Problems with Bumper

[Taylor]

Having had some one back into my car and then drive away I have found myself with the need to replace my front bumper. The car is a '89 318i (released in Australia), it has the plastic bumper. When I had a look at it on the weekend I found that the front two torx bolts that sit under the bumper seemed to just spin in the same place and not come out. Besides these two bolts and the 2 on each side in the wheel housing are there any other bolts that I am missing?? I am unsure if this is the correct way to remove this bumper, any help in this matter would be greatly appreciated.
Thanks
T

[Teaguer]

That sucks .
Hit and run FTL . :down:

All you need to remove the bumper is to remove those 2 torx bolts completely .
Then just grab the bumper firmly and give it a good yank .
Should come right off but don't pull it too far away as you will still need to unplug the ft turn signals ince you have room to do so .

[Van Westervelt]

and the side markers. I found that i had to push the edge in front of the wheels inward to get it to slide off the sliders. stubborn SOB :)

[erik325i]

I found that the front two torx bolts that sit under the bumper seemed to just spin in the same place and not come out.

That sucks. Those are the two bolts holding the bumper on. They need to come out. Maybe the upper tab in the bumper that the bolt screws into snapped off when it was hit. I doubt that would happen being backed into, but that's the only thing i can think of that would cause the bolts to just spin.

-Erik

[Teaguer]

No side markers on Aussie cars ..so no worries there .

Yes and if the bolts are spinning then it could mean that they are are just ready to be pulled out so they can drop .

Or the threaded tabs coud have sheared off and that would suck .
You would have to be able to get to them someway to stop them from spinning so the bolts can unthread .

Good luck .

[Taylor]

Thanks for your help guys,
This might be a silly question but I am unsure what is actually behind the bumper. If the threaded tabs for the two bolts are snapped then wouldn't I be able to pull it and bring the tabs with me. I was able to pull them out probably 5-10mm and then they stopped?? Are these clear and are just caught on something due to the bumper now being misaligned??
T

[Teaguer]

Not gonna work .

The bolts go through guide tubes built onto the shocks..then the threaded bolts are sorta floating above them connected to the tubes by semi-flimsy tabs .

If your cover is shot and you plan on replacing it anyway ...you could always drill through the top of the cover to hold the nuts/tabs with something .

[Taylor]

Thanks for all your help. I will try what you guys have suggested and 'fingers crossed' I will be able to replace it without too much hassle.
T

[delphini]

NEEDLE NOSE VICE GRIPS see if you can grip enough of the bolt to get it backed off . good luck .