Fix for Broken Bumper Tabs?

[TiminIndy]

I think I saw a thread in here a while back where someone came up with a hack to remedy broken bumper tabs (the ones that secure the bumper to the corner panels, aft of the headlights).

I had to remove my bumper about 2 years ago to replace the bottom plastic mesh piece and discovered one or more of the tabs were already broken, and I think both are now broken on both sides since then. I get a little gap there from time to time and have been able to push it in and get it to stay in place for a while, but it kept popping out. Then my indy had it jacked up by the front corners one by one the other day and now one side sticks out quite a bit and I can't push it back in. I'm hoping to find any easy way to secure the 2 panels together.

[srmmmm]

I used E6000 adhesive on the CEO's 325i when a car wash brush pulled the corner of her rear bumper cover loose.


2002 X5 3.0 343,650 miles
2014 428i 37,800 miles


2004 325i sold at 123,600 miles
2001 325i sold at 66,000 miles


1970 Firebird Under restoration

[amancuso]

Yeah, new bumper mounts are $40.00 each at the dealership.
51117116667 and 51117116668

[TiminIndy]

Oh, wow - I was thinking they were part of the bumper, so an entire bumper would need to be replaced. It's been a while since I had the bumper off and I don't remember what this area looked like.

[wpoll]

Originally Posted by amancuso

Yeah, new bumper mounts are $40.00 each at the dealership.
51117116667 and 51117116668

And since they are just a simple plastic moulding, aftermarket versions work just as well...

https://www.aliexpress.com/item/5111...850568084.html

[TiminIndy]

Yea, I was looking at aftermarket options on ebay last night. Probably worth a shot.

I was thinking the male tabs were on the bumper, but the bracket has the male tabs. Hopefully the female tabs on the bumper aren't broken.

I haven't found pictures of how this piece fastens to the corner panel, but I assume I will be able to get to the fasteners after I remove the bumper. I found the handy article that I used to remove the bumper and some pics of the area here:

https://xoutpost.com/articles/x5/bod...r-removal.html

Fast, Free Image Hosting - ImageBam

[amancuso]

Tim, the bumper should be intact. My VW has a similar but better design as the clips haven't broken after having the bumper off several times for upgrades. I need to replace the passenger side on my '04 X5 but haven't gotten around to it. It just sticks out a little bit over time.

[wpoll]

NewTIS might help visualize this....

https://www.newtis.info/tisv2/a/en/e...bumper/CLXVR2J

[TiminIndy]

I ordered this pair of aftermarket brackets on Monday for $21 and they arrived today (3 days later). When I get time to put them on, I will report back on fitment.

https://www.ebay.com/itm/162825424993