Squeaky rear plastic bumper

[evilnickwong]

My rear plastic bumper has started squeaking and creaking recently and I think I'm starting to hear it when starting off on 1st gear because the vibrations are making it creak. If I press around it, it creaks.

Any ideas? I recently removed it and sprayed some silicon lube into the innards but that only solved it for awhile, then it came back.

[td325ic]

The bumper may be missing the rubber washers that go between the cover and the white fiberglass reinforcement. You have to take the bumper completely apart and remove the trim though, so it may be a little difficult if it's your first time disassembling the bumper.

If you need any tips on removing the trim without breaking the tabs then just let me know.

[evilnickwong]

I'm looking at the diagram here:
http://www.realoem.com/bmw/showparts...56&hg=51&fg=15

The only rubber washer is #17, but it doesn't indicate where exactly it goes. I assume by fiberglass reinforcement, you are referring to the carrier (#7)? Or is it spacer #3? That looks to be the only thing between the bumper and carrier to isolate squeaks.

I would indeed appreciate tips on disassembly. :D

[td325ic]

I think there is around 5 rubber washers that "sandwich" between the carrier (#7) and the bumper cover (#1). They are held in place with the plastic rivets.

Goes together like this:



Taking apart the bumper is pretty easy, you just need a flat head screwdriver to pry and push out the tabs of the trim.

Take a look at my post in this thread for some basic tips:

http://www.e30tech.com/forum/showthread.php?t=24956

Bumper disassembly follows this order:

1) Remove bumper from car

2) Remove side molding (you can probably skip this step)

3) Use a small and a medium size nail punch to hammer out the ~8 plastic rivets stuck in the carrier. You need to first hammer out the "small rivet pin", then hammer out the larger part of the rivet.

4) Press the side tabs in on the bumper cover which hold the carrier. Pull out carrier from bumper cover (Sometimes difficult to do)

5) Remove rear center molding from bumper cover the same way you removed the side molding

[evilnickwong]

Whoa, excellent instructions there, thanks! :D
I'll probably head on over to the parts shop to get those washers before I start disassembly one weekend when I'm free.