A 2007 Nissan Murano's rear bumper is in a perfect position to absorb the brunt of a sudden impact, whether it be from a moving vehicle or a stationary object. These impacts can range from mild scratches to the obliteration of the bumper, much of which will require the complete replacement of the bumper. Luckily, not all bumper removal scenarios are created through an accident. In the Murano's case, the bumper must be removed to facilitate the installation of an aftermarket tow hitch. The procedure is straightforward and requires only a few common tools; however, the bumper is cumbersome and will require more than one pair of hands to remove without causing further damage.
Open the rear compartment liftgate.
Pull the plastic trim panels off the inner edges of both taillight assemblies. Unscrew the mounting bolts from the top and bottom of the taillights, using a ratchet. Pull the taillight assemblies off the Murano and unplug the taillight electrical connectors.
Remove the bolts attaching the sides of the rear bumper to the left and right rear fenders, using a ratchet. The bolts are located at the top of both rear wheel wells.
Pry the plastic push rivets from the top of the rear bumper, using a flat-head screwdriver.
Have an assistant support the bumper, then pry out the plastic push rivets from the bottom edge of the bumper. Pull the bumper away until the pawls molded into the inner face of the bumper are free from the Murano's chassis.
Pull the foam energy absorber away from the chassis and the rear bumper reinforcement bracket. Unbolt the reinforcement bracket, using a ratchet. Skip this step if you are not replacing the rear bumper reinforcement bracket.
Remove the plastic bumper protector nuts, located under the top-inside face of the rear bumper, using a ratchet. Lift the bumper protector off of the bumper. Skip this step if you are not replacing the bumper protector.
Pry out the plastic push rivets attaching the inner bumper panels to both sides of the rear bumper, using a flat-head screwdriver. Pull the panels away. Skip this step if you are not replacing the inner bumper panels.
Place the inner bumper panels against their mounting points along both sides of the rear bumper. Push the plastic push rivets into place by hand to secure the panels.
Lay the bumper protector over the rear bumper. Screw the mounting nuts onto the protector's threaded posts on the inside face of the rear bumper, using a ratchet.
Mount the rear bumper reinforcement bracket onto the Murano's chassis, using a ratchet. Tighten the bracket bolts to 9.4 foot-pounds, using a torque wrench. Place the foam energy absorber over the bracket.
Lift the rear bumper into place against the Murano's chassis with the aid of an assistant. Push the bumper pawls into the chassis, then push the plastic push rivets into place at the top of the bumper. Push the rivets into place along the bottom of the bumper. Screw in the mounting bolts into place under the rear wheel wells, using a ratchet.
Reconnect the taillight assembly connectors, then push the taillights into place against the Murano's chassis. Screw the taillight mounting bolts into place. Push the taillight trim panels into place between the taillights and the rear compartment opening.
Close the rear compartment liftgate. Measure the clearance between the rear bumper and the closed rear compartment liftgate, using a micrometer or vernier caliper, then the check the clearance between the rear bumper and the rear fenders. Ideally, there should be no more than a 0.039-inch gap between the bumper and the liftgate, and a 0.236 to 0.394-inch gap between the bumper and the fenders. Loosen the bolts under the rear wheel wells and remove the plastic push rivets, then reposition the bumper if the bumper does not provide the necessary clearances.
