Bumpers-replacement

[Johnwindwood]

Hi Guys

Both bumpers on our car have seen FAR better days. A while ago, I bought an NOS rear bumper and a later rubberised front bumper. (Our front is that strange one year only resin type that can't be repaired)
Just had them both painted so now time to swap.

The rear looks straightforward, apart from the two bolts that are in the boot, which supposedly go into captive nuts-the replacement bumper doesn't have these-will I need to transfer them from the old one?

The front however I'm finding confusing. How do I release the sides (Spoiler part)? From inside the light pods or underneath? Also, what fixings can I expect to find under the sidelight units?

Thanks for any advice.

[Johnwindwood]

No-one ?

Need advice......

[Pete Boole]

It's so long since I dismantled my Excel I'm struggling to remember . I'm pretty sure that if you remove the headlight pods you'll find a row of fixings down each side holding the bumper on at the side - mine were really rusty and needed drilling out. Behind the side lights there is very little - probably a small bolt/self tapper going into the main shell behind. You've found the big bolt behind the number plate presumably?

Pete

[AndyC]

Same here for me, removed one bumper on Lola that must be 15 years ago, and the more recent was perhaps 8 years ago.
I recall the hollow bolt of the lamps where wire runs through, and IIRC the indicator / sidelight being bolted to the bumper before the bumper is fitted, so nothing behind it.

[Hawaiis0]

Sorry John never done it. Parts manual doesnt show much either

[ianhateswork]

From the service notes. short version.

remove number plate, disconnect headlights and side/flasher unit, and remove...........2 m6 bolts on my sidelight.
from inside the pod, (which may need removing), undo the 2-3 self tappers holding bumper to body, its a small ledge on the side.
drill out the pop rivet securing the rear edge of the spoiler inside the wheelarch.
remove the m8 or self tapper that was behind the side/flash unit.
release the central mounting bolt that was behind the number plate.
It should now come off
good luck
ian.

[Johnwindwood]

Thanks guys, it's a bit clearer now.
I've managed to work out that at the rear I need "jacknuts" for the outer fixings because it is a new bumper-those I've ordered.
The front does seem pretty straightforward, but I'm still confused about the threaded holes behind the sidelight units-presuming that bolts run into them from inside the nose.
Going to investigate next week......

[amarshall]

Thanks guys, it's a bit clearer now.
I've managed to work out that at the rear I need "jacknuts" for the outer fixings because it is a new bumper-those I've ordered.
The front does seem pretty straightforward, but I'm still confused about the threaded holes behind the sidelight units-presuming that bolts run into them from inside the nose.
Going to investigate next week......

Don't you dare. That car has an important event to attend.

[Pete Boole]

Go on John - I dare you!!

Pete

[Hawaiis0]

I'm on standby. Double liney dare.

[DavidOliver]

John, while taking the rear bumper off, which requires drilling out a row of rivets, check the fuel tank breather pipe on it´s route around the boot. See previous posts on this. Dead easy to replace with the bumper off.

Dave the cog.

[Johnwindwood]

I love that you guys think I have ANY choice on the matter!
This is not my car, and the bumpers must be done by the NEC. I'm just the guy who has to do it.......

(Did the breather pipe already-it now exits near the diff.)

[Johnwindwood]

Well, did the front bumper. Original was hard GRP and I replaced it with the later rubber type. The only differences are:

1. The bolt size for the two front mountings behind the sidelights. Original was M6, later are M10
2. I didn't realise that the later cars have a metal angle strip to support the bumper top edge. Our car is too early to have one so need to try to source one of those.

Looks MUCH better with new light lenses and grille mesh!

Going to leave fitting the rear until after the NEC show as not wanting to tempt fate!

[Alan_M]

Looks MUCH better with new light lenses and grille mesh!

What did you use for the grille, as mine is falling apart.

[Johnwindwood]

Looks MUCH better with new light lenses and grille mesh!

What did you use for the grille, as mine is falling apart.

We bought some galvanised mesh off eBay-cost about a tenner and cut it to size. Fitted with stainless screws and new spire clips.