Bumper won't align with hood straight

Lxnewolf · 08-02-2017, 08:41 PM

Hey guys I swapped my front grilles ( lost a torx screw in the engine bay see other post ). I followed instructions I found on here about undoing the torx screws and pulling the bumper forward a bit to depress the tabs. I put the bumper back in exactly as it came out, under the light and under the bumper clips. After pushing and and re attaching the screws the bumper is off by millimetres. Any advice on how to fix this? Do you guys think I may have warped it while pulling it forward? The side with the larger gap is the side I uninstalled the first grille first which took me the longest. You can see the gap on the left side compared to the right. I may be being too OCD but I want to fix this and I have pushed the bumper as hard as I can in while tightening down but the same result each time. All I can think of is pulling the right side out 1-2mm to match the left side gap

bryan_G01 · 08-02-2017, 10:00 PM

loosen the torx screws and fix it. than tighten it back up.

aerobod · 08-02-2017, 11:50 PM

It looks as though it needs to be moved sideways by a couple of mm, looking from the front the passenger side is covering the edge of the headlamp less than the driver side. This sideways alignment may help move the holes to give a bit more fire/aft adjustment.

BEM-S4 · 08-03-2017, 05:38 AM

Be sure the clear plastic clips are engaged as well.

Cumberlandjames · 08-03-2017, 07:25 AM

you could try using spacers/shims while you are installing it to maintain an even gap as you tighten things up.

Realdread1 · 08-03-2017, 07:50 AM

Glws

3.0L · 08-03-2017, 10:41 AM

I had to do some careful adjusting and realignment after installing black grilles.

The holes in the bumper for the torx screws are much larger diameter than the screws, thus allowing for alignment (or misalignment). I had to spend some trial and error time to accomplish the perfect fit. Not difficult, but a bit tedious.

NISFAN · 08-03-2017, 11:00 AM

You guys do know that you don't have to take the bumper off?

Fingers through the grille whilst you apply pressure, and loosen each clip one at a time working your way around.

Get the first one out then remove the other through the opening.

Too late I know

3.0L · 08-03-2017, 11:41 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by NISFAN

You guys do know that you don't have to take the bumper off?

Fingers through the grille whilst you apply pressure, and loosen each clip one at a time working your way around.

Get the first one out then remove the other through the opening.

Too late I know

That is exactly the way I tackled mine. I only removed the top torx screws hidden under rubber seal. I ended up with few red marks on my forearms, but it worked.

NISFAN · 08-03-2017, 01:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 3.0L

Quote:

Originally Posted by NISFAN

You guys do know that you don't have to take the bumper off?

Fingers through the grille whilst you apply pressure, and loosen each clip one at a time working your way around.

Get the first one out then remove the other through the opening.

Too late I know

That is exactly the way I tackled mine. I only removed the top torx screws hidden under rubber seal. I ended up with few red marks on my forearms, but it worked.

Don't even have to do that. Just need a hook shaped tool to fish between the grilles and release the clips.....whilst pulling the grille so the clips don't slot back in.

bryan_G01 · 08-03-2017, 01:48 PM

if your tossing the original, just Dremel the slats off, reach in and pop them off.

3.0L · 08-03-2017, 01:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by NISFAN

Don't even have to do that. Just need a hook shaped tool to fish between the grilles and release the clips.....whilst pulling the grille so the clips don't slot back in.

Have you actually done it that way? I considered that route, but it seemed a bit tedious and perhaps working more by feel and a bit blind.

NISFAN · 08-03-2017, 02:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 3.0L

Have you actually done it that way? I considered that route, but it seemed a bit tedious and perhaps working more by feel and a bit blind.

Yep, it's a bit frustrating when a clip clicks back in, but with some patience, working your way around, it comes out. The second one is easy as you get your arm through the 1st grille hole.

Questofthetune · 08-03-2017, 02:14 PM

I have this exact problem- just kinda figured I had to live with it

crabu2 · 08-04-2017, 08:00 AM

Ok, it's not a BMW, but I had to pull the front bumper cover off my Camry yesterday to replace the headlight assemblies. Same thing happened to me.. the front bumper cover not isn't aligned, just like yours. I'm wondering if I should fix it or just leave it since it's my beater car.

chattanooga240 · 08-04-2017, 08:09 AM

It's a little weird you guys cannot get these to align properly. There is so much adjustment room where each torx screw goes in, it would be hard for me to not align it correctly.

I just replaced my grills again recently, the gap between the hood and noise is perfect all the way. Did you tighten the bolts down one by one instead of snugging them up a little at a time from the middle out?

