Bra installation

[Gobird]

Re: Bra installation

Side marker light.

[DaiUyTed]

Re: Bra installation

I have put mine on and off a few times and, while it does take some strength and finess, practice makes it easier. There are three pieces of advice I have...
...3) As already mentioned, putting on the wheel well clips is probably the hardest, especially the lower ones. I loosen the very small screws holding on the plastic inner wheel well liner to the fender so that there is more room for the clip to slide on to the lip of the fender. Only loosen the screws just enough for some extra room, not enough to completely disconnect the liner. Them tighten them up a little when the clip is on. Reverse to remove the bra. Be careful not to overtighten the screws, you don't want to strip them out of the plastic.

I just installed a "Le Bra". This tip alone is probably what made the difference between going through the ordeal, or giving up in frustration.
Muchas gracias!
I'll use the bra only during "love bug" seasons.

[Vintage Merlot]

Re: Bra installation

I used the bra once in its original design and felt like I was driving around with a Jimmy Durante nose on Vintage Merlot....Then made a dramatic mod to the bra that I now call the Paris Hilton Strapless Sport Bra as seen in my gallery.. It is much more sleek and still holds up Vintage Merlot's cleavage.

[Dizzbe]

Re: Bra installation

Thanks all - I'll try it again on Sat. Spence the photos helped!

[HKS]

Re: Bra installation

My opinion is just the opposite. I would rather use the a vinyl bra than to have permanent clear piece that shows a dirt line and or a wax line when viewed up close.

During the 5 years that I have been using the vinyl bra sold by Ford I have never experienced wind buff marks or mildew. That said I must tell you that I only put the front end cover on during road trips. In and around town I do not use it.

I do believe uneven paint fade, is a possibility if the bra is on all the time.

Same here. I only use it on long road trips. I have the aftermarket bra because of the license plate issue. Did not know about the cutout in the Ford bra. However I never had any hooks break off.


HKS

[Dizzbe]

Re: Bra installation

Bah dah bing. Got that darn thing on tonight. With lou's steps, spences pics, and the advice of loosening of the screws and leaving it in my suv all day in the sun; it finally went on. Ohand jerry's cussing helped

One thing I did learn - I would never had gotten the top hooks in right. The attachments for the hood liner were covering the holes. I had to loosen them and move them out of the way a bit. Then the new s hooks fit

Car is all ready now for a trip

[RQTBIRD]

Re: Bra installation

Glad to see you got it installed Vickie. Just one more word of advise. Don't try wash your car with it on. I tried down in Johnson City and the thing filled up like a balloon.

[PaulD]

Re: Bra installation

...........3) As already mentioned, putting on the wheel well clips is probably the hardest, especially the lower ones. I loosen the very small screws holding on the plastic inner wheel well liner to the fender so that there is more room for the clip to slide on to the lip of the fender. Only loosen the screws just enough for some extra room, not enough to completely disconnect the liner. Them tighten them up a little when the clip is on. Reverse to remove the bra. Be careful not to overtighten the screws, you don't want to strip them out of the plastic.

As noted earlier, this is a great tip. I liked it so much that I decided to make this a permanent "mod" so I did not need to play with the screws every time I installed the bra. I pulled the two lower screws (7/32 socket) from each wheel well, inserted two ea 1/4" washers for each screw between the fender and the liner and put the screws back in. That gave me an permanent gap increase along that area. It vastly improved the ease for installing those bra clips at the lower edges of the wheel well.
Note...the screws go into a metal clip attached to the liner...not the plastic liner itself.

[steelblue5505]

Re: Bra installation

Paul, thanks for that idea. It is a perfect fix!

See Ya next week.

[birdfan]

Re: Bra installation

Glad I could help with the "small screw" tip. Paul, I like the washer addition. I will have do that to avoid trying to find that small wrench every time (now, where did I put that...).

[captcrunch]

Re: Bra installation

Bought a "new" OEM bra (full front cover, in Ford part parlance) from the local Ford dealer here in San Antonio, but the part was apparently sold to someone before who managed to rip the mesh that is supposed to cover the grille. The Ford dealer parts man said he would be glad to refund my money, but that the part is marked in their system as "obsolete-do not order". The reason I purchased the bra in the first place was to keep bug dings from happening, and even in its current condition, I guess it will do that. I haven't searched for any alternative sources of supply for the bra, so if anybody knows where to get one for a 2002 Bird, I'd appreciate you sharing your knowledge.

On a different note, I met with Cliff (BJHEN here) and eyeballed his no-holes license plate mount; made my own from his design, and all works fine. Thanks again, Cliff.
Mike

[SugarDaddy]

Re: Bra installation

No sense in throwing away a perfectly good bra. The mesh screen can be easily replaced.

If you keep the bra that you bought, get some plastic mesh screen cloth (for re-screening screen doors) at your local hardware store, similar to the mesh cloth in your front end bra. After the original mesh ripped, I had a local upholstery shop remove the old mesh and use it as a pattern to layout/cut the new mesh cloth. Then, they sewed the new mesh cloth onto the back of our bra. Our front end cover now looks and works great. It wasn't too expensive either.

[DaiUyTed]

Re: Bra installation

Le Bra makes one that fits fine. Often on eBay for $80 or so.
But in your case, repair should be economically feasible.

[captcrunch]

Re: Bra installation

Thanks, Jerry. And for Dai Uy Ted, cam on ong.
Mike

[DaiUyTed]

Re: Bra installation

Thanks, Jerry. And for Dai Uy Ted, cam on ong.
Mike

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