Greetings. Benz Forum. just wanted to say I LOVE my Benz.. and I love working on it without paying a mechanic. : ) I just started a tumblr all about the vehicle for the purposes of this forum. I have owned if for three years now original owner was very fastidious, second owner was a Benz Enthusiast Magazine Guy, and then me a father of three, working artist and consummate value seeker.

Now down to the nitty gritty of this specific post.

After a Manhattan Parking Hit and Run I replaced a left taillight lens and then took apart the damaged bumper, removed rubber side pieces and rusted out metal "baseplates? " that clasp the rubber to the body. I bought and installed the little plastic track. Attached plastic to the metal of the bumper.. Pushed the rubber onto the plastic.. NOW I AM CONFUSED. here are images



Question 1) The last prong of the plastic track at end of the outside curve on both sides does not latch into the metal of the bumper. The prong is split down the middle not broken but from the factory. Should I push that last prong through and wedge something between the split to force it into holding onto the metal by simply being to large to pull back out? Its the only solution I can think of to get that plastic snug to the metal before putting on that rubber which is sure to pull. Any experience with these issue.

Question 2) The rubber strip is too long is this due to my vehicle being a German issue car as opposed to a US - its a W123.133 should i just cut the bumper to length seems obvious but maybe I am missing something?

Sorry I am of no help regarding your bumper. But the URL for your tumblr page is missing a colon, so it is currently a dead link.

its not too complicated--cut the teats off flush with the inside surface and run some screws with washers into the strip from the back side--just dont drill all the way thru to the front.

fixed the link. thank you

yes thank you, adding screws would do it. I was wanting to stick with the program of what was in the package but I guess it does not matter. as long as its done.

Have you checked with the dealer to see if they can get you a Euro rubber piece?
I have got a couple diff. Euro bumper pieces for my mercedes from the dealer.

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No I have not. I did manage to attach the bumper and get the plastic flush but there is still a gap between the rubber and the metal at the corners. Wondering if it is from the fact that the bumper is not a Euro. So now I am on the search. Any other issues specific to a Euro model that I should look out for? Thanks for your help.