Wheel Well Liner

wyshyvanuk · 05-08-2023, 11:06 AM

Attempting to replace the wheel well liner (51717837560 Cover, wheel housing) on a 2008 Z4M roadster. Looks like there's no way to accomplish the replacement without also removing the entire bumper cover. The issue is the Brake Cooling Duct (51118044702) (pic attached) that apparently must be inserted through the wheel well liner from the tire side. The duct has two "studs" at the top that fit into brackets in front of the liner. In other words, the liner can't be removed without also removing the duct, and the duct can't be removed without releasing the two studs. Has anyone discovered any magic to replace the liner without removing the bumper cover? Thanks for any insight!!

grannyknot · 05-08-2023, 03:09 PM

After releasing all the fasteners on the wheel liner and don't forget the 2 screws under the car just behind the wheel well, you should be able to remove the whole liner and brake duct as one piece.
But once you have enough room you can get your hand in there and disconnect the 2 studs.
Taking the front bumper cover off does make it easier though.
If you do take the bumper cover off be very careful with popping the top of the cover off from the front quarter panel, the plastic connectors are brittle, and for that matter so are the new ones that you'll buy to replace the broken ones.

wyshyvanuk · 05-08-2023, 03:24 PM

Thank you, sir. I've had that bumper cover off twice before, and I'm dreading the third. This will certainly be the time that results in the disintegration of those clips. I'll try to wiggle myself into enough room to disconnect the studs from the wheel well side. TIS, by the way, just doesn't address the issue.

wyshyvanuk · 05-09-2023, 10:22 AM

Any point in spraying something like a silicone lubricant into the space between the bumper cover and the chassis at the location of the plastic clips? Might ease the removal and re-attachment of the bumper cover.

XMetal · 05-09-2023, 10:31 AM

If it comes off easily, it can also detach itself easily

wyshyvanuk · 05-09-2023, 11:56 AM

Hah. That's a distressingly reasonable insight. Thank you, sir!!

3002 tii · 05-11-2023, 07:49 AM

I’m surprised you have to pull the bumper off. Been while since since I looked back there but would’ve thought you could pull the liner out and access from the rear without removing the bumper cover.

wyshyvanuk · 05-23-2023, 07:01 PM

Success!! New liner and Brake Cooling Duct installed (as well as a BMW CCA badge).
1. Much easier to remove the bumper cover (at least one side) to access the studs and bracket for the Brake Cooling Duct.
2. Added the BMW CCA 50 Year M badge to the grille.
3. Discovered that the top hole in the Bumper Cover and the hole in the wheel well liner and the hole in the Support (51117165180) should all match up. Woohoo.
4. Also found that the part number 07147172274 (Blind rivets) are the replacements for the "push Through" older rivets. These newer guys provide a much tighter connection between the liner and the bumper cover.

I believe its time for Chardonnay!!

05-08-2023, 11:06 AM	#1
wyshyvanuk Second Lieutenant 449 Rep 229 Posts Drives: 2008 Z4 MR Join Date: Apr 2018 Location: Tucson AZ iTrader: (0)	Wheel Well Liner Attempting to replace the wheel well liner (51717837560 Cover, wheel housing) on a 2008 Z4M roadster. Looks like there's no way to accomplish the replacement without also removing the entire bumper cover. The issue is the Brake Cooling Duct (51118044702) (pic attached) that apparently must be inserted through the wheel well liner from the tire side. The duct has two "studs" at the top that fit into brackets in front of the liner. In other words, the liner can't be removed without also removing the duct, and the duct can't be removed without releasing the two studs. Has anyone discovered any magic to replace the liner without removing the bumper cover? Thanks for any insight!! Attached Images
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05-08-2023, 03:09 PM	#2
grannyknot Captain 951 Rep 781 Posts Drives: 2008 Z4M coupe Join Date: Oct 2021 Location: toronto iTrader: (0)	After releasing all the fasteners on the wheel liner and don't forget the 2 screws under the car just behind the wheel well, you should be able to remove the whole liner and brake duct as one piece. But once you have enough room you can get your hand in there and disconnect the 2 studs. Taking the front bumper cover off does make it easier though. If you do take the bumper cover off be very careful with popping the top of the cover off from the front quarter panel, the plastic connectors are brittle, and for that matter so are the new ones that you'll buy to replace the broken ones. Attached Images __________________ 2008 E86 M coupe
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05-08-2023, 03:24 PM	#3
wyshyvanuk Second Lieutenant 449 Rep 229 Posts Drives: 2008 Z4 MR Join Date: Apr 2018 Location: Tucson AZ iTrader: (0)	Thank you, sir. I've had that bumper cover off twice before, and I'm dreading the third. This will certainly be the time that results in the disintegration of those clips. I'll try to wiggle myself into enough room to disconnect the studs from the wheel well side. TIS, by the way, just doesn't address the issue.
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05-09-2023, 10:22 AM	#4
wyshyvanuk Second Lieutenant 449 Rep 229 Posts Drives: 2008 Z4 MR Join Date: Apr 2018 Location: Tucson AZ iTrader: (0)	Any point in spraying something like a silicone lubricant into the space between the bumper cover and the chassis at the location of the plastic clips? Might ease the removal and re-attachment of the bumper cover.
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05-09-2023, 10:31 AM	#5
XMetal Colonel 1133 Rep 2,866 Posts Drives: Anything Join Date: Apr 2010 Location: SoCal iTrader: (0) Garage List 2008 Z4M Coupe [10.00] 2018 Audi S3 [0.00] 2004 X5 [8.50]	If it comes off easily, it can also detach itself easily __________________
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05-09-2023, 11:56 AM	#6
wyshyvanuk Second Lieutenant 449 Rep 229 Posts Drives: 2008 Z4 MR Join Date: Apr 2018 Location: Tucson AZ iTrader: (0)	Hah. That's a distressingly reasonable insight. Thank you, sir!!
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05-11-2023, 07:49 AM	#7
3002 tii Lieutenant General 2282 Rep 12,565 Posts Drives: Z4 M, X5, GX460 Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: CT iTrader: (99) Garage List F15 X5 xDrive35i [8.75] E86 Z4 M [10.00] F10 550i (Retired) [9.17] F25 X3 xDrive35i (R ... [9.43] E82 135is (Retired) [9.50] E85 Z4 M (Retired) [9.41] E90 328i xDrive (Re ... [9.25] E86 Z4 3.0si (Retired) [9.24]	I’m surprised you have to pull the bumper off. Been while since since I looked back there but would’ve thought you could pull the liner out and access from the rear without removing the bumper cover. __________________ Follow for latest mods
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05-23-2023, 07:01 PM	#8
wyshyvanuk Second Lieutenant 449 Rep 229 Posts Drives: 2008 Z4 MR Join Date: Apr 2018 Location: Tucson AZ iTrader: (0)	Success!! New liner and Brake Cooling Duct installed (as well as a BMW CCA badge). 1. Much easier to remove the bumper cover (at least one side) to access the studs and bracket for the Brake Cooling Duct. 2. Added the BMW CCA 50 Year M badge to the grille. 3. Discovered that the top hole in the Bumper Cover and the hole in the wheel well liner and the hole in the Support (51117165180) should all match up. Woohoo. 4. Also found that the part number 07147172274 (Blind rivets) are the replacements for the "push Through" older rivets. These newer guys provide a much tighter connection between the liner and the bumper cover. I believe its time for Chardonnay!!
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