TQC Rear Bumper Removal

["Mike Hopton" <mike@genesis-microchip.on.ca>]

     Thanks for the tip on getting the rear lights out. I used a wide bladed 
     screw driver to get them started and had them out in seconds, you would 
     probably want to use a hair dryer to soften the putty if its cold.
     
     Just one remaining hurdle, before the car is completely stripped down. How 
     do I get the rear plastic bumper off? I have removed the four bolts and 
     center section, removed the screws from around the bottom of the rear wheel 
     arches and all the screws securing the bottom of the plastic bumper to the 
     metal lip at the back of the car, note: the car has the North American 
     style bumpers.
     
     The bumper only seems to be held on now by two reinforced metal strips one 
     on the left, and one on the right just back from the wheel arch. The strips 
     are attached by three studs, they look like bolts but the heads are round. 
     I didn't spend too much time trying to figure it out (again the Bentley had 
     nothing to say on the subject) but this morning on the way to work I was 
     thinking maybe I can get to them from inside the boot (trunk)? 
     
     Maybe the studs don't connect to the body and I should just use the the 
     wide bladed screw driver approach?
     
     Thanks and regards, Mike
     
     p.s. Dan, it seems strange that the MC or slave cylinder would fail so soon 
      after the engine swap, coincidence - I think not. I hope it's just an air 
     lock and not the slave cylinder.