Need help, or.. Why does BMW make it impossible to remove anything?

GammaZeta · 03-20-2013, 06:25 PM

Ok, so I just took of my front bumper to adjust my recently painted front reflectors.

In doing so, the brittle plastic that holds the bumpers up near the headlights broke. I had the same problem with the damn cheap BMW plastic when I did my side skirts.

Anyways, they're these: http://www.ecstuning.com/Search/51117165179/ES74722/

or #17 here: http://www.realoem.com/bmw/showparts...60&hg=51&fg=15

I have no idea how to remove them other than 1. destroying my paint with a tool to saw them off 2. removing the entire front of the car 3. removing the rest of my flesh on my hands and arms.

CAN ANYONE HELP ME TO REMOVE THESE BASTARD PIECES BMW PURPOSELY MADE IMPOSSIBLE TO REMOVE???

3point0 · 03-20-2013, 07:03 PM

I hear you, I've had several, let's just call them "issues" with similar clips in the past. I finally worked out that most of them work on the plastic spring principle and that they require reverse prying off. By that I mean that you normally need to insert a tool into the necessary slot to release tension on an otherwise engaged spring loaded tab. Now I've not removed these particular SOBs but from the picture of ECS website it looks like the 3 bottom clips are released from the other side of the base plate. HTH

GammaZeta · 03-20-2013, 07:32 PM

Yes, exactly.

It would be SO EASY to remove...IF BMW PUT THE RELEASE ON THE EASILY ACCESSIBLE, OTHER SIDE. God, sometimes I really, really hate BMW. It's almost like they're toying with me.

They actually made the tabs go IN towards the body! Making it impossible for anyone to get to them. They also made them out of very, very stiff plastic.

XMetal · 03-20-2013, 10:35 PM

I recalled the removal instructions from BMW calls for "breaking" them, which is exactly what I did when I had them replaced. It's a total PITA...have you ever had to "gently" break something?

3002 tii · 03-20-2013, 10:39 PM

The reason they broke is because you probably put your hands on the brackets instead underneath to grab bumper, so you actually pulled the bracket out and broke them. I replaced both sides this past weekend and basically used a flat head to pry the pieces very carefully so as to not damage the paint. It was tedious, 5 mins per side of cracking piece by piece but eventually got it done.

v3.2mc · 03-20-2013, 10:45 PM

i've taken the front cover off multiple times and not had this issue... weird...

i guess we should feel lucky they're only plastic and bolted in, rather than carbon fiber and glued in. anyone here brave enough to try removing the c-pillar wing on the i8 when it comes out? not me, thanks... i'll just watch from here.

ZStig · 03-20-2013, 10:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by XMetal

I recalled the removal instructions from BMW calls for "breaking" them, which is exactly what I did when I had them replaced. It's a total PITA...have you ever had to "gently" break something?

I took mine out in pieces with plyers. It was such a pain in the ass. Careful not to scratch the surrounding paint

XMetal · 03-20-2013, 11:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ZStig

I took mine out in pieces with plyers. It was such a pain in the ass. Careful not to scratch the surrounding paint

I had to use flat screw driver, plier, and even a drill! It did come out in pieces

GammaZeta · 03-21-2013, 07:01 PM

Ok, I think I found a pretty good tool that works.

Went to Harbor Freight to pick up this: http://www.harborfreight.com/7-piece...set-93958.html

Used the smaller 90 degree pick to put into the hole from underneath and the outside. It barely fits.

You can then twist it enough to break the tabs through the hole on the inside.

Rekla · 03-22-2013, 07:48 AM

http://www.zpost.com/forums/showthread.php?t=79994

a_riddler · 03-22-2013, 08:51 AM

have ordered 5 of those over the course of two years. hate that piece!

its a crap shoot for me, sometimes the bumper comes right off, sometimes I am ordering a new part...

wonder how many tischer ships, they always have them in stock...

