I understood. Questions about the best method of cutting plastic.

Hey guys, I wish there was a regional forum, to see if there was anyone in El Paso TX who also wanted to install a problem, have an install ‘party’. Ha ha But doubt anyone here lives in this area. Anyway, it’s been 115F lately and the garage is at 100F+, so you might have to wait a while to do it. But even though I’ve installed many shocks in the past, I’m not looking forward to doing the bumper removal. I am very concerned about breaking a dreaded tab, as they are not really designed to be removed. And instead of designing the installation to sacrifice the free black plastic part where the bumper attaches, what is sacrificed is the dreaded bumper, which is very expensive, not to mention having to be painted. Oh good. So you want help with that step, also to avoid scratching the paint. I would call my wife, or one of my daughters if necessary, but I much preferred someone with bad experience.

Anyway, the reason for my thread is what is the least bad method to cut the part? By the way, I will NOT follow the template, so it will be much harder for me, since I want to make the smallest possible cut, meaning the “square” barely needed for the 2″ connector to come out, and then just cut 1 long side, where I would insert the pin, but a much shorter side on the (right) other side, no longer able to install the “square” on the other side. Visible from the back. Or minimal it was. And also that the part is less weak, especially on the right side where there’s a post. So what I’m going to do is reinstall the bumper and everything so I can use the OB. And I’m going to take my time cutting the part down little by little to the way I want it. Then just push it in place.

I already have a Dremel and was thinking of getting one of those cheap hot knives ($18) which I think I’d need for the edges since it’s hard to make curves with the Dremel. But you want to hear if there are better ideas before spending money on unnecessary tools. Thanks guys.