Are there any rear bumper removal DIY instructions/video out there. I have an 87 Auto and need to remove rear factory hitch. Shop wants $400 to remove bumper, hitch & replace bumper.

 

Here's how an un-named driver from an un-named semi-private "racing" club does it.


I'd use another approach...

 

Know what? I'd pay the $400.

It's simple to do. There are a bunch of little studs that stick out of the plastic and through the metal body. You need to get all the nuts off those, release/remove the rear tail lights, and unbolt the plate that runs across under the back of the hatch. It's a giant hassle. The little studs will probably break off anyways. Get them to agree to fix those.

Or... I'd take my trusty Sawzall, get some new blades, and cut off the hitch as high up and far back as I could get to. Some bolts to the rear suspension, IIRC, so unbolt that.

 

https://rennlist.com/forums/928-foru...w-picture.html

I agree that $400 seems like a good value. Not because you cannot do it , but because it will be very time consuming and borderline frustratiing.

 

I've done the rear bumper cover removal job; it's not that bad. Easier/quicker than the front for sure. Make sure you hit the nuts/bolts with PBlaster or Kroil before you do it as you don't want to snap any of the studs removing the cover. 8mm gear wrench will be your friend. I would be worried about a shop doing the work for said reason. It would be very difficult to replace a stud if one was broken during removal and you need all of them to pull the cover tight upon replacement. You should be able to reuse the beading...


Brian

 

The link that medipedicman gave pretty much sums it up. The only comments that I would add is that removal of the undercoating to get to the nuts and studs is a real PIA, and that two people make the actual removal and installation of the bumper covers a lot easier as the covers are fairly flexible and twist a bit when not supported by the body so they are hard for one person to control and the studs can scratch the paint if you are not careful.

 

I will amortize the cost of your professional bumper R&R job by offering to buy the factory hitch. Do you have the wiring harness that goes with it?

 

Thanks for the input. I'm trying to remove the hitch because I have interest in it from a fellow renlister. I do have the wiring harness. I don't think I will tackle the removal & the shop arent 928 specialists so I may b stuck with it.

 

You dont need to be a 928 specialist to do a 20min bumper removal.

its just a bumper shell.


You create your own blocks on this one.

 

$400 seems quite expensive for just 20 min. How long would it take me to remove it?

 

Seriously, a 1/2 hour job at the most. Just make sure you get into the nuts in the wheel well with an exacto knife and cut off the immediately surrounding undercoatin.

 

Not really.

Labor time + liability cost added in..that's 1/2 day to do what you want done by a shop.

 

I finally have found someone to remove the bumper & hitch. It's going to cost $450 to have them remove it. Is there any interest in the hitch at $1000. When I thought I could remove it, the sales price was $550. It has a wiring harness with it. I understand if interest has passed at 1K. Stefan mentioned a group buy to have it copied/reverse engineered for mass production. Keeping the Funds in the 928 community. Using the money for intake refresh.

 

_Exactly_ the kind of job I hate to hand to a shop, unless I know them very well. Lots of opportunities for ham-fistedness and destructive shortcuts AND the results are hidden after reassembly.