Remove Entire Bumper for this? 850 GLT

viper69 · Post by **viper69** » 05 Aug 2016, 19:44

I was working on replacing the trunk drain tubes (NOT the sunroof drain tubes) when I stupidly pushed the black air vent out from the frame. This piece has plastic tabs on it to lock it into place onto the car body itself, and it has a thin rubber gasket that goes around the perimeter of the air vent.

I don't think I'm able to push it back in/fix it without having to remove the bumper based on some research maybe I'm wrong?

However, I was wondering if I would be able to only remove the right, rear wheel well mudflap and push the bumper portion that wraps around the side of the of car slightly away from the car frame and insert the piece back into frame? This is assuming I can put the gasket back around the black air vent too.

I'm upping a pic from another forum thread here so people can see what piece I'm talking about. The air vent is the black trapezoid/square shape just to the lower right of the right, rear tail light.

EDIT: I've also uploaded another pic from a video. This is from a 850, and it clearly shows the black, grid-like piece I need access to. What do I need to do in order to get that amount of space shown in the first pic below?

If so, how does one remove and replace the metal rivets that hold the wheel well plastic flaps onto the car frame? In the original thread below it mentioned drilling them out, but I didn't quite understand how that would work. I don't want to make the holes any larger of course. I've never worked with rivets before.

Thanks in advance

Original thread https://www.matthewsvolvosite.com/forums ... &mode=view

Post by **rspi** » 05 Aug 2016, 20:27

Takes less time to remove the skin than it took to post the thread. You'll just need to get the rivets to reinstall.

viper69 · Post by **viper69** » 05 Aug 2016, 20:45

Hey Robert!

I don't doubt it, funny and true.

I need access on the right side of the car.

So I don't need to remove the bumper? Just the splash guard (2 rivets, 1 T25 screw) inside the wheel well.

Will I need to remove 10 mm screw behind the splash guard as well?

Will I need to remove the tire in order to remove and re-install the rivets?

And will I need to spend anytime on the exhaust at all, I don't get that impression from your video based on my needs.

I'm not sure how many steps are needed for my purposes.

Thanks

BTW, your video was very helpful, thanks for putting it up and equally as important, showing the tools needed/used.

viper69 · Post by **viper69** » 06 Aug 2016, 15:14

Post by **scot850** » 06 Aug 2016, 17:35

You may get away with just doing what you suggest, but you will have to remove the 10mm bolt from the right side to be able to move the plastic bumper cover away from the side enough to try and push the plastic air vent back in.

I'm not sure how much room this will give you, if it is not enough then the whole bumper may have to come off so you don't damage the cover bumper.

That requires removing the 2 bolts at the back (normally the muffler can move enough to give you room to undo them), but be prepared that the bolts often snap as they are in a metal tube that rapes water and it rusts the bolts near their head end.

To remove the rivets, us a drill bit that is slightly larger than the thickness of the rivet shaft. Drill gently and the head of the rivet will come off allowing the rest of the rivet to fall sown the back.

This is easiest to do with the wheel off, as is re-installing the new rivets.

Neil.

Post by **E Showell** » 06 Aug 2016, 18:31

What's worse is if you live in a climate that salts roads for the winter, the bumper mounting plates are likely to be flaked like a piece of baklava, so you may well get the bumper off, but won't be able to put it back on without a couple new brackets. If you have to get new brackets, I'd spray paint them with Rustoleum prior to installation. That might make them last a bit longer.

viper69 · Post by **viper69** » 06 Aug 2016, 18:48

scot850 wrote:You may get away with just doing what you suggest, but you will have to remove the 10mm bolt from the right side to be able to move the plastic bumper cover away from the side enough to try and push the plastic air vent back in.

I'm not sure how much room this will give you, if it is not enough then the whole bumper may have to come off so you don't damage the cover bumper.

That requires removing the 2 bolts at the back (normally the muffler can move enough to give you room to undo them), but be prepared that the bolts often snap as they are in a metal tube that rapes water and it rusts the bolts near their head end.

To remove the rivets, us a drill bit that is slightly larger than the thickness of the rivet shaft. Drill gently and the head of the rivet will come off allowing the rest of the rivet to fall sown the back.

This is easiest to do with the wheel off, as is re-installing the new rivets.

Neil.

Thanks Neil. I will give it a go. So I will have to remove the bolt..Thanks!

I'll give it a try and see what happens. I hope it works.

I wish I had a hydraulic lift as found in a mechanic's garage, make things so much easier.

viper69 · Post by **viper69** » 06 Aug 2016, 18:48

E Showell wrote:What's worse is if you live in a climate that salts roads for the winter, the bumper mounting plates are likely to be flaked like a piece of baklava, so you may well get the bumper off, but won't be able to put it back on without a couple new brackets. If you have to get new brackets, I'd spray paint them with Rustoleum prior to installation. That might make them last a bit longer.

True indeed. I'm aware this may be the case, but I'd be surprised given the history of where the vehicle has lived.

beigg · Post by **beigg** » 06 Aug 2016, 20:52

Mine was more like a McBiscuit that was left under the lamp the entire morning with the hungry worker picking at it every passing.

Used " [ " channel with modifications as a suitable replacement bracket. It's likely the strongest pair of volvo 850 rear bumper fascia brackets known to man.

Post by **scot850** » 06 Aug 2016, 22:55

A hoist would be good, but get the car up on jack stands as I did., or when at PnP pulling parts and it is just fine to work on.

Have a really good look at the main 2 bumper bolts on the rear valance/brackets above the muffler and it's mirror part on the other side.

Spray with plenty PB blaster/Deep Creep before tackling, but when you try to undo the bolts feel for how much resistance you have trying to undo the bolts. They shear either just above the head or at the top when they are seized in the captured nut in the bumper bracket.

This may give you an idea, but the V70 doesn't have the inner 10mm bolt on the sides, but has 2 sliders instead. Otherwise the same.

https://www.matthewsvolvosite.com/forums ... ear+bumper

Good luck!

Neil.