Add / remove rear bumper w/ pics

Eric B

Well-known member
Couple quick pics showing how to remove rear stock bumper VS30

_Start at the side plastic trim just rearward of your wheels
_Slip your fingers along BOTTOM edge of plastic panel and work towards rear of van, popping body clips as you go
_With your hands still in between plastic and sheetmetal move to top edge and work towards front of van
_The last one (top edge, closest to wheel opening) is different - it does not pop off, the trim panel slides off this last one by sliding it towards front of van

_Now remove small plastic trim panel below taillight
To free plastic rivet, remove interior panel, nudge pin in just enough so that you can stick some tape on it (so it doesn’t get lost), now push it all the way through, remove female part of plastic rivet, one more body mounting clip along rearmost edge, and this panel comes off

_Remove two plastic rivets on bumper corner plastic piece. You can access the upper plastic rivet by pulling the 2.5~3” plastic hole cover from underneath the van.

_Repeat on opposite side of van

_7 torx bolts along the top edge of plastic bumper cover - use blue loctite on reassembly
_Disconnect parking sensor wiring - might have to cut some zip ties to get to plugs

_If you’re also removing / adding factory step or hitch, do yourself a favor and drop spare tire for more room to get at those bolts. Use red loctite on reassembly

First time I did this, I broke 4 body mounting plastic clips
They are not easily removed, I cut the broken ones and replaced as needed
Incidentally these are the same ones you deal with when installing Agile NoRub mini fenders...

MB p/n 910 991 00 00
 

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akadaedalus

Active member
I'm glad for the last two pictures. I wanted to run my shore power through that large hole in the rear and stuck my hand up to see if I can find a good path to the interior. I poked at what felt like a gasket inside, and it popped right out. Looks like it's going to float in the side bumper until I get around to opening it up, which I sort of don't want to do if the clips are going to break.
 

Fourbye

Well-known member
With either the rear trim panels or the front wheel well trim, the plastic retaining clips WILL break and you will need new ones. It's way easier to buy replacement panels with clips included than try to install new clips only. If fact, shops that do a lot of installs (including the front Terrawagen kit) simply keep these parts in stock. Fortunately they are relatively inexpensive.
 

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