Front Bumper coming off today

AndyJ · 8th March 2009, 08:51

Due to an unfortunate collision between a small stone and my n/s fog light, the lens shattered and the entire unit needs replacing.

I shopped around and found a replacement for £25 from Browns and Gammons, and had a pre-look see last weekend to see if I could get to the lamp without taking the front bumper off, but gave up and decided I needed to go ahead with the full job.

So, today may be the day, and I wondered if anyone has any thoughts on what else to take a look at whilst it's off?

Greeners · 8th March 2009, 08:57

I'll warn you now....the chances of unscrewing the 4 bolts are very very very slim.

Steel bolts into brass threaded inserts in a plastic bumper....you'll find the inserts will unscrew still attached to the bolts.

I ended up using very long decking screws to hold mine on, as the inserts are part of the bumper and not available seperately.

I did think about bonding threaded nylon studs in, just never got round to it.

Sorry to be gloomy, but you may be lucky......

AndyJ · 8th March 2009, 09:06

Thanks for the warning David, come to think of it when I thought about removing the air duct, I had a go at unscrewing that and it was having none of it...

Maybe this is a bad plan, and I may have to resort to getting my local garage to do it. Though that would be the first time I've needed too in over a year!

Thanks to this forum

(My 100th Post)!

Greeners · 8th March 2009, 09:10

Quote:

Originally Posted by AndyJ

Thanks for the warning David, come to think of it when I thought about removing the air duct, I had a go at unscrewing that and it was having none of it...

Maybe this is a bad plan, and I may have to resort to getting my local garage to do it. Though that would be the first time I've needed too in over a year!

Thanks to this forum

andy, you'd be better off having a go yourself taking the bumper off is easy, and if may be worth soaking the bolts in WD40 and leaving it for a while.

Al the garage wil do is what I've done and charge you a lot for the priviledge

AndyJ · 8th March 2009, 09:18

I shall investigate... WD40 in hand!

Vulcan69 · 8th March 2009, 10:27

An in depth idiot guide with lots of photos would be invaluable Andy! :lol:

Only kidding mate....I have exactly the same problem to tackle on my tourer at some point soon and I am not what you would call a DIY'er by any stretch of the imagination. I much prefer GSBETDI.....Get Some B***** Else To Do It but I know that my local garage will charge through the nose for the pleasure.
The last time I spoke to them was to get a quote on a V6 cam belt and water pump change and they were asking for over a grand!!!! Guess what my answer was!

Anyway best of luck on the project.

AndyJ · 8th March 2009, 10:47

Front bumper is off! All the bolts undone with no problems at all... I thought it was all going too well, as when I got to the fog light, the 2 bottom screws have rusted through. I got one out, the other is currently soaking in WD40!

Vulcan, there is a great how-to in the appropriate section
http://www.the75andztclub.co.uk/foru...t=bumper+front

So I'm saved that task

Time for a cup of tea

mark_bonsai · 8th March 2009, 11:45

WD40's OK, but you're better off with a penetrating fluid with graphite in it. Compared with this stuff, WD40's about as effective as tap water.

Kandyman · 8th March 2009, 11:52

With the bumper off its best to give the washer bottle a good flushing out and remove the pump and give the filter a clean.

Check the wiring looms for the headlights as theses have been know to rub on the body work and chaff thru.

Check the air duct Shanon tube as these can disintegrate.

Take your time and get the bumper/bonnet spot on.

AndyJ · 8th March 2009, 13:34

All done!

New fog light in and working and bumper back on, all single handed

The bottom two screws on the fog light came out, but along with the brass inserts that are supposed to live in the plastic moulding! I managed to save one, as it unscrewed with the help of a vice and then was easy to screw back into the moulding. The second one has been assigned to the bin as the screwlock used at the factory had obviously set so well that the brass broke up when trying to turn the screw in it.

Kandyman

The weather has turned for the worse, so I decided to get the bumper back on asap, but I did take my time at it. Really pleased with the bumper/bonnet line, it's definitely better than before.

Now that I've done it once, I'm condident in the process so will definitely check the items you pointed out next time.

Thanks everyone

8th March 2009, 08:51	#1
AndyJ Avid contributor MG ZT CDTi 135 XPower Grey Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Chertsey, Surrey Posts: 116 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Front Bumper coming off today Due to an unfortunate collision between a small stone and my n/s fog light, the lens shattered and the entire unit needs replacing. I shopped around and found a replacement for £25 from Browns and Gammons, and had a pre-look see last weekend to see if I could get to the lamp without taking the front bumper off, but gave up and decided I needed to go ahead with the full job. So, today may be the day, and I wondered if anyone has any thoughts on what else to take a look at whilst it's off?

