Removal and installation the rear bumper (BMW 5 Series E39)

The bumper is designed so that it can withstand impacts without damage at vehicle speeds of up to 4 km/h. The impact energy is absorbed by a fiberglass beam located inside and two energy-absorbing buffers.

Removal

Loosen the mudguard fastenings in the right and left wheel arches. To do this, remove the spacer clamps, having first knocked out the pins in the center of the clamps using a curved screwdriver with external slots measuring 2.5-3.0 mm. If the spacer clamps have caps, first press the pins with a screwdriver, and then remove the clamps. Finally, pull out the mudguards by moving them away from the bumper.

Note: You do not need to remove the wheels for this.

Open the luggage compartment, remove the rear trim, see page 133.



Using a 13 mm wrench, unscrew the 3 "arrow" nuts on the left and right sides of the bumper mount.



For vehicles equipped with Park Distance Control (PDC), loosen the cable tie, disconnect the plug connector and release the cables. Pull the bumper back slightly and remove the cable insert together with the cables.

With the help of an assistant, remove the bumper by moving it backwards.

Installation

If required, complete the bumper, see drawing W-48301.



If necessary, place the plastic plug "3" on the energy-absorbing buffer. When removed, the plug often remains in the receiver of the energy-absorbing buffer.



Together with an assistant, insert the bumper into the side guides "1" and push it forward. Press the front part from the side and move the bumper forward along the stop. In this case, the front guide of the bumper should enter the holder "2".



For vehicles with a PDC system, install the wire insert together with the wires, connect the plug connector and secure the wires with a clamp in the position they occupied before removal.

Raise the rear bumper slightly, align it parallel to the body and tighten the fastener to 20 Nm. The distance between the bumper and the body should be 5±1 mm.

The height of the bumper can be adjusted with the bumper removed by turning the plastic head with an internal hexagon located in the energy-absorbing buffers.

Install the rear luggage compartment trim.

Attach the rear mudguards, insert the expansion clamps and drive the expansion pins of the clamps until they stop.