stressticles

I'm fitting a tow bar / hitch to my 04 W211 Estate but am struggling to remove the bumper. The saloon is similar.

So far I've removed:

2 x ↓ vertical 10mm bolts inside L side panel
2 x ↓ vertical 10mm bolts inside R side panel
2 x ← horizontal 16mm nuts on inside of back panel R side
2 x ← horizontal 16mm nuts on inside of back panel L side
2 x horzintal straps extending between bumper rear lower edge towards fuel tank area

What needs to be removed on the outside of the vehicle on each side? If you peel back the wheelarch lining you can see a ↑ vertical bolt at the top (by the body join) but can't figure what happens down the bottom or the lower side edges. There appears to be a series of ↑ screws along the bottom side edges with ▲ sockets.

Also does the cover come off without the metal bar inside or do I have to undo:

2 x → horizontal 16mm nuts on outside of back panel R side
2 x → horizontal 16mm nuts on outside of back panel L side

These 4 nuts seem a nightmare to access as the exhaust on both sides prevents you getting any tools onto the nuts.

Any help would be appreciated. ☺

konigstiger

PM your email address I will send instruction sheet.

stressticles

Thanks Konigstiger.

It's actually very easy. Here's how to do it:

Loosen bootlining around the rear


Remove:
On S211 Estates:

1 x ← horizontal 10mm nut on inside below L + R lights

On W211 saloons:

6 x ← horizontal 10mm nuts along inside of below boot lower lip

On all:

2 x ↓ vertical 10mm bolts inside L + R side panel (ie below fuel filler on R side)
2 x ↑ vertical 10mm bolts holding horzintal straps extending between bumper rear lower edge towards fuel tank
1 x ← horizontal 10mm nut on rear lower inside of L + R wheel arch lining
1 x pull-out stud peg below above nut on L + R sides
1 x ↑ 10mm vertical bolt at the top inside the L + R wheel arch lining (by the forward end of the horizontal body/bumper join) you have to pull out the lining a bit at the top to access these and use a torch.

The bumper cover is now free to come off without the bar.

Then, to remove the bumper bar inside:

2 x ← horizontal 16mm nuts on inside of back panel L + R sides
2 x ← horizontal 16mm nuts on underside of car L + R side by exhaust.....to access these nuts take off the side exhaust to bumper heat shields and exhaust rubbers...(open up top rubber aperture with a screwdriver and spray some lube inside first then slide off) and allow exhaust to drop.

That's it!

The arrows above indicate the direction in which the nuts/bolts are tightened btw with the car facing this way >>>>>

nazzy

Hi, is it possible for you to also send me the inst1auction sheet on jowls to remove the rear bumper off a 211. Many thanks

vettdvr

I have had mine removed twice. Easy just be stopped as a traffic light and have an idiot run into your rear. Nothing to it.