Before I start exploring on my own I’d like to know how difficult it is to remove the front bumper. I cannot find guidelines in the workshop manual that I have. Is it straightforward or should I know a few handy tips from experienced guys amongst you?

Thanks for your help and replies.

Olav

 

G'day Olav,

It is really quite straight forward.

Firstly to make access easier you will need to jack the car up and remove both front wheels so that you can disconnect the wheel well splash guards from the rear of the bumper.

Then there are only two large bolts which secure the bumper to the car and they are located under the inboard side of each inner headlight but accessed from underneath the bumper.

The problem you might run into is that the bolt is steel and it passes through the diecast alloy bumper support into a captive brass nut embeded into the bumper itself. You will be very lucky if it has not corroded into a solid lump. The mount and the brass nut are almost impossible to access to spray penetrating oil to free things up.

If you manage to get the big bolts undone then there are a couple of electrical connectors to undo once you have moved the bumper forwards a little.

The rear bumper mounts are usually a bigger problem as they get wet from road spray and then corrosion sets in and the diecast bumper supports ore often little more than white dust. The front mounts don't get water spray so are usually corrosion free.

Before you reassemble everything cover it all in copper grease to prevent corrosion in the future.

Cheers and good luck,
Jeff.


These pix below might help.

 

It is the same as the X300 and there are post on the matter if you search or make a topic in the X300 area that has more traffic

[x300] front bumper removal (x308) - X300 - Jag-lovers Forums

 

Excellent help Jeff. Thank you so much for the write-up. My car spent it’s life mainly in Spain so I have good hope rusted bols will be less of an issue.

regards, Olav

 

The undertray and brake ducts come off with the bumper (as seen in your photos Jeff, that is your car right?), after you undo the wheel liners and brake ducts.

The main supports have a threaded fitting to adjust the bumper height on the finished body.

Olav you shouldn't have much rust as long as the car didn't live mainly on the plain in Spain with the rain.

Sorry, too easy.