Chrysler Neon I 1994-1999: How to Remove the Bumpers

Model Years:

1994–1999

The first-generation Chrysler Neon (factory index PL) entered production in early 1994 as a 1995 model-year vehicle. Production continued through 1999. Over the course of six years, approximately 2.7 million units were produced worldwide.

Engines:

• SOHC — The standard engine for all trim levels. Power output: 132 hp at 6,000 rpm, torque: 175 N·m at 5,000 rpm.
• DOHC — The sportier version, introduced in 1995. Power output: 150 hp at 6,500 rpm, torque: 180 N·m.
• 2.4-liter DOHC — A 2.4 L engine sourced from the Dodge Stratus. Power output: 140 hp, but with higher torque: 210 N·m.

How to Remove the Front Bumper

1. Open the hood.
2. Under the hood, unscrew the screws and remove the radiator grille.
3. For easier access, turn the wheels to one side.
4. In the wheel arches, unscrew four screws on the left side and four on the right side that secure the side sections of the bumper.
5. From the engine bay side, unscrew the nuts that attach the bumper reinforcement bar to the body.
6. With an assistant, release the bumper from the guide rails in the fenders and pull it forward (watch out for wiring).
7. Disconnect any electrical connectors (if equipped).

How to Remove the Rear Bumper

1. Open the trunk lid.
2. Inside the trunk opening, unscrew the six screws that secure the upper section of the rear bumper.
3. In the wheel arches, unscrew three screws on the left side and three on the right side that secure the sides of the bumper.
4. Unscrew the two screws from the underbody side (these are screwed in from the bottom upward).
5. With an assistant, pull the bumper off toward the rear and disconnect any electrical connectors.

Interesting Facts:

• The Neon I body had a drag coefficient of Cx = 0.33 — an excellent figure for the mid-1990s. The "bubble" shape was born out of the need to accommodate a tall driver while keeping the hood line low.
• The SOHC engine featured an economical mode. Under partial loads, the engine control unit leaned out the air-fuel mixture to 17:1, allowing fuel consumption as low as 6.5 L/100 km.
• The Neon ACR is not an options package but a homologation special. ACR (American Club Racer) was created specifically for amateur SCCA racing. It came with upgraded springs, stiffer shock absorbers, a larger sway bar, four-wheel disc brakes (instead of rear drums), and a mandatory DOHC engine.
• In 1996, the Neon became the first in its class to offer a cabin air filter with activated charcoal — an option that was considered premium at the time.

Advantages:

• With an overall length of 4,360 mm, the wheelbase measured 2,640 mm — longer than that of the first-generation Ford Focus. Three adults could sit in the rear without feeling cramped.
• The front suspension with control arms and the rear torsion-beam axle, combined with gas-filled shock absorbers, provided stable straight-line tracking on the highway and predictable oversteer in corners.
• The cast-iron engine block and forged steel crankshaft gave a service life of 280,000–320,000 km before major overhaul, provided oil was changed on time (interval: every 7,500 km).
• Low cost of spare parts (still the case in the US and Europe).

Disadvantages:

• Cylinder head (especially DOHC). On DOHC engines, the head gasket often failed due to the thin wall between cylinders.
• Corrosion of rear wheel arches. The factory anti-corrosion coating was thin, and in regions where roads are salted, the arches would rust within 5–6 years.
• Automatic transmission. The 3-speed 31TH is reliable, but it tends to overheat in heavy traffic. Torque converter failure is a common issue after 150,000 km.
• Sound insulation is minimal: at 120 km/h, interior noise levels reach 74 dB, which can be tiring.
• The dashboard would squeak in freezing temperatures, and the air conditioning buttons would lose their markings within just two years.