Fitting a new rear PDC housing

UrbanFlow · #1 02-03-2011, 07:54 AM

Hi,
Took my X for a hand car wash the other day thinking it would be treated gentler - but the over-enthusiastic wash monkeys knocked off both of the rear corner parking sensor plastic housings leaving the PDCs just balanced in the holes. I even went back to try and find them but they had washed away into the drains presumably.

Anyway, bought two new ones from the dealer for a few quid (one Left one Right) and went to fit them.

My question is, it looks like I have to disconnect the PDC unit and remove it, fit the housing and refit. Is that right? as I can't seem to get them out far enough forwards.

Any help/advice appreciated.

UF

StumpyPete · #2 02-03-2011, 07:58 AM

A long time since I fitted one of these but I seem to remember there is a trick to it involving rotating the sensor...it's not that difficult did it a couple of times on my E53s you stick your hand up inside the bumper and twist I think.

chilliwilli · #3 02-03-2011, 09:52 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by StumpyPete

A long time since I fitted one of these but I seem to remember there is a trick to it involving rotating the sensor...it's not that difficult did it a couple of times on my E53s you stick your hand up inside the bumper and twist I think.

Something like that...I suggest unplugging the sensor and fitting it to the housing first, to see how it should come together. Then attempt on the bumper, a bit of patience is required.

UrbanFlow · #4 02-03-2011, 03:07 PM

Great, thanks.
Will their be any OBC errors if I disconnect and reconnect?

Thanks

UF

chilliwilli · #5 02-04-2011, 01:29 AM

There shouldn't be any errors.

Roadkill · #6 02-03-2011, 08:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by chilliwilli

Something like that...I suggest unplugging the sensor and fitting it to the housing first, to see how it should come together. Then attempt on the bumper, a bit of patience is required.

This is the correct way to do it. Just did mine.

Sunny_wales · #7 02-03-2011, 05:38 PM

just out of curiousity, how much did the housing cost you? ive got a damaged pdc housing on the rear of my x too

UrbanFlow · #8 02-03-2011, 06:35 PM

Hi mate,
£2.79 each plus VAT from my local BMW dealer.

Ash977 · #9 07-26-2011, 02:02 AM

UrbanFlow – were you able to fit those PDC supports on your car? I tried fitting the right corner one tonight with no success.

Should I put the two piece together first and then try to fit it on the bumper?

Appreciate any help.

UrbanFlow · #10 07-26-2011, 10:31 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ash977

UrbanFlow – were you able to fit those PDC supports on your car? I tried fitting the right corner one tonight with no success.

Should I put the two piece together first and then try to fit it on the bumper?

Appreciate any help.

Hi Ash,
Get your hand up behind the bumper and get hold of the back of the sensor.
This is fiddly and dirty and you can't see what you're doing so it's all done by feel.
Position the sensor so that it is central in the hole and the plastic lips line up to support it.
It's the actual housing that holds it all in place - so now push the housing cover into place whilst holding the sensor firm - very firm.
It takes some pressure to snap the two together - effectively clipping them together with the bumper plastic between the two.

There's no need to disconnect the sensor and even if you do you won't get any errors.