Yaris Rear Bumper Refit

[briana]

Hi Folks,

I recently bought a 2003 Yaris 1.0 T2 for my 17yo son. It is a fantastic little car and we are both thoroughly enjoying driving it, but he recently clipped a small rock by the side of the road. No serious damage, but the nearside end of the rear bumper has popped off the plug-and-socket clip and I can't get it back on. The Haynes manual gives instructions for removing the bumper "Approximately 10cm in from each end, a very stiff plastic plug-and-socket clip secures the end of the bumper to the car - pull sharply outwards on the bumper end to detach it" and for replacing it says "refitting is a reversal of removal", but this isn't much help.

Unfortunately, nothing we have tried has managed to refit it. We have tried pushing by hand at the appropriate point and applying a clamp (with wooden blocks) but without success. Presumably there is a knack - so before I engage the services of a body shop, can anyone out there help me understand how to get the "very stiff" plug-and-socket clip to re-engage?

All help will be gratefully received....

Thanks,

Brian

[minidoughty]

without sounding stupid, thump it.

pushing it together won't work, even with clamps. it needs a punch to close it, (I have had to remove 2 yaris bumpers previously)

Use the palm of your hand and thump it, in one motion, till it clicks in.

Hope this helps.

[briana]

Thanks for the suggestion, I've tried hitting it as suggested and just got a sore hand! The socket underneath looks ok, no missing teeth or anything so I don't think it is broken. I'll keep trying....

Brian

[briana]

Just had a body shop have a quick look - he also thought it should just tap back into place (with the addition of a little grease to help it on its way) however couldn't get it to catch either. On closer investigation the underlying panel has been knocked slightly out of shape and so the plug isn't sitting straight. He is going to knock it out and sort out the paint for £50, so a good result...

Thanks again for the help.

Brian