Rear Bumper Removal

[Topbear]

Are there any instruction on how to remove\refit the rear bumper on an 03 Boxster, to replace it with a new bumper?

Is it also necessary to remove the spoiler as well?

[ar38070]

Assuming that the basic attachment method has not changed (pre-2003) then yes the spoiler needs to be removed as there are 3 screws underneath it that hold the top of the bumper cover in place.

Once you have done that then you take out the 8 screws that attach the bottom of the cover to the body from underneath the car, unscrew the license plate lights and disconnect the wiring harness.

To remove the spoiler (pre-2003 so this might not work on a 2003):

Manually raise the spoiler.

On the front edge of the painted piece there will either be 3 screws or 3 plastic rivets. If screws unscrew them and remove the painted piece. If rivits then if you look closely the center of the rivet is actually a plastic pin. Use a pin punch, small screwdriver or nail and push the pin all the way in. It will fall inside the spoiler and you will be able to retrieve it when you take off the spoiler body. Once the pins have been pushed in you can pull the rest of the rivet out by hand or with a pair of pliers. Now you can remove the top of the spoiler.

Remove the 2 socket bolts that hold the spoiler body onto the lifters and remove the spoiler.

Retrieve the plastic pins if necessary.

[Topbear]

Cheers for your help ar38070.

I done the swap today, and put together some detailed notes in case anyone else needs them in the future.

Boxster_Rear_Bumper_Removal.pdf

Edited October 23, 2004 by Topbear

[wellsm]

For sake of completeness I can advise on spoiler removal for 2003 Boxster S.

No rivets used (as is already known). Proceed as follows:

1: Raise spoiler manually using footwell switch

2: Spolier has two plastic 'end-caps' inserted into the steel part, remove these caps using small screw driver or fingers.

3: Look down the length of the spolier through the gap created by the end-cap removal and you will see the two plastic pegs (one near each end) which retain the Painted part onto the steel part.

4. insert a long thin flat blade screwdriver into the steel part and gently lever the peg back whilst gently lifting the plastic part upwards - disengaging the peg, repeat for the oppsite end.

5. The plastic part can now be removed slightly upwards and rearwards, sliding off the plastic lugs at bottom/rear of the plastic part

6. Use suitable Allen key to remove the steel part from the steel supporting pillars (can be quite tight as they are 'thread-locked' in place).

When re-assembling pay particular attention to engaging all the lugs at the bottom/rear of the plastic part before snapping the pegs back down into place.

The above method removes the possiblity of breaking the plastic locating pegs on removal by the 'rip it out' method!

Edited June 5, 2006 by wellsm