Front bumper off - oh dear oh dear

[thejpster]

Having (hopefully) cured this stalling/going dead problem, I've finally gotten around to removing my front bumper. What a mess!

I don't suppose anyone has any spare bumpers in Morocco red? The lights and chrome on mine are all fine, but my bumper is slightly cracked and the paint has crazed on one corner, plus the runs on the lower edge are just appalling. It's like they did it in the dark or something.

In terms of bits, I also need an undertray, a nsf arch liner, an nsf cooling duct (I have the temp sensor), the vane for the lower grille, a bumper guide block (It's about a fiver, but the eejit still decided to replace it with a cable ties). The adjuster on one of the bumper struts is seized, so I think we'll need one of them if we can't free it - I don't know if they come separate from the strut itself. Also the lower radiator carrier is rusted to hell, although weirdly the metalwork above it looks fine. The top radiator carrier I think I'll just sand back and spray, although the bushes have perished.

It also needs work on *both* sills as, after a little light tapping with a hammer, there's now a hole on both sides.

Still, that drive today reminded me, it's fairly astonishing in its ability to cover rough fenland roads and all I could hear was the gentle creak of the leather seat. In my Rover 45, the same journey is tolerable, not comfortable. In our Skoda Fabia it's almost nauseating.

[robv12]

you have a pm

[thejpster]

I also now have parcel Thanks Rob!

Off to see an X300 being broken just up the road tomorrow. Will take a spanner and should get a few more bits and pieces.

[robv12]

hope the bits and bobs in the box helped getting the car back looking good

[thejpster]

Managed to get a decent front bumper, offside front wing, undertray and a pair of headlamps for a round ton. Once the bumper struts turn up, it just needs re-assembly.

How hard can it be?

[robgx300xjr]

I have followed the Jag workshop manual and many on-line posts - I have un-bolted (very carefully) the two 19mm bolts (almost either side of the number plate plinth) and the bumper will not budge - it is rock solid still on the car. Am I missing something obvious??

[robv12]

Rob

there are sleeves on the bolts that sit in the bumper bracket, they should come out with the bolts, but often do not, they drop down a few mm and prevent the bumper coming forward and away, this MAY be you issue

[robgx300xjr]

Thanks Rob, as I only have two bolts and no sleeves could be the issue. I will have a look tonight. Cheers

[robgx300xjr]

Bumper is OFF - exactly right Mr J, the sleeves had not come out with the bolts.

A bit if wiggling and one came out, the other was more stuck, but pulled out OK. See photo below for what the sleeves look like.

Also, once the sleeves came out, the right hand side was moving OK, but the left as stuck fast - with no reason. I found wiggling the bumper from the right loosened the left and then slowly withdrew the whole bumper.

Good news - no issues to replace smashed indicator

Not so good, in full light my radiator cradle is looking shocking, also corrosion to legs it bolts to - At least the access is good. Thanks for the tips as ever. Cheers

[robv12]

good news, glad to be of help

[dhdove]

Rob
You are a fountain of knowledge
TonyS

[robgx300xjr]

Help - trying to get it back on.

The bumper is sitting on the two mounting brackets and in the guides on the sides.

BUT, on both sides a 5mm gap has appeared between the bumper and front wings - t'can't have dropped as it's in the guides.

Alos, I can't get the bolts to bite - so it feels like the bumper has tipped backward slightly - thus dropping the gap and making the bolts at the front not bite.

Am i missing something obvious cheers Rob

[robgx300xjr]

ALL DONE !!!

Started with sticking off side side - noticed the bumper mounting was higher by a few mm on this side. As soft aluminium and with no file. I sanded (with a block) a few mm off the mount. The bumper slid on much better. Then raised the adjusters on the lower wings, and we are all GOOD.

Not 100% happy - so you will see me checking panel gaps at Ickleworth House...........