Rear Facia Removal

[ranchhand]

Have purchased the BMW hitch and down loaded the hitch installation
instructions.

Are there instructions for removing the rear facia?

Thanks

[Denalio]

Originally Posted by ranchhand

Have purchased the BMW hitch and down loaded the hitch installation
instructions.

Are there instructions for removing the rear facia?

Thanks

For what vehicle???

[X5FX]

This is the E70 forum, I assume thats what he is refering to.

[Denalio]

The instructions do not include removal of fascia instruction because the instructions assume it will be done by a Certified BMW Tech. BTW, you do know that BEFORE you install the hitch, the computer needs to be programmed for the hitch and updated right? It's in the instructions.

[ranchhand]

2007 X5 3.0.

Am aware the x5 will require programming.

The actual hitch receiver and wiring are a simple to do.

Just need the method of removing the plastic bumper facia from the body panel.

[Randy]

Ranchhand, I am in the same boat as you. I have the hitch to install myself, no big deal if we only knew exactly how many fasteners and where they are located for that rear fascia!

I kind of probed around last weekend to see if there were any special tools needed that I didn't have. What I found was 2 plastic nuts that appears to hold on the support assembly for the fascia. The studs they attach to protrude off the rear frame area horizontally. I believe there was 4 small bolts that attach the plastic to the heat shield. I also found 1 bolt on each side of the bumper that attaches it to the fender. This is located under the rear fender extension/flares which are held in place by those plastic pins. By the way, those plastic pins that hold on the flare don't appear to be reusable. I pulled 2 of them out on one side and they seem to be made similar to a rivet. I was able to reinsert them for a temporary fix but they are not tight as they should be. The dealer didn't have these in stock so I have 6 on order right now, think they were 89 cents each.

Now I don't think I will jump back into it this project until those pins arrive. Hopefully somebody will chime in with any more info as to how this thing is attached.

[ranchhand]

Thanks Randy.

I went to the dealer today and at least saw one with the facia off.

The tech was at lunch but my rep is going look for documentation.

Today was a busy one for them so don't know if I will here anything
soon.

In addition to what you mentioned there is a bolt behind each of the two
reflectors in the facia.

Yes those are plastic riverts holding the wheelwell trim on. I am going to
use plastic push pins and let the dealer change them when they do the programming.

Will keep you posted as I progress in this endeavor.

If sucessful will document as best as possible.

[ranchhand]

Randy,
Just completed the installation. I required 4 hours.
(Someone that knew what they were doing could do it in 3:15hr)

Thanks to your post and what I remembered from the dealer, it all came together.

Took pictures and will try to pull some steps together by tomorrow.

Right now it is "cool one time"!!

[ranchhand]

Attached are a series of pictures showing the items requiring removal.
The facia is tough but be careful around the upper clip.
It is the same procedure for both sides.

After bolts and clips are released work the facia lose, then toward you.
(The rear of the facia is slip keyed, just pull it toward you after the sides
are released.)

Start to finish was four hours for the complete job.

Good luck.

[ranchhand]

I used a universal trim retainer (Body-Tite #45680)when I reassembled
the trim. Have these on hand before you start the job.

Plan to have the dealer install original plastic rivets.