08-02-2017, 08:41 PM	#1
Lxnewolf New Member 12 Rep 7 Posts Drives: M235i Join Date: Jul 2017 Location: Toronto iTrader: (0)	Bumper won't align with hood straight Hey guys I swapped my front grilles ( lost a torx screw in the engine bay see other post ). I followed instructions I found on here about undoing the torx screws and pulling the bumper forward a bit to depress the tabs. I put the bumper back in exactly as it came out, under the light and under the bumper clips. After pushing and and re attaching the screws the bumper is off by millimetres. Any advice on how to fix this? Do you guys think I may have warped it while pulling it forward? The side with the larger gap is the side I uninstalled the first grille first which took me the longest. You can see the gap on the left side compared to the right. I may be being too OCD but I want to fix this and I have pushed the bumper as hard as I can in while tightening down but the same result each time. All I can think of is pulling the right side out 1-2mm to match the left side gap Attached Images
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08-02-2017, 10:00 PM	#2
bryan_G01 Lieutenant Colonel 1166 Rep 1,931 Posts Drives: like i stole it... Join Date: Jun 2012 Location: NY iTrader: (0)	loosen the torx screws and fix it. than tighten it back up. __________________ www.nybmwcca.org Current Cars: 1995 M3 Coupe Manual Alpine White 1997 M3 Sedan Auto Cosmo Black Metallic 2018 x3 m40 Auto Grey Metallic
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08-02-2017, 11:50 PM	#3
aerobod Car Geek 3727 Rep 3,632 Posts Drives: Caterham R500, M2-G87, Macan S Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Calgary iTrader: (0)	It looks as though it needs to be moved sideways by a couple of mm, looking from the front the passenger side is covering the edge of the headlamp less than the driver side. This sideways alignment may help move the holes to give a bit more fire/aft adjustment.
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08-03-2017, 05:38 AM	#4
BEM-S4 Major General 4519 Rep 8,942 Posts Drives: Dinan M235, Dinan Sport Wagon Join Date: Oct 2012 Location: Philadelphia iTrader: (5)	Be sure the clear plastic clips are engaged as well. __________________ 2022 Macan S 2016 F31 328i xDrive Sport Wagon 2006 E46 330ci ZHP Convertible
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08-03-2017, 07:25 AM	#5
Cumberlandjames Private First Class 54 Rep 176 Posts Drives: 2016 M235i Xdrive cabriolet Join Date: Aug 2016 Location: Ottawa Ont iTrader: (0)	you could try using spacers/shims while you are installing it to maintain an even gap as you tighten things up.
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08-03-2017, 07:50 AM	#6
Realdread1 Private 15 Rep 55 Posts Drives: 16 235i Join Date: Dec 2015 Location: Phoenix iTrader: (0)	Glws
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08-03-2017, 10:41 AM	#7
3.0L Colonel 8950 Rep 2,010 Posts Drives: M235i, 20k miles Join Date: Apr 2014 Location: California iTrader: (0)	I had to do some careful adjusting and realignment after installing black grilles. The holes in the bumper for the torx screws are much larger diameter than the screws, thus allowing for alignment (or misalignment). I had to spend some trial and error time to accomplish the perfect fit. Not difficult, but a bit tedious. __________________ ///M235i \| Mineral Grey Metallic \| Premium Package \| Technology Package \| Driver Assistance Package \| Dakota Coral Red/Black Leather \| Harman/Kardon Premium 360 watt sound system \| 8-speed automatic When writing your life's plan, use a pencil with an eraser
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08-03-2017, 11:00 AM	#8
NISFAN Major General 3492 Rep 9,708 Posts Drives: BMW M2 Join Date: Aug 2012 Location: Bedford UK iTrader: (0)	You guys do know that you don't have to take the bumper off? Fingers through the grille whilst you apply pressure, and loosen each clip one at a time working your way around. Get the first one out then remove the other through the opening. Too late I know
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08-03-2017, 01:48 PM	#11
bryan_G01 Lieutenant Colonel 1166 Rep 1,931 Posts Drives: like i stole it... Join Date: Jun 2012 Location: NY iTrader: (0)	if your tossing the original, just Dremel the slats off, reach in and pop them off. __________________ www.nybmwcca.org Current Cars: 1995 M3 Coupe Manual Alpine White 1997 M3 Sedan Auto Cosmo Black Metallic 2018 x3 m40 Auto Grey Metallic
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08-03-2017, 02:14 PM	#14
Questofthetune Captain 446 Rep 780 Posts Drives: 13 GT50014 AW M235i(sold) Join Date: Jul 2016 Location: SFL iTrader: (1) Garage List 2014 BMW 235i [0.00]	I have this exact problem- just kinda figured I had to live with it __________________ 2014 AW M235i Sold 2013 BLK GT500 track pack/ perf pack/ recaros
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08-04-2017, 08:00 AM	#15
crabu2 Captain 142 Rep 671 Posts Drives: Truck and ... Join Date: Feb 2017 Location: Maryland iTrader: (0)	Ok, it's not a BMW, but I had to pull the front bumper cover off my Camry yesterday to replace the headlight assemblies. Same thing happened to me.. the front bumper cover not isn't aligned, just like yours. I'm wondering if I should fix it or just leave it since it's my beater car. __________________ '20 240ix convertible
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08-04-2017, 08:09 AM	#16
chattanooga240 Lieutenant 213 Rep 422 Posts Drives: 2019 M240i Join Date: Mar 2016 Location: Chattanooga iTrader: (0)	It's a little weird you guys cannot get these to align properly. There is so much adjustment room where each torx screw goes in, it would be hard for me to not align it correctly. I just replaced my grills again recently, the gap between the hood and noise is perfect all the way. Did you tighten the bolts down one by one instead of snugging them up a little at a time from the middle out?
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