Vantage rear bumper removal

[LTP]

Anyone know where there's detailed instructions (or even better a video) on how to remove and refit a Vantage rear bumper? I've tried various searches and have failed to find anything worthwhile.

It's something I'm contemplating and want to assess exactly what's involved. Thanks in advance

[Handyman2009]

all the bolts are pretty well exposed a few close to the fender liners and the rest you should see but you have to remove your rear lights as you will have a bolt on each side to undo. Hope this help

[BigMig]

There's a thread here that outlines all the steps involved from the workshop manual

https://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?t=12...

[AstonV]

There is industrial strength Velcro along the top of the bumper. For some reason no one ever mentions it, when everything is removed that is what is holding tight.

When reinstalling adjusting the tail lights is a bh, a very stupid design, make sure you don't over tighten, stressing the glue seams it what causes them to leak.

[Veg]

The other overlooked bit is the wiring loom. It really restricts how far you can pull the bumper away from the body and you need 2 pairs of hands and patience. You need new zip tie body fixings too as the ones near the wheel arch need sniping. The others at the back of the bumper can be pulled off. There are three electrical connectors on each side, one on rear reflector, one on the parking sensor and one for the rear number plate light, ditto the other side. The last 2 parking sensor connectors are behind the oft oft pox marked metal bits between the meshes.

Refitting is a bh too, I put mine back on my own and it took all afternoon! Tip is to get it on the industrial velcro then do the wheel arch bolts and clip then do the other bolts (under lights and through boot space to bumper)

[JonnyCJ]

Veg said:

... Tip is to get it on the industrial velcro then do the wheel arch bolts and clip then do the other bolts (under lights and through boot space to bumper)

I’ll be re-fitting mine on my own as well. Useful tips - thanks.

The above will take some care no doubt, as once it’s on the Velcro you can’t exactly slide it left to right, so my plan will be to mark the exact middle of the bumper and exact middle of the Velcro area so that hopefully the bolts on the top of the wings are equally spaced.

Did you fit the Velcro and the wiring loom or wiring loom first ? That was the last thing to come off when I was removing mine, but I couldn’t see what was what etc.

[AstonV]

You should have a V shaped trim tool to remove the plastic screw type fasteners that are attached to the wiring harness. I didn’t have to snip any, but are kind of tough to get out. I left the bumper attached with a couple of the screws that are under the tail lights until I had all the fasteners were removed. There is no additional slack in the harness either, the bumper cant be moved till the wire harness has been removed. Definitely need 2 people to remove and reinstall the bumper so nothing gets scratched. I didn’t mark the centerline, but it is a good idea. When I reinstalled I taped around the edges of the rear fenders and bumper so nothing was scratched.

It’s not something I’d want to ever do again. The whole freaking back end need to removed it seems. Under tray, wheels, fender liners, lights, trunk liner, it really sucks. Be patient.

[LTP]

Many thanks all - just what I was looking for. I don't know why my forum search didn't turn BigMig's link up.

Pretty sure it's not something I can tackle on my own while in isolation and I don't have jacking pads to get the rear wheels off to remove the rear liners. Something to mull over.

Edited by LTP on Wednesday 8th April 10:03

[JonnyCJ]

Steve who does the jacking pads can get a set out to you. Cav.mar1 on eBay.

It’s not rocket science to remove the rear bumper if you take your time and have some towels or cardboard on the floor to lower the bumper on to.

The only problem you’ll have is seeing all the other stuff that needs doing under there.

Ask me how I know !