51 12 156 Removing and installing (replacing) rear bumper panel

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IMPORTANT: On vehicles with LANE CHANGE WARNING SENSOR (HC2 sensor):

there must be no mechanical damage (e.g. dents) and no body repair work with filler or painting (several coats) must be carried out in a 10 cm radius about the left or right sensor on the bumper panel
no labels must be attached in the area of the sensor

Refer to appropriate "Body and Paint" service information.

Necessary preliminary tasks:

Remove COVER ON REAR BUMPER PANEL

Release screws (1) on wheel arch cover at rear (2).

Tightening torque 51 12 5AZ .

Fig 1: Identifying Screws On Wheel Arch Cover At Rear

Courtesy of BMW OF NORTH AMERICA, INC.

Applicable operation for left and right side:

Carefully lever out expanding rivets (1).

Remove bottom water gutter cover (2).

Installation note:

Expanding rivets (1) must not be damaged.

Fig 2: Identifying Expanding Rivets And Water Gutter Cover

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Release left and right screws (1).

Tightening torque 51 12 6AZ .

Fig 3: Identifying Screws

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Release bottom screws (1).

Tightening torque 51 12 7AZ .

Fig 4: Identifying Bottom Screws

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IMPORTANT: Bumper panel (3) is locked on sides and must be unlocked for removal purposes (risk of damage).

Removing

Fig 5: Identifying Bumper Panel Area

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Starting from area (1), carefully disengage individual guide tabs on left and right
Repeat process for area (2)
Pull bumper panel (3) straight backward with aid of a second person
Disconnect plug connections
Set bumper panel (3) aside.

Installation note:

PROTECTIVE FILM FOR PREVENTING PAINT ABRASION in the area of the invisible joint (side frame) must not de damaged or missing.

Guide tabs at top and bottom must not be damaged!

Observe 41 00... BODY GAP DIMENSIONS .

Fig 6: Identifying Bumper Panel

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Replacement

Modify towing eye cover
Fit rear ultrasonic sensors from old component. See REAR MIDDLE RIGHT PDC , REAR MIDDLE LEFT PDC , REAR RIGHT PDC , and REAR LEFT PDC .
Fit REAR REFLECTORS from old component