Rear bumper mounting, bodywork

[invisik]

Hey,

I found a 1982 240D that seems in good same mechanically, but needs some bodywork. Most notably, the rear bumper is in the back seat. I know it's difficult without seeing the car, but what would it take to put the bumper back on? There's still the two posts that stick out of the back of the car to connect it to. The bumper itself looks like it's fine.

Thanks much.

-m

[JimSmith]

invisik,

The chances are the bumper is one of the models with cast in clips that capture the ends of the shock absorbers that mount to the body frame. Over time, especially on the side of the exhaust pipe, the mixture of road salt, Diesel exhaust and road debris creates a fairly vigorous aluminum eating coating, and the clip gets completely eaten away. Once this happens the bumper falls off and you cannot re-attach it without fabricating a new clip. I have done this with aluminum angle iron on my 1982 240D, but it never lasted more than a few years. In the end, I got an older bumper in good shape that has a different set up. The bumpers were interchangeable, but the one I got came with the shock absorbing struts on it, so I just unbolted the three fasteners on each shock, pulled the old one and inserted the "new" one.

So, look the inside of the bumper over and if there are no integral clips left, you need to buy a new bumper. If there are clips you take the three bolts out of the shock mounts, fit the rubbery end into the bumper clips (they slide in from the side I believe) and then mount the bumper back on the car by sliding the shock tubes into the holes in the rear of the car, and lining the bolt holes up for the three bolts. Insert and tighten the bolts and you are done. Good luck! Jim

[invisik]

Hmm, ok, I'll have to try to get to the car and check that out. What's a bumper cost these days?

Thanks for the info....

-m

[JimSmith]

invisik,

A good one from the South, like the Texas area is probably $75 to $100, plus shipping. Be sure to get one with the shock absorber mounts on it so you don't have to deal with differences in mount to bumper attachment methods. Jim

[invisik]

Will any bumper from a W123-series fit? As long as I get those shocks and bushings? Or is there a certain year/model I should look for that's better then others?

Thanks.