About Kim Smith Expertise Any questions related to autobody and refinishing. I do not proclaim to know it all but have alot of professional experience in my trade.
Experience 30 years.
Organizations Own business
Publications None as of yet.
Education/Credentials Journeyman certificates in Alberta and BC, also I have my Interprovincial Red Seal standards of Canada.
Awards and Honors World of wheels - Peoples choice award on a 1930 model A coupe customized into a Roadster
Question QUESTION: Well, the subject line says it all..do you know how to get the retaining clips out of the rear bumper, to be able to replace the impact strip? The clips have to be pinched from behind and though I can reach some of them with pliers I can't get an angle to squeeze it well enough. How would you get these things out? Remove the bumper?
I tried bending and breaking the clips from the front but they are very tough!
Thanks very much for considering my question.
Diane
ANSWER: Hi Diane,You have answered the question yourself- Remove the bumper to gain access to the clips.If you are replacing the impact strip only you may want try removing the strip with a sharp putty knife to cut through the tabs and simply install the new one .I hope this helps somewhat and all the best to you.......Kim
---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------
QUESTION: Thanks very much for your answer, Kim. The impact strip was removed--my husband backed out and clipped the edge of it with his car, and knocked it mostly off the clips. The only thing to do was take it off all the way. The rubber was in bad shape and was deteriorated underneath and the little accident ripped open the backside of it. It can't be put back on so I've ordered a new one. The clips are all still in place, and they are of very sturdy metal. Are you saying one could install the strip with the retainer clips still in place in the bumper? It didn't look like this would be possible, but if you think it is I'll try it. I thought that it would have to be done by putting the clips into the grooves in the impact strip and then push the clip ends into the holes in the bumper. Let me know if you think it is possible to just work the strip onto the clips. Seems like it would be really hard but maybe you know a trick?
Also, do you know if the quality of the aftermarket strip (APA brand) is ok or would you insist on the genuine BMW strip? The APA brand strip is half the price, but I don't know what the quality might be. I ordered it but I can change the order if necessary.
Thanks again for your help! It's really nice of you to provide expert advice and help me save some money!
Answer Hi Diane, The aftermarket strip should work out..The O.E.M. parts are always the best but with savings of about 1/2 the cost I personally would go with the aftermarket. You should be able to take the bumper off and do the job correctly without to much of a problem. You may want to use a rubber mallet or block of wood and hammer to tap the moulding on --make sure that it is lined up before tapping the strip on , always nice to have a second pair off hands when doing this job..Again I hope that this info helps and all the best.......Kim
