Rear bumper - Idiots guide

[tommysb]

Can anyone give a 'foolproof' rundown of exaclty how to remove the rear bumper from a 1990 3 door volvo 340? I've had a look underneath, and in Haynes. I'm still baffled.

The bumper has popped off on one side, and needs to be reattached for the car to pass its MOT. (although the tester said I can just put a screw in if I like, and it'll pass. I've been meaning to take it off for a while, for some bodywork work. It's become more urgent since the MOT necessity!

Only other MOT work it's needed is - change to fuel mix, cleaning brake callipers, and headlight refocus, and to fix the handle mechanism on the passenger door! Should be sorted tomorrow

[turnbullj]

lie down underneath the bumber and look straight up there should be 4 nuts and bolts 2 on each side, lots of wd40 and cursein + swearin should get them off ok then the bumper just slides off the runners on the sides, simples jus make sure u remember where u put the nuts + bolts unlike me

[volvosneverdie]

I looked for twenty mins, three times, in the rain, and still couldnt find the bolts.
then I eventually gave up and watched John do it.

Bolts go in from the back of the car inwards.
Stick a spanner (13mm?) over the nut and ratchet the bolts out.
One at a time.
Each one takes about 1 hour 789 minutes to ratchet out if all goes well.
Get the back end up so you can see what youre doing an all.

The backbox gets in the way too.

I didnt even enjoy watching man.


I know this isnt an idiots guide, but im an idiot and I wrote it, so thats quite close.

*edit- beaten to the punch by a man thats done it. shame on me. I cant even type fast.
and for updating spanner

[volvodspec]

13mm.

the rear bumper is mounted to the rear chassis beams that run from the front to rear of the car; on the left side of your 340 is the exhaust, you'll need to get the rear damper out of it's rubber moundings so it gets low enough for being able to reach the bolts.
on the right side you can reach the bolts in one go, they're near the towing hook mounting. wd40 isn't nescassary, just get the dirt/antirust threatment from factory off with a steelwire brush.

[tommysb]

Seen them now. Not had a chance to attempt their removal, since I've just spent about 6 hours fiddling with the door locking mechanism. But fixed that at least!

[Ronnie]

Wear eye protection when you get round to it. You're lying on your back peering up into the darkness with all sorts of crud falling into your eyes - not pleasant.

I used a socket on the bolt and a ratchet spanner on the nut, that way you can work both simultaneously without having to keep on relocating your tools.

[SteveP]

It's a painful job, I cut through the boot floor with an angle grinder when I scrapped my 360 to remove the rear bumper Wouldn't recommend it on a car you intend on keeping though

[tommysb]

Well,

the bent bumper came off without too much hassle. The good bumper from the donor car might be getting the 'angle grinder' treatment though!

[tommysb]

Sorted!

Swapped the bumper, and now have a full year's MOT

[trabitom99]

Well done

Tom

[volvosneverdie]

Sorted!

Swapped the bumper, and now have a full year's MOT

good news dude.