[Guide] Monaro VXR - Rear Bumper Removal

[Yanayaya]

It's a question that get's asked a lot so I thought, since I was about to do the job myself, I would make a sort of visual guide so that people knew what was where and what to expect.

I've also included a couple of notes of my own of things that I found out when I did this.

I removed my rear bumper to wax oil behind it and also to replace a damaged fog light which was literally destroyed as I revered into a Land Rover, yes I revered into a Land Rover with the benefit of reversing sensors, I have no excuse.

Without further a do here is my visual guide to removing the rear bumper of my 2005 Monaro VXR 6.0 V8. Any questions please let me know. Might make a good sticky but I'm not in charge of that sort of thing

Notes

A: I would mask off your tail lights as when I removed the bumper one end caught the tail light and has now marked it. I'd just put some masking tape on unless you are planning on removing them at the same time.

B: The plastic trim screw clip things which were sent from hell to destroy us all are literally holding most of this car together expect to have to "persuade" some to come out, there will be casualties. Get some new ones as soon as you can. There are two types during this process the "screw type" and the "push type". The push type are the lesser of two evils as they can at least just be pulled out. The screw type will round off, not come out or just generally not play well at all.

C: You will need a flat screwdriver, Philips screwdriver and 10mm socket.

Step 1
This can be done with the wheels on or off. To make your life easier consider taking them off. There are 4 self tapping trim screws 2 on each side of the car under the arch. Remove them all.


Step 2
Looking underneath the bumper remove all the trim retaining clips, 2 screw type and 2 push type.



Step 3
Under the rubber boot seal there are 4 screw type plastic trim retainers. Remove all of them.


Step 4
Under the carpet inside the boot, where the tail lights are you'll see 4 nuts 2 on each side they are 10mm in size. Remove all of them and also unplug the parking sensor and fog light wiring harness. This wiring harness has a grommet which you will need to push through as you remove the bumper. Don't worry the connecter fits through the hole, take care.


Step 5
Pull the left side and right side of the bumper away from the car (they should pop out) first and then maneuver the bumper away from the car at the rear, it'll take a little persuasion but should come free without too much resistance.


There you have it, bumper off. Refitting is the reverse of removal.

I hope that at least helps is some small measure.

Cheers

Allan

Additional

I forgot to mention that when I removed my rear bumper one of the bracket which has the threaded bars that go under the lights had come away from the bumper meaning it wasn't supporting it properly. These brackets are riveted onto the bumper.


What I did to overcome this was use two trim screws with backing plates and they did the job perfectly.

Edited by Yanayaya on Thursday 16th April 21:47

[LS2Noir]

Thanks for taking the time to write this up, good tip about masking the lights.

This should end up in the FAQ's section

[Codswallop]

Great guide and annotated photos

Makes me want to remove my rear bumper just for the hell of it now

[SturdyHSV]

Another thanks for making the effort to write this up and take good photos

[Yanayaya]

As long as it helps I'm hoping to make more of these as I do the jobs.

[Yertis]

Thanks for this – appreciated here

BTW I guessed you were in Aberdeen or thereabouts from the nature of the visible rust – sounds odd I know but I once had an Audi Quattro from there and the rust on that looked exactly the same (ie a bit aggressive!)

[granjuiceymoose]

Very helpful, if we had this thought of thing for most jobs it would certainly make me want to do more on my own car rather than pay someone else to do bits.

[Yanayaya]

Yertis said:

Thanks for this – appreciated here

BTW I guessed you were in Aberdeen or thereabouts from the nature of the visible rust – sounds odd I know but I once had an Audi Quattro from there and the rust on that looked exactly the same (ie a bit aggressive!)

No worries

I've only had the car since last July chap and the only rust I've found so far is that one bracket Needles to say the wax oil process has begun since the weather is so dry just now.

[jelevents]

Old topic I know but very helpful, I need to remove bumper for couple of jobs sounds like most clips are gonna break, anyone know where to source replacement clips?
I got some generic ones from eBay when I did front bumper but they were ste.
Thanks in advance.

[Lincsls1]

Probably not helpful, but in preparation for my respray, I bought all new clips etc. from here...
For example :-
https://gtog8ta.com/04-06-gto/04-06-gto-front-end-...

[motomk]

A few of them are on here.
https://www.carpartsclipsandfasteners.com.au/index...

[fred bloggs]

jelevents said:

Old topic I know but very helpful, I need to remove bumper for couple of jobs sounds like most clips are gonna break, anyone know where to source replacement clips?
I got some generic ones from eBay when I did front bumper but they were ste.
Thanks in advance.

The stuff from a company called wurth is very nice.

[jelevents]

fred bloggs said:

The stuff from a company called wurth is very nice.

Is that these little beauties?