03-20-2013, 06:25 PM	#1
GammaZeta Captain 63 Rep 862 Posts Drives: 1 Join Date: Jun 2011 Location: Ma iTrader: (1)	Need help, or.. Why does BMW make it impossible to remove anything? Ok, so I just took of my front bumper to adjust my recently painted front reflectors. In doing so, the brittle plastic that holds the bumpers up near the headlights broke. I had the same problem with the damn cheap BMW plastic when I did my side skirts. Anyways, they're these: http://www.ecstuning.com/Search/51117165179/ES74722/ or #17 here: http://www.realoem.com/bmw/showparts...60&hg=51&fg=15 I have no idea how to remove them other than 1. destroying my paint with a tool to saw them off 2. removing the entire front of the car 3. removing the rest of my flesh on my hands and arms. CAN ANYONE HELP ME TO REMOVE THESE BASTARD PIECES BMW PURPOSELY MADE IMPOSSIBLE TO REMOVE???
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03-20-2013, 07:03 PM	#2
3point0 Lieutenant 29 Rep 415 Posts Drives: 2005 z4 3.0 Join Date: Jun 2012 Location: Vancouver iTrader: (2) Garage List 2006 Audi S4 Avant [0.00] 2005 BMW Z4 [5.67]	I hear you, I've had several, let's just call them "issues" with similar clips in the past. I finally worked out that most of them work on the plastic spring principle and that they require reverse prying off. By that I mean that you normally need to insert a tool into the necessary slot to release tension on an otherwise engaged spring loaded tab. Now I've not removed these particular SOBs but from the picture of ECS website it looks like the 3 bottom clips are released from the other side of the base plate. HTH __________________ 2005 Z4 3.0 steptronic \| TiSilver on Black \| sport & premium package \| 108s \| Msport seats \| wind deflector OMP strut bar \| blacked out emblems \| de-french-fried \| sound gen \| DIY aux input \| custom speedo logos \| stubby antenna \| polished exhaust tips
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03-20-2013, 07:32 PM	#3
GammaZeta Captain 63 Rep 862 Posts Drives: 1 Join Date: Jun 2011 Location: Ma iTrader: (1)	Yes, exactly. It would be SO EASY to remove...IF BMW PUT THE RELEASE ON THE EASILY ACCESSIBLE, OTHER SIDE. God, sometimes I really, really hate BMW. It's almost like they're toying with me. They actually made the tabs go IN towards the body! Making it impossible for anyone to get to them. They also made them out of very, very stiff plastic.
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03-20-2013, 10:35 PM	#4
XMetal Colonel 1211 Rep 2,931 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]	I recalled the removal instructions from BMW calls for "breaking" them, which is exactly what I did when I had them replaced. It's a total PITA...have you ever had to "gently" break something?
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03-20-2013, 10:39 PM	#5
3002 tii Lieutenant General 2387 Rep 12,635 Posts Drives: Z4 M, X5, GX460 Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: CT iTrader: (100) Garage List E86 Z4 M [10.00] F15 X5 xDrive35i [9.17] F10 550i (Retired) [9.17] F25 X3 xDrive35i (R ... [9.43] E82 135is (Retired) [9.53] E85 Z4 M (Retired) [9.41] E90 328i xDrive (Re ... [9.25] E86 Z4 3.0si (Retired) [8.93]	The reason they broke is because you probably put your hands on the brackets instead underneath to grab bumper, so you actually pulled the bracket out and broke them. I replaced both sides this past weekend and basically used a flat head to pry the pieces very carefully so as to not damage the paint. It was tedious, 5 mins per side of cracking piece by piece but eventually got it done. __________________ Follow for latest mods
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03-20-2013, 10:45 PM	#6
v3.2mc Not a New Member 94 Rep 925 Posts Drives: with both hands and both feet Join Date: Mar 2012 Location: midwest iTrader: (4) Garage List 2007 ///M Coupé [10.00]	i've taken the front cover off multiple times and not had this issue... weird... i guess we should feel lucky they're only plastic and bolted in, rather than carbon fiber and glued in. anyone here brave enough to try removing the c-pillar wing on the i8 when it comes out? not me, thanks... i'll just watch from here. __________________ #1498E86 \| Sepang Bronze \| Dark Sepang Leather \| Carbon Leather Trim
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03-21-2013, 07:01 PM	#9
GammaZeta Captain 63 Rep 862 Posts Drives: 1 Join Date: Jun 2011 Location: Ma iTrader: (1)	Ok, I think I found a pretty good tool that works. Went to Harbor Freight to pick up this: http://www.harborfreight.com/7-piece...set-93958.html Used the smaller 90 degree pick to put into the hole from underneath and the outside. It barely fits. You can then twist it enough to break the tabs through the hole on the inside.
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03-22-2013, 07:48 AM	#10
Rekla Hug the road... Carpe Asphalt 106 Rep 722 Posts Drives: 2007 ///M Coupe Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Central Coast, CA iTrader: (20)	http://www.zpost.com/forums/showthread.php?t=79994 __________________ 2007 BMW ///M Coupe
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03-22-2013, 08:51 AM	#11
a_riddler Bimmer Noob 30 Rep 568 Posts Drives: 08 Z4MC;08 MBZ E350 4Matic Join Date: May 2010 Location: Seattle, WA iTrader: (6)	have ordered 5 of those over the course of two years. hate that piece! its a crap shoot for me, sometimes the bumper comes right off, sometimes I am ordering a new part... wonder how many tischer ships, they always have them in stock... __________________ 08 Z4MC /// DKF Exhaust, Stoptech 6/4 BBK, TCK Coilovers, Strong-Strut, Apex EC-7's, APR Splitter/Wing, AFE Intake, Underdrive pulleys, AS SSK, Jaffster, UUC Tranny Mounts, Matte Grill, RPI Scoop, CF Badges
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