The rubber trim keeps coming off the rear bumper on the W123.
I reattached it several times now, but the clips pop off, even without the car being driven. It almost seems originally there was some kind of clue involved to keep those clip tracks in place.

Anybody had this situation before? Creative or practical input is much appreciated.

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It seems to me that unless you have broken parts, it may be just a case of not having figured out exactly how it all is supposed to work. Again, barring broken or missing parts it all just slides and or snaps together. I remember the first time I had trouble with it after studying it all I kindof chuckled at how simple and effective it all works. IIRC, there are plastic thingies that have to be pushed in and slid to the side, then the rubber bump strip can just be tapped in with a rubber mallet. Deceptively simple once you figure it all out.

Tom W

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[SIGPIC] Diesel loving autocrossing grandpa Architect. 08 Dodge 3/4 ton with Cummins & six speed; I have had about 35 benzes. I have a 39 Studebaker Coupe Express pickup in which I have had installed a 617 turbo and a five speed manual.[SIGPIC]

..I also have a 427 Cobra replica with an aluminum chassis.

LaRondo
I had the same problem when I installed new bumper strips on a 240D that came to me without them. In spite of the wedge and plug device on the end of the plastic retaining strips the the strips would slip out of the slots in the bumper. I used new parts but I suspect the plastic retainers were not as good as the ones used on the car originally.
My solution was to install the strips and then secure them with sheet metal screws holding the strips from slipping out of their slots. Of course the bumper must be off the car and pilot holes must be drilled in the strips from the back side. Two screws per strip did the trick. Then, using talcum powder for lubrication and my eight pound sledge the bumper strip was installed. I takes some hefty whacks with a heavy hammer to seat the bumper strips and you must center it carefully before you start with the hammer. I found that the work was easier if the rubber strip is warmed in the sun for a while. An email to Mr. Hunter got me the tip on the talcum powder and heavy hammer. Good luck

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Ed
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'81 300 CD
'83 240 D four speed (sold)
'85 BMW 524td
'96 BMW 328is

Thanks guys! The parts look ok and I had it back on there a few times already, the clips just don't stay in there. I think they put a few spots of adhesive on it, originally, to hold the clip strips in place.
I will figure something out, it seems there no magic to it, so I should be able to ...

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No need to remove the chrome bumper. Lie on your back under the bumper with the plastic mounting rails in place, work through the existing slots in the metal section, and drill pilot holes in the plastic rail. Drive some short sheet metal screws to lock the rail in place. If your screws protrude on the outside, you can grind or clip them off. To install the rubber trim, lube up the mounting slot with dish detergent. I found you could press the trim on by hooking the top lip over first, then using your palm to get the bottom lip on. It works better on a warm summer day, and make sure you get the trim right side up (don't ask me how I know)!

I used a quick and dirty approach on my second car that is harder to explain. I took a magic marker and marked the position of the slots on outside of the chrome bumper, then placed the plastic mounts in position. Then I drilled holes (and countersunk the heads) in the plastic rails from the OUTSIDE in locations where the screw would go through the mounting hole, but right at the end of the slot so it wedged the rail on. Both fixes have stood the test of time. Of course both these approaches require that most of the L-shaped hooks on the plastic rails are intact. If not, you should use option #1 and a lot of screws!

Hope this helps!

Frank

If your going to use screws, a tleast make them stainless steel. They will rust in place and cause a longer term mess.

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Adam Lumsden
(83) 300D
Vice-President of the MBCA International Stars Section

I installed several bolts with a very shallow head on mine, and the rubber has plenty of room to fit on the plastic rail. I also tried that two part compound like plumbers clay.... it didn't work as good as the bolts...

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85 300CD Turbo "Das Polluter" 230K sold for $3,000

98 BMW 323is

NO screws PLEASE! Remove the rubber impact strip and clean the inside of it thoroughly with a stiff brush. Let dry.

Drill a vertical (YES VERTICAL) hole into the end of each holder strip. The holder strip is the plastic strip, not the rubber strip. The ends from which to to drill the holes will be those near the center of the bumper. Use some sturdy piano wire through each hole and tighten. This effectively pulls the two strip ends together and prevents them from sliding out of the holes. Your holder strip is now secure and won't move.

Thoroughly spray silicon lubricant on the inside of the impact strip. Start from one end and use a soft head mallet and slide/force/impact the strip onto the plastic holder strip.

You are done.

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84 300DT Puke Yellow. Totalled after 438,000
84 300DT Orient Red. 169,000 (actual mileage may vary)
2002 Explorer EB (wife's)

I know I am reviving a really old thread but I just wanted to say thanks! After struggling for almost two hours with different ways to try to put on my rear bumper guard, I caved in and searched this forum. Thanks to you I was able to get the darn thing on in about ten minutes using the lubricant/pound method. I hope others facing the same problem find this thread!

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Ed "Don't Benz's just feel better..."

Current wives...
2000 ML430 Skyview "The Mel"
2000 CLK430 Cab "The Cab"
85 300D Turbo "The Diesel"

Past wives...
92 300E
85 190E

"One should as a rule respect public opinion in so far as is necessary to
avoid starvation and to keep out of prison, but anything that goes beyond
this is voluntary submission to an unnecessary tyranny, and is likely to
interfere with happiness in all kinds of ways."
Bertrand Russell

Okay, maybe not so great.
Alright, I remove the impact strip from the hooked holder strip, wire them so they can't come out, then pound the impact strip on.
Would removing the plastic side covers mean I wouldn't have to struggle sliding the ends in?
Or do you slide as much of the end/s in, then well lubricated, pound the impact strip on?
One of my rear bumper supports decayed away and I have bolted it back on to the shock, now I need to get the impact strip back on.
Thanks.

Attached Thumbnails

   

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83 SD

84 CD

Glass cleaner is slippery and works well too.

Richard

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85 300D 75K Anthracite Grey 0-60 in 13 seconds **For Sale**
84 300D 333K Black (The Velveteen Rabbit) 0-60 in 14 seconds
00 Toyota Sienna 208K (Sold)
15 Subaru Outback 43K
11 Subaru Outback 67K
98 Ford Taurus 100K (Gertie - Was Grandma's - drove it to church and shopping - really) Daughter's car now.
30 Model A Ford 2 Door Sedan (Sold) 0-60 in . . . Never reached 60

These two middle "pins" are ziptied on mine and the zip ties have broken off leaving the right side to drop on occassion. This only happens when it's hot outside maybe the heat forces the plastic to expand and pops out when it does.

I just lay on my back under the bumper and using bent long nose pliers (similar to the middle one in this photo) I push the pins into their slots and use the bumper shock mount (bumper side) as leverage for one of the pins and from there pull the rest into position.

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http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7271/7...144c3fc1dc.jpg

Thanks MB, do you recall if the hook strip and impact strip were together, loosely fitted, at the first time of being zip tied?
I would think a helper to hold the outside in place is necessary.

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83 SD

84 CD

My guess (since I don't know the correct answer) is that the impact strip and plastic strip are very snug in place. What I would do is remove the plastic strip and fasten it securely on the metal bumper. Then pound on the impact strip over it. The US bumper impact strips are MUCH harder to install than the Euro counterpart.

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http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7271/7...144c3fc1dc.jpg

Thanks again.

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83 SD

84 CD