8th March 2009, 08:57	#2
Greeners Moderator MG-ZTT Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Ware, Herts Posts: 19,798 Thanks: 161 Thanked 1,249 Times in 1,036 Posts	I'll warn you now....the chances of unscrewing the 4 bolts are very very very slim. Steel bolts into brass threaded inserts in a plastic bumper....you'll find the inserts will unscrew still attached to the bolts. I ended up using very long decking screws to hold mine on, as the inserts are part of the bumper and not available seperately. I did think about bonding threaded nylon studs in, just never got round to it. Sorry to be gloomy, but you may be lucky...... __________________ *David* Impecunity is the mother of ingenuity Useful how to's for common problems Car Of The Month Jan 2014 [SatNav Power Down] [Coolant Level] [SatNav Repair] [Diesel Non Starting] [Paint Codes] [Rear Light Seals] [Reversing Light Switch] [Bleeding Brakes][Sunroof Drain] [Early ZT's][Instrument Pack Diagnostics][ATC Diagnostics]

8th March 2009, 09:06	#3
AndyJ Avid contributor MG ZT CDTi 135 XPower Grey Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Chertsey, Surrey Posts: 116 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Thanks for the warning David, come to think of it when I thought about removing the air duct, I had a go at unscrewing that and it was having none of it... Maybe this is a bad plan, and I may have to resort to getting my local garage to do it. Though that would be the first time I've needed too in over a year! Thanks to this forum (My 100th Post)! Last edited by AndyJ; 8th March 2009 at 09:18.. Reason: 100th post realisation!

8th March 2009, 11:45	#8
mark_bonsai I really should get out more....... Rover 75 CDT Saloon Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: Lancaster Posts: 2,219 Thanks: 24 Thanked 39 Times in 39 Posts	WD40's OK, but you're better off with a penetrating fluid with graphite in it. Compared with this stuff, WD40's about as effective as tap water. __________________ Re-mapped. EGR bypass. De-catted. 18" Apex's. ZT190 brakes & suspension. Xenon projectors. Powerfold bullets. Electric rear sun blind. Auto dipping rear view mirror. Wood and leather steering wheel. Wood handbrake handle. Full leather sports seats. Harman Kardon speakers & sub. Navall 2 double din through 500w Kenwood amp. Fully chromed front grill.

8th March 2009, 09:18	#5
AndyJ Avid contributor MG ZT CDTi 135 XPower Grey Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Chertsey, Surrey Posts: 116 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	I shall investigate... WD40 in hand!

8th March 2009, 10:27	#6
Vulcan69 Regular poster Rover 75 Tourer 2.5 SE Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: The frozen North Posts: 77 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	An in depth idiot guide with lots of photos would be invaluable Andy! :lol: Only kidding mate....I have exactly the same problem to tackle on my tourer at some point soon and I am not what you would call a DIY'er by any stretch of the imagination. I much prefer GSBETDI.....Get Some B***** Else To Do It but I know that my local garage will charge through the nose for the pleasure. The last time I spoke to them was to get a quote on a V6 cam belt and water pump change and they were asking for over a grand!!!! Guess what my answer was! Anyway best of luck on the project.

8th March 2009, 10:47	#7
AndyJ Avid contributor MG ZT CDTi 135 XPower Grey Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Chertsey, Surrey Posts: 116 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Front bumper is off! All the bolts undone with no problems at all... I thought it was all going too well, as when I got to the fog light, the 2 bottom screws have rusted through. I got one out, the other is currently soaking in WD40! Vulcan, there is a great how-to in the appropriate section http://www.the75andztclub.co.uk/foru...t=bumper+front So I'm saved that task Time for a cup of tea

8th March 2009, 11:52	#9
Kandyman Banned ROVER 75 2.5 V6 Connoisseur SE Limousine 2004 Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Welling Posts: 10,995 Thanks: 0 Thanked 2 Times in 2 Posts	With the bumper off its best to give the washer bottle a good flushing out and remove the pump and give the filter a clean. Check the wiring looms for the headlights as theses have been know to rub on the body work and chaff thru. Check the air duct Shanon tube as these can disintegrate. Take your time and get the bumper/bonnet spot on.

8th March 2009, 13:34	#10
AndyJ Avid contributor MG ZT CDTi 135 XPower Grey Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Chertsey, Surrey Posts: 116 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	All done! New fog light in and working and bumper back on, all single handed The bottom two screws on the fog light came out, but along with the brass inserts that are supposed to live in the plastic moulding! I managed to save one, as it unscrewed with the help of a vice and then was easy to screw back into the moulding. The second one has been assigned to the bin as the screwlock used at the factory had obviously set so well that the brass broke up when trying to turn the screw in it. Kandyman The weather has turned for the worse, so I decided to get the bumper back on asap, but I did take my time at it. Really pleased with the bumper/bonnet line, it's definitely better than before. Now that I've done it once, I'm condident in the process so will definitely check the items you pointed out next time. Thanks everyone