Has anyone come across a guide or can provide any info on how to remove and fit a new rear bumper protector?

thanks

 

To clarify, the rear bumper chrome protector trim that sits across the top under the tailgate.

 

@Golfather Please post the full VIN so someone can look up the procedure. Please get in the habit of posting the full VIN. MB parts and service documentation is driven from this, and there can be significant option content and production changes across years and versions.

 

The bumper most likely has to come off.

 

Will do. WDC1668242A731792

Thanks.

 

I didn't see a procedure for removing the protective plate itself. When you remove the rear bumper assembly, it likely will be self evident how the protective plate comes off.

 

If we are talking about the chrome rear bumper strip/protector ... if you want the easiest method to "know for sure"" is to purchase the replacement - and you will see on the replacement exactly how it gets held in place.

From "memory" this is held by adhesive

 

Thanks guys.
I found this picture on ebay for an X164 GL. Not sure if the fitment is the same for the X166. Does it appear that the rear bumper must be removed?

 

@Golfather I am seeing clips and locations for fasteners in the photo you posted.

@fabbrisd1 The protective strip is recessed into the bumper cover. Combined with the photo from Golfather to me it appears fastened, and not taped. I installed a rear sill protective plate on my son’s 2019 Tiguan and it was adhesive taped. The Tiguan’s protective plate was not recessed into the bumper cover, rather it was set on top of it.

 

Yes. The clips to the right in the picture suggest it's secured underneath. Need to find a friendly body shop that can do this. Not one on the driveway for me

 

Here's a picture of it "removed" off my bumper.

 

Damn! Was it ripped off during the accident or tactfully removed to expose the holes for my benefit ...?
I get the slots for the clips on the trim, but not 100% sure if they require securing from underneath.

 

Looks like they are push clips would have to be released from behind the bumper. If you are replacing it, then does it matter if you break the clips since you will be putting a new piece on? Just have to be careful to not damage or warp the plastic around the clips otherwise it may not go back on flush.

 

If it were mine I would remove the bumper cover assembly, then remove the protective plate in a second step.

@Golfather Why do you need to remove the protective plate?

 

My plate is scratched in various places, not badly, but enough for my eyes are constantly drawn to the problem areas so I'd like to replace it.
I'm not in favour of pulling it off and hoping it will be alright, in case it results in more costly damage.

 

I was laying under the rear bumper of my W166 tonight and saw the protective plate clip in the bumper cover. I tried to see if 100% of all clips were visible and accessible (it seemed not), and to imagine if they could be released without damage and without removing the rear bumper cover (it seemed not). If I were determined to replace the protective plate, I would remove the rear bumper cover.

 

I’d like to thank for you taking the time to look into this. It looks like a bumper off job so that’s what we’ll do.

 

So it was a trickier job than expected in the end. Had to remove the bumper skin to get to the clips and unhinge each nearest to the outer edge of the bumper to dislodge the trim.

Refitting was easier but a rubber mallet had to be used to get the chrome trim tight and flush to the bumper skin, to ensure each of the clips locked into place.

I don’t have any pics of the process itself but I’ll post some before and after pics.

 

Seems like they are always trickier for me! No matter how much you think you've prepared, you run into "challenges"! Can't wait for the pics.

 

A few pics of the swap over:

Before: scratched chrome protector as well as some imperfections and a scrape on the rear bumper:





After: New Chrome Protector and Repainted Bumper

 

Looks great! Nice improvement.

 

Thanks, I should probably have it PPF'd

 

Just changed mine without bumper removal using masking tape on rear edge between painted edge and chrome plate.
Used the new one as a guide to where clips are located and wedged each clip with pry tool whilst using pressure pulling the plate towards the back with my hand, each clip slowly uncliped and worked my way across using the 2nd plastic pry tool in the front edge as the gap was opening.
The front tabs are only guides so they don’t need uncliping only the back. New one slid on lining up front tabs first and using slight pressure where clips are on the back using firm pressure with my hand.

 

Hi, late to the game but just did this myself today. It's quite easy to do, less then 20 mins including washing under the trim before you put the new trim in. I crunched mine a bit 4 days ago, being really lazy on a tight turn with a car trailer instead of taking a wider but three second longer turn! What a clown! Anyway the jackknifing trailer caught the bumper with the raised Jockey Wheel. Not bad because I was moving really slowly and noticed what was going on... but bad enough to look like a glaring fault to my eyes and anyone else that I felt was staring at the car and laughing inwardly at what I had done.

So I ordered the new part and it was delivered yesterday.

Took the old one off easily with a trim tool, already had these, but they are readily available on Amazon, eBay and at most Automotive stores. They are made out of fibreglass reinforced plastic, they're flexible but strong in compression and don't mark paintwork, makes the job quite easy when you have the right tool. As a previous member said in the thread, just use the new part as a guide to where the plastic barbed clips are. There is one every two ridges along the trim plate. All you have to do is slide the tool up behind the trim and push the clip up while gently pulling the trim out. Take your time, teh first one is teh most difficult and it gets easier as you work your way along. The clips behind the trim at the bottom are the only ones that need to be released, the upper tabs just pull out as you work along.

Clean the bumper.

Fit the new part.

The trick to this is to align it both sides, push the trim in gently at first, starting from the centre and checking as you work left and right. Slide the top tabs in looking underneath and behind the bottom of the trim to check that you have aligned the clips with the slots in the bumper. Once the top tabs are in line the trim needs to pushed downwards slightly to get the clips into the slot. Do it gradually, checking that all clips are in place. The trim can then be tapped into place using the heel of your hand, don't be afraid to tap hard enough to make it lock in the slot, you will here a click as each clip along the trim locates.

Job done, looks great!


First clip released

The trim comes away as you work along releasing each clip

Using the trim tool, sling behind the trim where the clip is and pushing upwards whilst pulling the trim

road grime underneath the trim

trim removed

new part acts as a guide to the locating clips

this tool makes it easy

new trim in place

 

Looks great!