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I have removed the license plate bracket, bumperettes, and the 4 philips screws and trim bar below the hatch. I think if I can loosen or remove the two bottom 8mm bolts on each side, I will have enough wiggle room to remove the bumper shocks.
My question is, how do I do this? Specifically, what tool(s) do I need, as my socket set and flexibars don't seem to have enough room (even when I remove the rear tire). I'm beginning to think that the quarter panel edge was slightly bent in during the PO's rear ender.
the two 8mm bolts that I'm trying to remove/loosen
Thanks!
Who has done this
Last edited by Rocinante; 08-28-2016 at 04:05 PM.
Reason: added more info
Flex-head ratcheting gearwrenches are your friend for this. Make sure you get reversibles, sucks to get a bolt mostly out of a tight space to discover you can no longer remove the bolt and wrench...
I think you will need to remove the entire cover. IIRC, The backing mounts that anchor the 8mm bolts won't allow you to manipulate the cover like you are expecting.
One of the tools rob shows is indicative of another extrmely useful set of wrenches. Get a set of ezee red spline, flex wrenches, rov you should post the link again, my god they are useful.
You need 8mm gear wrench with angeled or flex head. I use a dremel cable drive extension with a wire brush to thoroughly clean the exposed threads of every bolt first. You wil need quarter inch drive deep and regular sockets. Buy an extra kit or two of quarter inch drive extensions, kobalt at lowes will work. Also helpful is a penlight with a 10 or 12 inch flexible shaft. These are all basic shark tools for me, used on nearly every job.
I just put my rear bumper back on the car. I think it is not possible to replace the bumper shocks without removing the bumper shield. This is mounted with a lot of hard to reach M5 threads to the left and right rear fenders. Don't be surprised if you break off somr of them in your attempt to loosen the nuts. Don't worry, you can weld new ones on later. I found the top nut on the right side the hardest nut to cravk because you can't see it while doing the work. You have to feel your way around.
I did a search for those E Z Red spline tools. There's a set on Amazon for $135 - is that what I should get? Some of the reviews mentioned that the quality has gone down.
From my internet search results, I found a post in a thread on Pelican that suggests using wobble extensions.
Either way, I need to order the right tools asap! Car has been in the garage for over a month without being driven, and I'd like to wrap up the work I've done on my car so that I can get it to Rich's 928 Garage to get some additional work done (and then on the road!)
At first I thought...talk about old school...filming a rear bumper shock removal in 8mm.
Anyhow, agree with "Landseer"...cleaning the exposed threads is crucial...if unbroken bolts are your goal. Removed all of the nuts with 1/4 inch drive shockets, extensions and ratchet...after cleaning, soaking exposed threads. The rear bumper cover is pretty easy to remove, don't be intimated, just go slow.
Anyhow, agree with "Landseer"...cleaning the exposed threads is crucial...if unbroken bolts are your goal. Removed all of the nuts with 1/4 inch drive shockets, extensions and ratchet...after cleaning, soaking exposed threads. The rear bumper cover is pretty easy to remove, don't be intimated, just go slow.
Brian.
Yes, I will definitely give them a good cleaning. I don't have a Dremel extension cable, but I can reach them with my wire brushes.
I do have a 1/4 inch drive with 8mm sockets and extensions, but I can't reach them (at least not the lowest one - fuel tank is in the way). Hence my post - I'm looking for some other tool options. I can't believe I'd need to drop my tank to take the lower screws out.
I just did this job..well half of it as I haven't replaced my rear bumper cover yet. Since I had to clean my fuel system I had the the fuel tank and pump and filter carrier removed already. Makes access to those little nuts a lot easier. Fortunately they didn't give me much trouble. Soaked over night with Aerokroil (the best IMO) and didn't need any special tools to reach them.
Can be definitely be done with tank in place, though easier if out. There is enough access but its a yoda type thing where you have to believe.
The upper fasteners near the filler neck can be reached IIRC with about 18 inches of quarter inch extension. Ronn, I did mine before buying the ezreds, not sure if that 8mm one is the best tool for a few of the fasteners but in general its a very useful set.
I replaced the right side bumper shock and there wasn't enough room to get the old shock out without removing the bumper cover. I wasn't able to move the alum. brace far enough out to get it out.
I replaced the right side bumper shock and there wasn't enough room to get the old shock out without removing the bumper cover. I wasn't able to move the alum. brace far enough out to get it out.
Thanks Guys for suggestions. I'm getting a flex head ratchet as well. Very frustrating, as I thought I had all the tools I needed. I was covered for 7mm and 9mm, but not 8mm..
There are also some that are very short lengths, get those too, Northern, Harbor Frt, Lowes.
Typically you will use 8,10,13,15,17,19
Occasionally 6,7
Get the dremel or cheap northern equivalent with extension cable, you may be able to reach with a hand wire brush but you wont be able to clean them.
Occasionally the nyloc inserts in the 8 mm nuts fail so that it is impossible to remove the nut. I've had to use the dremel with a mini cutting wheel to lop off the entire stud
Made my Lowes run this morning - just waiting on my 8mm flex head ratchet to be delivered. I'll have to wear an old Star Wars T-shirt when I do this to get my Yoda Chi up.
So far, I've removed all of the rear bumper items without jacking it up. I've read different threads that said to remove the wheels, or just the left rear render liner, or right rear fender liner etc.
Should I get it off the ground and remove fender liner(s), or is it realistic to think I can continue on wheels down (and still on the car)?
08-28-2016, 03:58 PM
8mm fun - rear bumper shock removal
