Rear Bumper Sag - Retaining Clip

[ugaexploder]

I bought that same hook and used that video and couldn't do it either. The opening in between those two tabs was too small and I broke it trying to widen the opening..

would be great to have a legit solution on this. thought about using those large paper clips lol

[Ramo]

so i tried using this method from the video and those hooks just don’t seem to work that well. i couldn’t get the two pieces clamped down together properly.

is there anyone on here who has a better way to mate the bumper to the quarter? seems like im destined to have saggy diaper bumpers

I bought that same hook and used that video and couldn't do it either. The opening in between those two tabs was too small and I broke it trying to widen the opening..

[ugaexploder]

post or no post, looks like the OEM clip with the hook works for both pre-LCI and LCI M3’s. Nice DIY step by step video

so i tried using this method from the video and those hooks just don’t seem to work that well. i couldn’t get the two pieces clamped down together properly.

is there anyone on here who has a better way to mate the bumper to the quarter? seems like im destined to have saggy diaper bumpers

[AWE46M3]

post or no post, looks like the OEM clip with the hook works for both pre-LCI and LCI M3’s. Nice DIY step by step video

[bmwfnatic]

Anyone have the part number for the nut that holds the clip on the bolt/shaft? I figured it looked like the one in the diagram so I ordered that but it turns out that was for the actual bumper

64509123157

[Wernd]

Anyone have the part number for the nut that holds the clip on the bolt/shaft? I figured it looked like the one in the diagram so I ordered that but it turns out that was for the actual bumper

[PSUEng]

I've got this same problem at the forward edge of the bumper cover to fender; thanks for bumping this thread. I tried to re-secure the bumper cover to the clip but it won't seat--it just pops out. Maybe a new clip is in order?

[Tbonem3]

Does this only fix the gap by the quarter panel and bumper or also other areas? My sag is towards the back where the bumper is not held totally forward against the quarter panel. If I push the bumper forward with my hand, it will line up just not stay in place.

I am guessing it would since the clip would hold the bumper in place by the quarter panel.

Correct, these clips, whether older style or new, only help the front corners of bumper cover meet the fenders. If the back is sagging, that's the cover on the carrier or it's the carrier sagging down. Only fix I think I know about is something I say Brett (Braymond) do years ago, but it might have been the E36 - with everything off, including muffler I think, I hammered a deep well socket around the carrier studs to force them back up (assume it's steel so it'll bend/deform well enough?). I might be mistaken and that's E36. If you have kevlar carriers (front or rear), I don't know if there's much you can do.

I tried to get my (2002 w/ kevlar) bumper up higher at the rear and just couldn't. There are some big plastic "screws" that hold cover's foam to the carrier, but it doesn't do much for vertical orientation, more to draw it in horizontally.

[bmw m3 s50]

Does this only fix the gap by the quarter panel and bumper or also other areas? My sag is towards the back where the bumper is not held totally forward against the quarter panel. If I push the bumper forward with my hand, it will line up just not stay in place.

I am guessing it would since the clip would hold the bumper in place by the quarter panel.

[AWE46M3]

FWIW, I didn't orientate mine like that ^

I don't know which way is better, I never tried it like that. I did it in a way such that the clip was orientated in a vertical position opposed to the horizontal position depicted above.

Verticals makes sense, too. That’s how the clamp on the stock intake cover snaps shut. Ordered my clips yesterday. I’ll try it both ways and circle back with pictures if I can get any decent shots.

[Nate047]

Following so I remember to do mine

[Tbonem3]

FWIW, I didn't orientate mine like that ^

I don't know which way is better, I never tried it like that. I did it in a way such that the clip was orientated in a vertical position opposed to the horizontal position depicted above.

[AWE46M3]

For anyone that can benefit from a visual representation of how clip 51124015053 works, here is my understanding based on the pictures @Avusbluem3 posted of his clip install (thank you!)

[AWE46M3]

Not sure if this is an update, but I can confirm that part # 51124015053 (need 2) works for the earlier cars. I have no idea why 51127164686 was listed - I couldn't get them to work after much effort. Even 51124015053 are difficult to install and I found that they would pop off if not pushed on very hard. You have to really close the gap with one hand, then insert 51124015053 just in the right place where it can grab enough of the bumper edge and the fender. I found (well, my 02 was very dirty from sitting outside) that I had to clean the inside fender - there was too much dirt and that prohibited 51124015053 from grabbing well.

A little trick I did to help, I used pliers to bend the "teeth" of 51124015053 out a little farther so it would grab better.

I think it would be smart to order like 3 or 4 of 51124015053, since they're so cheap, because you may very well lose 1 or 2 over time. They're just not very secure. The later model solution is much better.

AWE46M3

Tbonem3 Thank you for your input - this is really helpful. I recall seeing you fix the bumper sag on the Steelgrey Refurb and clicked through your IG highlight but did not see those pics. Wish my 02 had the post for the hook clip but I'll play around with these guys to see if I can get it 90% there. Thanks for circling back.

[Tbonem3]

Not sure if this is an update, but I can confirm that part # 51124015053 (need 2) works for the earlier cars. I have no idea why 51127164686 was listed - I couldn't get them to work after much effort. Even 51124015053 are difficult to install and I found that they would pop off if not pushed on very hard. You have to really close the gap with one hand, then insert 51124015053 just in the right place where it can grab enough of the bumper edge and the fender. I found (well, my 02 was very dirty from sitting outside) that I had to clean the inside fender - there was too much dirt and that prohibited 51124015053 from grabbing well.

A little trick I did to help, I used pliers to bend the "teeth" of 51124015053 out a little farther so it would grab better.

I think it would be smart to order like 3 or 4 of 51124015053, since they're so cheap, because you may very well lose 1 or 2 over time. They're just not very secure. The later model solution is much better.

AWE46M3