Urgent: How to remove rear bumper to install Hitch

LeMansX5 · #1 09-01-2005, 09:48 AM

In the middle of installing the hitch with Chefwong, trying to get to the two bolts which hold the bumper. Is there a easy way to access as the bolts are right above the exhausts and getting to them is tough. Working on X5 4.4 and 4.8. Read Kevin's PDC retrofit and hitch install instructions and still its a bi*ch.

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Sterling's X · #2 09-01-2005, 01:38 PM

Hey Buddy,
I'm sure you've figured this out by now, but you have to drop the exhausts about 10 inches to get to those bolts. Believe I used an extention on the ratchet as well. The hitch package was my first mod when I got my X. I love it, and the parts are perfect, right down to the wire length.

Good Luck

Sterling's X · #3 09-01-2005, 01:42 PM

Oh wait... to get off the bumper! I thought it was only one huge bolt in the middle... Now I'll have to check the instructions again.

chefwong · #4 09-01-2005, 05:05 PM

Argh......here's the deal fella's. How in the world do u drop the exhaust. I saw where the exhausts mounts were under the front plastic cover plate and also the ones in the rear. However, never having touch or worked with exhausts, we couldn't figure out how to drop them properly.

To drop them without removing the bumper, it looked like it would just drop within the cavity of the bumper exhaust hole which was not enough. FWIW, I have the Dinan exhaust which clamps on and LeMans had the stock 4.8 exhausts.

We ended not completing out DIY ....didn't want to mess up the exhaust.
Any exauhsts tips fellas ?

Intel55 · #5 09-01-2005, 05:20 PM

there are two nuts behind the exhaust and three in front. If you take those off and drop the exhaust and push the tips towards the outsides of the truck you will have enough room ro get at the two bolts.

I used a 12" extention to get at the bolts.

Intel55 · #6 09-01-2005, 05:22 PM

if you want I can PM my cell# and help you out.

LeMansX5 · #7 09-01-2005, 07:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Intel55

there are two nuts behind the exhaust and three in front. If you take those off and drop the exhaust and push the tips towards the outsides of the truck you will have enough room ro get at the two bolts.

I used a 12" extention to get at the bolts.

If we drop the exhaust won't the tips come in the way. You can only move the tips so much as they are welded.

The notch for bolts is right above the tips.

Intel55 · #8 09-01-2005, 08:20 PM

hmmm on my 4.4 when I pushed the tips real hard against the plastic trim I was able to just wedge my extension in enough to get at the bolts. Maybe your oval tips are taking up too much room.

I would then unbolt the exhaust pipe from the resonator; drop that part down and pull the exhaust back out from the exhaust holes and onto the ground.

LeMansX5 · #9 09-01-2005, 09:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Intel55

hmmm on my 4.4 when I pushed the tips real hard against the plastic trim I was able to just wedge my extension in enough to get at the bolts. Maybe your oval tips are taking up too much room.

I would then unbolt the exhaust pipe from the resonator; drop that part down and pull the exhaust back out from the exhaust holes and onto the ground.

You guessed right our tips are taking too much room and we both have 4.8 tips.