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Pulled Facelift Splitter while parking. How to fix?
Well, it finally happened. In spite of my best efforts -- for a year now -- I managed to snag the chrome splitter (lip?) under my front bumper cover. I pulled to that concrete wheel stop just that little bit too far. I didn't notice it until 3 days later.
The Chrome lip is undamaged, but is pulled away from bumper cover about 1/2" (gap on the driver's side only). And there is a nice, 2" rip (a bodycolored flap) underneath in the part behind the chrome splitter. I assume one of the rebar posts holding the concrete in place stuck above the top of the concrete and grabbed it as I backed away.
OK, now for the fun part. To reposition the chrome splitter, I assume I need to loosen the splitter attachments and shove everything back in place. While doing that, I might just as well remove everything to bend the flap back into place and tape it from behind.
Is there a parts diagram showing the attachment bits on this? (I searched but found nothing.) Or anyone with experience at this who can offer some hints? TIA.
Konigstiger had posted the diagram of that area not too long ago because someone needed the chrome trim. I can’t find the post. Did your fender pull away at the wheel well at all? That is a much bigger issue.
Konigstiger had posted the diagram of that area not too long ago because someone needed the chrome trim. I can’t find the post. Did your fender pull away at the wheel well at all? That is a much bigger issue.
Here are the pics. The Fender gap may be SLIGHTLY more than the right side, but maybe not enough to worry about? I guess I was lucky.
The insert (lower left) shows the gap between the Chrome part and the bumper cover. . It's too dark in the garage to photograph underneath.
Yes, I seem to recall seeing the Konigstiger post before, too. But the search terms I've entered have not helped.
The car is so dirty because I like to wash my own cars, BUT I've had both of my knees replaced since Thanksgiving (the most recent just 5-weeks ago). Not looking forward to laying on my back to monkey around with this repair, as I can't press my knees on the driveway pavement, atm.
There may have been one more recent, but it’s the same content. Seems like you can use a wedge to pop off that piece and then inspect it and pop it back in. I can see the fender is a little stretched away from the body, but not too bad. The part of the bumper underbelly is never seen, so i wouldn’t be too concerned with it. Smooth it out as best you can and that’s all
Well, since the chrome splitter is held in place by clips, I was able to take a rubber mallet and gently tap the gap closed. The tear underbody can wait for a warmer day.
Good deal. I think you dodged one for sure. Concrete bumpers are bad enough, but when those rebar spikes are sticking above them it can be a real disaster. Our bumper is easily fishhooked over them and then you are screwed when backing up.
On a recent service at the dealer, I was provided a 2019 E300 loaner. Not really a fan of the W213. BUT, I did notice an improvement in the location of the front parking sensors. As we know, on the W212, the six forward sensors are mounted in the bumper, in plain sight.
On the W213, two of these forward sensors are located in the side bumper (yellow below) in W212 fashion. However, the four forward facing sensors are mounted much lower (4-5"?), in the black accent cutouts below the bumper (in RED). In terms of avoiding the fish-hook problem on concrete tire stops, I suspect this is MUCH better, as the lower mounted sensors can "see" the concrete stops for a longer period.
I imagine this is also a nifty design and build improvement, because the under bumper inserts are all the same (black) color, and more easily replaced as bodywork repairs and don't need paint at all. Neat idea.
03-29-2019, 12:59 PM
