Removing rear end caps

I'm getting the rear bumper off to check out the rust in anticipation of some welding, but I can't work out the bleedin obvious (I hope) "trick" to removing the plastic end caps! One of them is only held on by what looks like a clip of some sort (the clip into the bumper broke off), but I can't see how to access this clip/catch. The whole thing is so flimsy don't really want to break it by applying brute force.

Nothing Haynes or RAVE so I'm assuming it's bleedin obvious, but buggered if I can see the trick...:doh:

Could some kind soul enlighten me please?

No one? :Cry:

leave the end caps on they dont have to come off

Snifflebag said:

I'm getting the rear bumper off to check out the rust in anticipation of some welding, but I can't work out the bleedin obvious (I hope) "trick" to removing the plastic end caps! One of them is only held on by what looks like a clip of some sort (the clip into the bumper broke off), but I can't see how to access this clip/catch. The whole thing is so flimsy don't really want to break it by applying brute force.

Nothing Haynes or RAVE so I'm assuming it's bleedin obvious, but buggered if I can see the trick...:doh:

Could some kind soul enlighten me please?

Click to expand...

I'll help ya bud..
The end caps are held on by 4 self tapping screws, they pass through the steel part of the bumper into small sockets moulded into the end cap.
Unfortunately you have to remove the bumper to get at them.
(The endcaps are only secured to the bumper)
The bumper should come off easily enough by undoing the 4 nuts that secure it to the chassis. (Soak nuts in penetrating oil overnight)
When you get the bumper off all will become apparent and you will be able to re-secure the endcaps properly.

Ta for the advice. I shall get the penetrating oil out now

Hi Snifflebag
What is not noted is that you have 2 choices for removing the bumper
1 via the two retaining bolts that can be access under the read of the chassis, which from very recent experience you will have no chance of undoing.
2 undo the four bolts that hold the bumper to the chassis, however to access the four bolts you also have to to remove the bumper light clusters and move the wiring out of the way, the light fixings which are fiddly little devils are semi retained in the fixing and semi in the light body. I was recommended (and I did) was to replace the fixing studs with short around 25mm 6mm bar fixed with araldite and new nuts and washers
This process whilst a bit more time consuming was far easier and re-assembled better for the future. Use copper grease when re-assemble as you never know.
Hope it helps
Robin

Aye , that copper grease stops the world from seizing up

I have managed 2 rotten 200tdis recently where the 2 chassis bolts have come undone without much hassle.

Either way it can be a ****!

They just FELL off in terror when they saw the spanner,when I tried to de-bumper my 96 D1

Removed the rear bumper from a scrapped vehicle in order to recover the end caps. Thanks to folks here for the tips... which are as follows:

The "2 Bolt" Approach - remove the two bolts that are visible looking back and up either side of where the tow hitch would be. These were rusted solid on the vehicle I was working on.

The "4 Bolt" Approach - remove the light fittings and access the two bolts visible either side in the aperture where the light fittings have been removed. In my case these bolts were clean and a breeze to undo. BUT, the nuts holding the light fittings were rusted up, but were more easily cut off.

YMMV

Thanks for the guidance LZers!

Snifflebag said:

No one? :Cry:

Click to expand...

To remove the end caps all you need to do is unfasten 2x 13mm bolts which hold a metal bracket which links the plastic end cap to the metal bumper.

Ratchet ring spanners are very useful for this job.

thebiglad said:

To remove the end caps all you need to do is unfasten 2x 13mm bolts which hold a metal bracket which links the plastic end cap to the metal bumper.

Ratchet ring spanners are very useful for this job.

Click to expand...

Reawakening an ancient thread, is what you are saying that you only need to remove two 13mm bolts to remove the end cap with the bumper still in place, or do I need to remove the bumper first? Seems a lot of work to just stop the bloody thing rattling about.

Worf said:

Reawakening an ancient thread, is what you are saying that you only need to remove two 13mm bolts to remove the end cap with the bumper still in place, or do I need to remove the bumper first? Seems a lot of work to just stop the bloody thing rattling about.

Click to expand...

which model are you meaning, d 1 o r d2

discodrivercumbria said:

which model are you meaning, d 1 o r d2

Click to expand...

Sorry, D1, but sorted it now. Undid 2 bolts and end cap slides off. There is a small self tapper that slides in a slot in the end of bumper, but wasnt a problem.