removing rear ESTATE bumper

[iasha]

I wish to fit reversing censors to my 04 estate. I wish to fit them to the bumper itself and not the black edge at the bottom. Is it easy to remove the bumper? Are there positions for placing the censors on the inside of the bumper? if so, is there any obstructions ie reinforcing?

Cheers

[John35]

very brave if you want to drill the bumper. There is a reinforcing bar just above the black trim. I believe this will stop you drilling and fitting sensors there.

Why do you not want to fit them on the black trim.......

[ghostrider]

[iasha]

thanks for reply, I have seen on this forum pictures of cars with censors in the black trim and it does look good. I was worried that the censors would be angled at the wrong angle. I suppose that this could be overcome with some sort of teppered washer??? Would that make them stick out?? Do they work ok in the trim? Any ideas?

I must admit drilling the bumper fills me with dread. If they have to go in the black trim then so be it.

Does anybody no of any good suppliers, I have seen lots on ebay. Which are the good ones

Thanks for all replies

[ghostrider]

There are in the black trim as standard when factory fitted (on the estate).
You can remove the bumper and cut the Aluminium crash bar if you want, but you don't need to. You can get decent sensors from ebay.
Have a look for the threads on here, both John 35 and I have fitted them and they work well.

[iasha]

thanks for info, have decided to fit on the black trim, following you r advice and looking under the car. Have found a set on ebay for 4 sencors priced at 25 quid (seems cheap).

What size holes did you have to drill? The ones I am looking at require a 21mm hole for the sencors. That black strip isn't that wide. I f yours were smaller sencors what make were they? If you had to drill 21mm hole, any precautions?
It looks like the black strip is clipped on at the top so I am guessing that the holes would have to be drilled slightly lowwer than centre??

What measurements did you use for the sencors, I am guessing that this is really important.

Sorry for loads of questions, thanks

[John35]

The black trim will easily fit a 21mm hole. You get a drill bit in the kit. As to the position of them its you're choice really. As you can see I have a towbar and the picture has the sensors with the washer attached. I have now removed the washer and the sensors still work.
The only difficult part is finding the reversing wire in the estate. There are threads that show you the position of them. (or post another question..) E-bay ones are fine




PS I'm a bloke last time I checked.....

[ghostrider]

Sorry John

[ghostrider]

******! Double post!

[iasha]

Right, have fitted censors today and I gotta say they do look pretty good in the black strip at the bottom of the bumper. Followed your example and didn't use the tappered washers.

Now to wiring, have read lots of info in the How 2's but am still a little confused, sorry being a bit dense.

Do I need a relay to get around the bulb failure system? If so where to obtain?

cheers