 Nm (7 lb-ft)
14. 14

    Reinstall fender liner fasteners
    Pull the fender liners back into position overlapping the bumper cover edge. Install the Torx screws securing each fender liner to the bumper mounting area; confirm the exact count per side against OEM documentation. Torque to specification.
    Torque spec

    Fender Liner Screws3 Nm (2 lb-ft)
15. 15

    Reconnect PDC sensors and fog lights
    Reconnect all PDC sensor connectors (if equipped), ensuring each locks with an audible click; confirm the exact count against OEM documentation. Reconnect both fog light wiring harnesses, pressing until the locking tabs engage. Verify no wiring is pinched or under tension.
16. 16

    Reinstall grille assembly
    Position the grille assembly with lower tabs aligned to their receptacles. Press the grille into position, seating the lower tabs first. Press firmly along the top edge to engage all upper retention clips, confirming the clip count against OEM documentation. Verify the grille is flush and evenly seated across its entire perimeter.
    Torque spec

    Grille Clips5 Nm (4 lb-ft)

Reassembly

1. Reinstall both front wheels and torque lug nuts to manufacturer specification in a star pattern.
2. Lower vehicle from jack stands and remove supports.
3. Reconnect negative battery terminal.
4. Close hood and verify all panel gaps are even and consistent with factory alignment.

Verification

• Visually inspect all panel gaps between bumper cover, fenders, and hood for uniformity (should be 4-6mm consistently).
• Test fog lights for proper operation (both low and high beam modes if equipped with adaptive lighting).
• Test park distance control system by engaging reverse and verifying sensor activation and warning tones at appropriate distances.
• Gently press on various points of the bumper cover to confirm all mounting points are secure with no flexing or loose areas.
• Drive vehicle at low speed and verify no rattles, vibrations, or airflow noise from bumper area.

More procedures for this vehicle