Removal/Installation of Rear Bumper

[Lurkin]

dd, perfect, just what I needed. Pics weren't totally necessary, I understood most of what you were describing. BTW, I used the part number that you'd supplied earlier in this post and found one on eBay for $170 shipped, it just arrived yesterday and looks good. Now I just need to get it painted.

Note to others, the eBay seller still had 2 of these left as of last week. If you're interested in getting out from your chrome bumper for a reasonable price (and can't find a trader), look up DblDs part number. This seller doesn't communicate worth a crap, but it did arrive in a reasonable time.

[Lurkin]

Forgot to post back. I received my new bumper, got it painted, and installed it last week. Thanks to dd for identifying the cheaper part number (52151-04907), the install notes, and the list of PITAs. Helped keep me from breaking anything when removing the pads and the bumper cover.

My only comments, besides what dd posted, are on the corner pads. As dd stated there are 2 square headed bolts, but the square head is actually more like a square piece of sheet metal on the head of the threads. This head fits into a slot on the pad and supposedly would keep it from turning when you try to remove the nut.

On my stock 09 bumper, the nuts were a royal PITA to get off as there was some thread locker on these bolts (all four of them), the bolt heads (recall, flat sheet metal) would turn in the slots in the pad when the nuts hit the thread locker. Luckily the thread part tapered off at the end so I just grabbed the very end of the thread with a set of channel-locks, held on for dear life, and was able to get the nuts to turn. Had to do the same thing to get them attached again on the new bumper.

Just to summarize, to change out the bumper cover:
o remove the license plate lights
o remove the lower center pad, 2 bolts underneath and 2 push pins on top (I had trouble getting the pins to release...)
o if tow packaged, remove the two covers and bolts from the hitch to make removing the bumper easier
o remove the top center pad, careful with the 14 attachment "things" (two sets of hands would be helpful to hold the pad up after releasing the "things", and 3 screw-in push pins in the center
o remove the bumper cover, 4 bolts on top and 4 on the bottom
o remove the corner pads, see above
o remove the corner reinforcements
o go backwards to reattach parts and bumper to truck

[SoCaliSnowboarder77]

I kind of like the chrome b/c one night my friend was following me in his BMW M3 and highbeamed me, as if to say move aside and let me lead... so I just floored it and he didn't speed up to catch up... once we got to our destination, he said he blinded himself b/c of the reflection from the chrome bumper. hahaha.

Anyway, great write up! But 'm thinking of putting on black vinyl first to see what it looks like in real life. I like the chrome on my MGM and want to be able to take it off whenever I want.

[Lurkin]

...reminds me of the old joke that ends "No, it's just the reflection off her shoes."

I thought seriously about trying vinyl, but from what I heard, vinyl around sharp contours doesn't work well and since the bumper has that complex curve around the corners.... I was also thinking about it for the mirrors, but same problem as for the bumper.

[DblD]

Originally Posted by Lurkin

Forgot to post back. I received my new bumper, got it painted, and installed it last week.

Let's see some pictures or these Black Back Bumper Beauties.

Here's mine....



dd

[Lurkin]

Originally Posted by DblD

Let's see some pictures or these Black Back Bumper Beauties.

Here's mine....

dd

Well, no pics, mine was painted body color, Barcellona Red, so if you just find a picture a BR Sport you have it!

BTW, I had mine painted by a body shop. I don't have a good history for painting items with positive results

[w8n4mud]

Originally Posted by Lurkin

Just to summarize, to change out the bumper cover:
o remove the license plate lights
o remove the lower center pad, 2 bolts underneath and 2 push pins on top (I had trouble getting the pins to release...)
o if tow packaged, remove the two covers and bolts from the hitch to make removing the bumper easier
o remove the top center pad, careful with the 14 attachment "things" (two sets of hands would be helpful to hold the pad up after releasing the "things", and 3 screw-in push pins in the center
o remove the bumper cover, 4 bolts on top and 4 on the bottom
o remove the corner pads, see above
o remove the corner reinforcements
o go backwards to reattach parts and bumper to truck

A very nice contribution to the thread. Job well done!

[Lurkin]

Originally Posted by w8n4mud

A very nice contribution to the thread. Job well done!

Thanks, but it doesn't stand by itself. If DblD hadn't done all the heavy lifting, I couldn't have summarized it as well, nor saved any money.

Truth be told if someone has a chrome bumper in good condition, is comfortable with doing their own painting and clear coating, then they could change their chrome bumper for a black/color-keyed one for free.

Bumper -$170-190 (depends on shipping)
Paint -$20 (less for black)
Clear -$10
Resell chrome bumper +$200 (Sold mine for $230 locally)
Total $0-$20

Can't beat that kind of deal.

Although I paid to get mine painted.... just know my skills!

[w8n4mud]

I hear you on that one. IMO, better to do a bumper swap. All free except for the labor.