Bumper Removal on a W163 Anyone...?

[G@ZZA]

I'm thinking of fitting Reversing Sensors to the rear of my ML, but before I get my fingers dirty I just thought I'd see if anyone had any experiences in removing the rear bumper...?

I've done a bit of a search on the website but seemed to have found every other MB except the ML.

Feel free to contribute anything that you may feel helpful...

Gazza...

 

[PJayUK]

Olly (BlackC55) told me how to do it when I wanted to remove mine to have it resprayed. From memory it was pretty simple but I cant remember exactly how to do it as I never got round to having the thing sprayed.

You shouldn't need to remove the bumper though to fit sensors I have done it on my Shogun and it was dead easy. Just drilled a hole with a hole cutter and routed the cable into the vehicle through the cable channel in the tailgate.

I wouldnt expect an ML to me much different.

 

[G@ZZA]

Just drilled a hole with a hole cutter and routed the cable into the vehicle through the cable channel in the tailgate.

I wouldnt expect an ML to me much different.

LOL... Cheers for the reply...

I've fitted quite a few sensors in the the past, & as you say it is just a case of drilling a hole & routing the cable... Question is though, where to drill the hole without hitting any brackets or obstacles behind the bumper...?

Unless there is a template available I would sooner pull the bumper forward to check behind it, as it seems laying underneath & looking up there is a big sub-frame running through it...

Gazza...

 

[A210AMG]

Gazza.

I've fitted this kit below (came pre painted for £30 off a famous auction site)...

Think from memory it was 4 bolts holding the bumper on and all I did was slide it off enough to get behind it. I also chose to fit them in the blanking plates where the spare wheel carier would be fitted. I didn't fancy drilling the bumper if I got it wrong and this covers were something like £20 a pair if I messed up

In the end it looks imho pretty good, works a treat. Even though there is only two its as good as factory fitted cars I have had with 4 etc.

They have been on now for almost two years and have only failed once in that it was around -6 and the ice had frozen over them, after 30mins or so they were fine again

 

[Bobby Dazzler]

It really is very very simple. I reluctantly had the rear bumper off our ML last Saturday night.

Assuming yours is a facelift model, you'll see blanking plates on each side of the rear bumper - using a flat bladed screw driver, insert it into the slot in the centre upper edge of the blanking plate, to pop it off (notice the slot in the photo below).

Remove the retaining screw behind each blanking plate.

Lie on your back under the spare wheel, and look up to the inside of the bumper, and you'll see retaining straps - to your left and right - just use a socket to release the straps.

Whilst under the car, look at the inside face of the bumper and just behind the wheel arches you'll see the runners that are used to slide the bumper into the correct position.

Get out from under the car and gently pull the rear bumper. You may feel some resistance - if you do check to ensure the overlap between the wheel arch liner and bumper is released, and then think of how and where the runners are positioned and work one back, and then do the same on the other side.

I hope that's of some use.