DIY - Attaching w123 Bumper Strip - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

Chad300tdt · #1 11-03-2010, 05:37 PM

Since I had to replace the bumper strip retaining clips on my 300CD, I thought I'd show how it's done with photos.

Here's the rear bumper with no strip or retaining clips.

This is what the retaining clips look like. There is a left and right side clip.

The clips get inserted into the slots on the bumper and slide toward the center to lock in place.

The outside ends of the clips have a push pin fastener built in. The center pin gets pushed in to spread the fastener and grip the bumper.

There is no need to hammer the strip onto the retaining clips. The strip just needs to be bent so the slot opens and it can be rolled onto the clips. Start in the center and bend it enough to allow it to slip over the retaining clips.

I used my knee to hold the center in place while I rolled the rest of the strip from the center to one end.

Then I went back to the center and rolled the other side to the end. If you bend it back like I am in the following pic, you can push it on with ease. It gets a little tougher to go around the corners of the bumper, but it's all doable by hand with no mallets or hammers.

Bumper strip in place and ready to continue the rest of the work I need to do.

andrewjtx · #2 11-03-2010, 05:41 PM

Sweet! Thanks Chad!

Stretch · #3 11-03-2010, 05:45 PM

Nice job - nice write up - nice set of pictures.

I was wondering do you think the rubber go on more easily on the corners with a bit of KY jelly?

panZZer · #4 11-03-2010, 05:46 PM

Warm soapy water in a spraybottle helps. If someone doesnt have the attaching understrips they could use 3M double stick tape.

Chad300tdt · #5 11-03-2010, 05:48 PM

Thanks guys.

I bought the bumper strip retaining clips from All Parts Express. Excellent customer service from Roy as usual.

EDIT: I'm sure KY jelly or warm soapy water would help at the corners, but I didn't use anything and it went on fine. You just need to use more strength to bend the strip since it's shorter and you have less leverage there.

my83300cd · #6 11-03-2010, 06:02 PM

I had to do the rear ones years ago, and when I removed the strip found that the two lengths of clips were tied together with wire in the center to keep tension on them. The wire had rusted out which was why the bumper strip had sagged when the clips got loose.

Dont know if it was factory, but a new piece of stainless wire, some dawn dish washing liquid, and all was well. Instead of rolling the bumber strip back on I slid the it on the length of the bumper.

RML · #7 11-03-2010, 09:19 PM

Nice write-up, Chad. When I was putting on a bumper strip it was not as easy. Maybe I was not bending it back enough. You made this look very easy.

I like the reflection of you in the nice shiny bumper.

I am always curious why we white out our license plate numbers in a picture. I have done it myself, yet when we are out driving it exposed to the whole world. Go figure.

Richard

Cr from Texas · #8 11-04-2010, 12:33 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by my83300cd

I had to do the rear ones years ago, and when I removed the strip found that the two lengths of clips were tied together with wire in the center to keep tension on them. The wire had rusted out which was why the bumper strip had sagged when the clips got loose.

Dont know if it was factory, but a new piece of stainless wire, some dawn dish washing liquid, and all was well. Instead of rolling the bumber strip back on I slid the it on the length of the bumper.

The wire was not factory but most MB mechanics I've met do this to fix a strip sliding out of place problem. Mine has copper wire added.

mikeyfev1 · #9 11-04-2010, 01:27 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RML

I am always curious why we white out our license plate numbers in a picture. I have done it myself, yet when we are out driving it exposed to the whole world. Go figure.

We don't have possibly contentious discussions with other drivers while we drive around with our license plates exposed.

However, many drivers do express some of their feelings with hand gestures.

Mark DiSilvestro · #10 11-04-2010, 01:32 AM

Note that on early W123 bumpers (I think '80 and before that have the bumper-shocks bolted to the bumper) there's raised track molded into the aluminum. The rubber-strip has a slot that grips this track and it may require a mallet to persuade the strip into place.

Happy Motoring, Mark

MBeige · #11 11-04-2010, 12:31 PM

Nice work Chad, this is one of the things I wanted to do when I put back the US bumpers after trying on a pair of Euro bumpers, but just didn't have the time to do so. Also nice to see the condition of the chrome is very good.

Quote:

Originally Posted by RML

I am always curious why we white out our license plate numbers in a picture. I have done it myself, yet when we are out driving it exposed to the whole world. Go figure.

Richard

When we post a photo of our car, those who know us will immediately recognize the car but there are also others who we don't know personally since this forum, like others, is also a public forum. When we're "out there" on the road, we're a random person/vehicle unless somebody knows us and recognizes the car. This somebody could be a member/friend on the board or a lurker who just happens to recognize the car.

Note too that if you post a photo on an image hosting site, other people can view them as well especially if the image was tagged to be searchable by the public. I blur my plates out too.

This is basically to remain anonymous outside the board.

brownrice78 · #12 11-04-2010, 03:20 PM

Good stuff.

dieseldan44 · #13 07-10-2011, 09:29 AM

Thank you for this Chad.

bsdguy · #14 11-24-2014, 05:38 PM

Thanks for a nice right-up. How do you get the side covers off?

Thanks,

toomany MBZ · #15 11-25-2014, 08:11 AM

The attachment may help.