Re-Fitting rear bumper?

[marky]

I am in the process of replacing the rear lights which were full of c--p and the fuel tank breather pipe which as it turned out was in several pieces! The lights were also starting to separate which is why the dirt got in.

Got the rear bumper off OK following Angus's instructions in the technical section and old rivets are out but am slightly confused about what the rivets are actually gripping against on the car? They seem to be standard length rivets and don't go all the way through! Maybe I am being a bit dim but I cant see how I can replace them unless I use long rivets all the way through?

Would appreciate some enlightenment from anyone who has already done this job.

many thanks

Mark.

I am guessing that the rivets must just expand and grip sideways against the body shell - probably was being dim

[amarshall]

Mine are probably a bit long - but they go right through into the spare wheel well. They're probably supposed to go through the outer layer and stop short of the wheel well.

I didn't use the standard "blob end" rivets either - but the type with the end which splits into 4 as these tend to hold better in GRP because they spread out on the other side of the hole.

[marky]

I have got different lengths of the standard blob end ones - will see if I can get the other type - they sound better.

thanks Angus

Mark.

[MrCoolA]

I have got different lengths of the standard blob end ones - will see if I can get the other type - they sound better.

thanks Angus

Mark.

Make sure u take the spare out I know of some fools who haven't. Lol.

[Hawaiis0]

You dont have to use rivets! My PO has apparently used screws for a faster turn round. I havent actually ventured that far so cant elaborate any more.

Edit: you may want to sort out the drain holes on the light units whilst they are off.

[chrisw2811]

When I did mine I remembered to remove the spare wheel just as I started drilling (thanks Jerry) and used longer rivets with a steel washer either end. They protrude into the wheel well a few millimetres but the ones I removed did as well. They're still solid a couple of years later.

[marky]

Thanks - I did remember the spare wheel thanks to older posts on here. I only went astray once with the first rivet then I realized that you only have to drill until the head drops off the rivet and then unhook the bumper. Afterwards you can punch the rest through if you are careful.

I have new lights to fit which is just as well the old ones have split apart at the seams due to over-tightening of the bolts either at the factory or at a later date. I guess this is why they are full of dirt. I think they could possibly be cleaned and repaired but it would take a hell of a lot of work. I have drilled new drainage holes and filled the old ones with silicone. Not sure whether to re-use the plugs for the unused bulbs from the old lights (don't fit very well)or just leave them out for air circulation.

Just trying to restore the paintwork on the bumper - using a professional surface restorer but it is still a very time consuming job. I guess it would be a lot quicker with a polisher.

Thanks for the replies

Mark

[marky]

In the end I used the standard type of rivet as I couldn't get the others in time. The ones I found best were 3.2 mm and 13 mm long. All the rivets gripped well except one which I replaced with a stainless steel screw. This job has transformed the look of the car from the rear!

[Jason.goad]

Looking super shiny. I must say I like the blue decals on white. That's a huge garage. There must be room at least for another excel

[marky]

I wish it was mine! - I rent the right hand garage - the one on the left is absolutely full of c--p!

Mark.

[shaunw]

Nice work Mark, the new lights and restored paint on the bumper brighten up the back of the car considerably . Looking good mate

Shaun

[alanmoss]

Looks like a very good job - well done.