I am going to purchase the plastic strip that is used on the back of the bumper to anchor the front black rubber impact strip. I've never done this repair before so may need some assistance. Is it easier to remove the front bumper from the car before attempting this repair?

bump

No need to remove the bumper. You can actually have an easier job when the bumper is held firmly in place.

I'm assuming the bumper clamping rail (pelican part # 123-885-43-23-M22) is the part I need to complete this repair.

I assume you're talking about this part ? : https://www.pelicanparts.com/More_Info/1238854323M22.htm?pn=123-885-43-23-M22&bt=Y&fs=0&SVSVSI=3305

Yes, it is the one that holds the flexible rubber impact strip and yes, you'll find it far easier if you remove the entire bumper (17MM ATF nuts) and drape it over a flat raised surface, if I'm standing I use an open 100 gallon wheelie bin, if sitting I use milk crates .

The idea is : the flat inner part of the bumper will be held steady as you're fooling with the other parts ,

Look at the picture, the outer end has a hard plastic retaining clip with an expanding pin that's easy to remove then you remove the old strip and plastic retainer and clean the accumulated mung off the bumper's chrome face, use chrome polish .

Install the hard plastic strip and slide it sideways so all the hooks fall into all the rectangular holes in the metal bumper then press the end retaining clip into the plastic strip then use your thumb to push the expanding pin in until it's flush, this will hold the hard plastic retainer strip from moving sideways and coming loose elegant and delicate .

? That wasn't so bad, you're going to hate the next part ~ clean the rubber strip well, especially the inside groove where dirt and leaves build up making it hard to install ~ I use an old tooth brush and soapy water and the garden hose .

Dry it well and leave out to warm up and soften in the sun, once flexible begin by forcing the upper edge of the groove over the hard plastic rail, work from end to end or begin in the middle, whatever you find easiest .

Once you have it about 1/2 way on begin to flex the lower portion of the rubber's groove outwards whilst still pushing the center of it in so the groove pops over the edge of the hard plastic strip .

It's fiddly but not impossible until you get to the corners, this is why you need to remove the entire bumper as the rubber's ends protrude into the black rubber body ends....

Don't get flustered, keep working at it and you'll get there .

I just did this on my '82 240D and with the cleaning and polishing of the massive chrome bumper and rubber impact strip, it really looks nice .

You can clean and polish / wax the paint around the bumper when it's off very easily too .

I bet there's a you tube video showing how this all goes .

__________________
-Nate
1982 240D 408,XXX miles
Ignorance is the mother of suspicion and fear is the father

I did then what I knew how to do ~ now that I know better I do better

? Is it fixed now ? .

__________________
-Nate
1982 240D 408,XXX miles
Ignorance is the mother of suspicion and fear is the father

I did then what I knew how to do ~ now that I know better I do better

Thanks for the write up! Never had figured how those strips worked.

__________________
Graham
85 300D,72 350SL, 98 E320, Outback 2.5