Bumper Impact Strip Installation
Thread Starter
Senior Member
Joined: Apr 2002
Posts: 486
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From: Music City
2010 E63 AMG, 2000 E430 Sport, Dodge Charger SRT8
Bumper Impact Strip Installation
OK boyz & girlz, I just bit the bullet and dropped about $250 on a pair of pre-painted "European" front bumper impact strips (without side marker lights).
Can anyone out there clue me in on the proper installation of these things?
It is my understanding that they snap in. Key thing is how to easily/safely get the old strips out?
By the way, thanks to Mark Cummins for all his info.
Can anyone out there clue me in on the proper installation of these things?
It is my understanding that they snap in. Key thing is how to easily/safely get the old strips out?
By the way, thanks to Mark Cummins for all his info.
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Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 3,861
Likes: 3
From: Jacksonville Florida
209/W210 Estate /W211 modded by MBENZNL
Mike, To Replace the Impact inserts ...
1 Remove the USA Amber side marker by Prying it out from the rear using a SOFT WEDGE/Plastic Glass shop stick
2 Remove the Bulb (For the Side Marker) Install a RESISTOR in line to avoid the Bulb check lite..
3 Pry out the Impact inserts from the Side First(Using a Wedge/Soft Plastic Glass Shop stick) @ the Side Marker Opening..Look Thru the opening and you will see it is Snapped in
So Pry it out Slow and It will come off..
4Install your EURO Impacts by Fitting them on the bumper and Press them in its a snap on fit!
1 Remove the USA Amber side marker by Prying it out from the rear using a SOFT WEDGE/Plastic Glass shop stick
2 Remove the Bulb (For the Side Marker) Install a RESISTOR in line to avoid the Bulb check lite..
3 Pry out the Impact inserts from the Side First(Using a Wedge/Soft Plastic Glass Shop stick) @ the Side Marker Opening..Look Thru the opening and you will see it is Snapped in
So Pry it out Slow and It will come off..
4Install your EURO Impacts by Fitting them on the bumper and Press them in its a snap on fit!
Thread Starter
Senior Member
Joined: Apr 2002
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From: Music City
2010 E63 AMG, 2000 E430 Sport, Dodge Charger SRT8
Sporty,
Yep, will do. Gotta find one of those tools first. May just let my body shop do it for $34 while I watch. Will keep you posted.
MB
Yep, will do. Gotta find one of those tools first. May just let my body shop do it for $34 while I watch. Will keep you posted.
MB
Thread Starter
Senior Member
Joined: Apr 2002
Posts: 486
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From: Music City
2010 E63 AMG, 2000 E430 Sport, Dodge Charger SRT8
They are charging me for one hour @$34. It is my understanding that it takes about 10-15 minutes to snap them out and pop the new ones in. The tough part is popping the old one out (having the proper tool).
I have not received them yet. Will post pix of install if possible. Will definitely post pix of "after" pictures.
I have not received them yet. Will post pix of install if possible. Will definitely post pix of "after" pictures.
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From: Northern Virginia
05 CLK500; 07 Volvo XC90
my guy in vienna (silver star motor) took around 5 minutes to do the job. i didn't even get a chance to see the entire operation (by the time i get back there..it was all done). it was so easy, peter fuchs (the owner) didn't even charge me a cent.
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Thread Starter
Senior Member
Joined: Apr 2002
Posts: 486
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From: Music City
2010 E63 AMG, 2000 E430 Sport, Dodge Charger SRT8
To the General
Yep, I know it has got to be super EZ, just getting the right tool to pop out the old strips with no damage is the hard part. I am still looking-want to install them myself if possible.
Did you tape up your lights or paint the bulbs in the side markers?
Thanks,
Did you tape up your lights or paint the bulbs in the side markers?
Thanks,
Thread Starter
Senior Member
Joined: Apr 2002
Posts: 486
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From: Music City
2010 E63 AMG, 2000 E430 Sport, Dodge Charger SRT8
Tool
I stopped in at an auto glass shop today to ask about the "soft plastic wedge" tool and they thought I was crazy. Looked thru their tool catalogs and even called their tool jobber. Never heard of it.
They said it sounded like I needed a "pop rivet tool" to remove the bumper inserts.
Does anyone out there know what type of tool is used to safely pop out the bumper inserts?
Inserts will arrive in about 2 weeks. May just let my body shop install for $34.
They said it sounded like I needed a "pop rivet tool" to remove the bumper inserts.
Does anyone out there know what type of tool is used to safely pop out the bumper inserts?
Inserts will arrive in about 2 weeks. May just let my body shop install for $34.
Junior Member
Joined: Feb 2002
Posts: 17
Likes: 1
From: Richmond VA
2002 E320 Special Edition
Glass tool
I have seen the glass shop tool mentioned in this thread. Its about the length of a pencil. I'll try to post a picture. Its primarily used to manipulate winshield gaskets during installation. Talk to an old fashion glass shop that remembers when butyl caulk was used with rubber gaskets to seal windshields.
Junior Member
Joined: Feb 2002
Posts: 17
Likes: 1
From: Richmond VA
2002 E320 Special Edition
Glass tool
MIKEY430,
I got the glass tool from a Auto glass shop in West Palm Beach about 7 years ago. I had to install a windshield in a '68 Mustang and I was using butyl caulk. It has been very useful for interior work removing plastic panels etc.
You probably tried all the auto glass shops in town, but have you tried a hardware store that does custom glass work ? Like a place that cuts glass and mirrors, and replaces window panes probably uses this tool.
You could take a thick piece of hard rubber and cut it to the shape of this plastic tool. The rubber would have to be stiff/rigid enough so as not to flex when used to pry something open.
I got the glass tool from a Auto glass shop in West Palm Beach about 7 years ago. I had to install a windshield in a '68 Mustang and I was using butyl caulk. It has been very useful for interior work removing plastic panels etc.
You probably tried all the auto glass shops in town, but have you tried a hardware store that does custom glass work ? Like a place that cuts glass and mirrors, and replaces window panes probably uses this tool.
You could take a thick piece of hard rubber and cut it to the shape of this plastic tool. The rubber would have to be stiff/rigid enough so as not to flex when used to pry something open.
Junior Member
Joined: Feb 2002
Posts: 17
Likes: 1
From: Richmond VA
2002 E320 Special Edition
TOOL
Member
Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 207
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From: California
1997 E420, 1983 300D
where did you pick those bumper strips up? I'd like to replace my front strip since some clever past owner ran their licence plate mounting screws right through it. I've taken off my front plate and now stare at 4 holes in the bumper. Maybe it would be easier to fill them and touch up the paint?
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Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 3,861
Likes: 3
From: Jacksonville Florida
209/W210 Estate /W211 modded by MBENZNL
Bumper Impact Inserts
Originally posted by galleryvw
where did you pick those bumper strips up? I'd like to replace my front strip since some clever past owner ran their licence plate mounting screws right through it. I've taken off my front plate and now stare at 4 holes in the bumper. Maybe it would be easier to fill them and touch up the paint?
where did you pick those bumper strips up? I'd like to replace my front strip since some clever past owner ran their licence plate mounting screws right through it. I've taken off my front plate and now stare at 4 holes in the bumper. Maybe it would be easier to fill them and touch up the paint?
They come prepainted and look so much better than the USA Impact inserts..I Bought them from Steve for both the W210 and the W203
