Rear bumper removal

[X5H]

Hi,

Thanks for this. I have the rear cross member but my impact absorbers are different and maybe thats what I need to buy. It seems as though the ones I have are specific for a hitch. I will see how much they are and give that a go. If they are expensive then Ill cut the ball of the towbar removed so its hidden

[JCL]

In the RealOEM link you provided in post #10 (RealOEM.com * BMW E53 X5 3.0d Carrier, bumper rear) they show as $51 each. With the usual extreme UK price translation, they should be between 50-100 GBP each, just as a guess. A gas axe would take that bracket off much cheaper than that.

[X5H]

Your probably not wrong. I think its part #2 in the diagram which is more expensive. Im at the dealers tomorrow to pick up a door handle carrier and will enquire about the shock brackets too.

[JCL]

Yes, it is part #2. If you are at the dealer make sure you also get the large rubber grommet that fills the hole where the trailer wiring came through. There is also a plastic filler piece that clips into the bumper and covers the hole where the hitch ball was, depending on which bumper you have (unless you already have these items)

[X5H]

The wiring for the hitch cam though the side air vents(if thats the technical term). The only gromet i can see at the rear is the one for the PDC wiring and thats all intact.

Thanks fo your help guys. Just hope the brackets arent an arm and a leg!

[X5H]

Got a price from the dealers for the shock brackets and it did cause a shock!

They are £109 each. Have found someone breaking an X5 and he is willing to sell me them for £20 :-). Is the bumper carrier different between an X which has a hitch fitted to one that doesnt or is it only the shock brackets and rear cross member.

Thanks in advance

[tomcat]

They are different as the hitch kit comes with a new one, just don't remember how. That was a pain in the process b/c u have to undo all the plastic rivets that hold the skin onto it and re-attach the new one.

Scott

[JCL]

The bumper carrier is different in the North American OE hitch kit, but I don't think yours is in the UK. The UK instructions don't mention changing the bumper carrier, and besides, you don't have the OE hitch.