Question
Rear Bumper
Hi Michael, I have a 2002 LEXUS ES300. Recently when I backed my car I bumped into the wall behind, and this caused some minor damage to my rear bumper. It seemed to damage the rear bumper bracket on the left side, and the bumper at its left connection point to the car body (which is just under the left tail light) popped out a bit (about 1/3 inch). Everything else is fine. When I took the car to the body shop they were asking for replacement of the whole rear bumper, which would cost $800+. So I am thinking about fixing it myself. The most important thing would be to put the popped out bumper back to normal position at the rear left side. I tried to push it back but it did not move at all. Could you help me with it? Thanks so much!
Best, Shuo
AnswerSHUO...........WITHOUT SEEING THE DAMAGES IT IS DIFFICULT TO DETERMINE IF YOU ARE OR WILL BE WASTING YOUR TIME. YOU HAVE AN ESTIMATE FROM A PROFESSIONAL WHO HAS DETERMINED THAT YOUR COVER REQUIRES REPLACING. WITHOUT KNOWING THE EXPERIENCE OF THAT SHOP PROFESSIONAL WE ARE BACK TO SQUARE ONE. THANKS FOR POSTING THE PHOTO !!
TO REMOVE THE COVER OR LOOSEN IT UP SO THAT YOU MIGHT BE ABLE TO RE ATTACH IT YOU HAVE TO
REMOVE THE BUMPER RETAINERS THAT ARE UNDER THE CARPET IN THE REAR....I THINK.
REMOVE THE LEFT TAIL LAMP . THERE ARE PLASTIC PUSH IN TYPE RETAINERS THAT HAVE TO BE REMOVED SO THE COVER CAN COME OFF. LOOSEN THE LEFT SIDE FIRST AND TRY TO POP COVER INTO BRACKET.
THERE ARE PLASTIC CATCHERS THAT THE SLOTS SNAP ON TO....LOOKS LIKE THERE MAY BE PRESSURE
DUE TO THE DAMAGES THAT ARE PREVENTING IT FROM POPPING BACK IN.
I DON'T THINK THAT I WOULD REPLACE THE COVER YET....I MIGHT ASK THE BODY SHOP TO
TAKE THE COVER OFF AND SEE IF THEY CAN REPAIR IT/POP IT BACK IN.
THAT WOULD BE CONSIDERABLY LESS EXPENSIVE TO DO.
GOOD LUCK
