Replacing the rear bumper brackets XJ40

The rear bumper mounts are often the cause of a thumping sound at the rear of the car and is frequently accompanied with a lop sided bumper.

The mounts consist of a metal bracket with a bolt through the middle terminated with a captive nut and retaining clip.

The mounts fit directly to the body shell via two bolts. There is also a thin rubber gasket - which must be replaced.

The long central bolt with a drop spacer fits through the rear bumper outer casing and cross member up through mount and into the captive nuts above the cross member itself.

To do this job you will require the tools and parts listed at the end of this article.

Failure is often found to look like the pictures below. (x300 shown but XJ40 similar)

To remove the bumper follow these steps

1. Remove both of the tail pipe trims.
2. Undo the two 19mm long bolts that secure the bumper to the mounts or if they are as bad as the ones shown it may well pull off but you don't really want to try that.
3. Once removed slide the bumper backwards with the help of an assistant gripping ether side and the rear. If reverse sensor radar is fitted unplug the connectors to the sensors in the bumper.
4. Move the bumper assembly to a safe storage area away from the car and stow it in a manner in which it will not become damaged.
5. remove the two (per side) 13mm flanged nuts from the original mounts and remove the mount form the car.
6. Clean off the old gaskets from the car and discard

Reassemble is the reverse of the above. Noting the following:

The picture below shows the correct arrangement of the bolts and spacers prior to reassembly.

It is important that protection of the metal surface is given consideration to prevent your new ones from rotting

Tools:
13mm Spanner (open and offset ring)
13mm Socket
19mm Socket, wrench and 100mm extension arm
Stiff brush for cleaning away mud
Anti corrosive compound and a water resistant lubricant.

Parts required Rear only:
Rear mounts x 2
M8 flanged nuts and washers x 8
Long bolts (special Part) x 2
Spacers x 2
Gaskets x 2
Parts Side:

Each rear set includes: to VIN683729
1 rear mount
1 gasket
1 Long stud mount
1 Spacer
2 flanged nuts and washers

Each side set includes: to VIN683729
Slipper bracket
Slipper guide bracket
Washers (4 required)
Bolts (4 required)
Locator
Gasket