Rear bumper removal instruction
 

Do you know where I can find instructions on how to remove the rear bumper on the Boxster?

Try using the search function on this board.

If you dont find the intructions using the search...

You'll need a 10mm socket with extension, Cross screw driver and a allen socket (forgot the size) with extension.


first manually lift the rear spoiler by pressing the up button on the button on your fuse cover where the driver sits. Then take out the 3 snap in button screws from your spoiler by pressing the center of them inwards then pulling the entire plastic screw out

now remove the painted peice of the spoiler, underneath you will see 2 allen bolts holding the metal frame of the spoiler to the car... remove those.

once removed you can lift the metal frame out, then you'll see several screws holding the center upper portion of the bumper to the car, remove those.

then lay on the floor and look under the car and you will see several screws holding the bottom lip of the rear bumper to the car, remove any that you see there.

now look under your bumperettes, theres a small hole slot under each one, inside the slot theres an allen bolt, loosen it and the bumperette can be pulled off.

finally, look on the inside of the rear wheel tunnel and you will see either 1 cross screw or 1 10mm bolt head, it holds the outter edges of the rear bumper to the rear fenders, one per side. remove them and you can go ahead and pull the rear bumper off now.

I've seen some posts that say the bumperettes are held in place by torx bolts.

Does anyone know for sure whether it is torx or allen before I butcher mine?

You will have to look at them with a flash light cause newer 986 boxsters came with torx bolts instead of allens but I don't know the year they did.

search the DIY thread as I took mine off and replaced it. It was pretty easy. Just make sure you have a soft rug or something as you don't want to scratch it on the concrete. Also don't twist it as it will spider. The hardest part was the retractable wing. I had to go to autozone and buy some plastic insert screws. I beleive I used an allen wrench on bumperettes. The two screws under the wheel wells are different for some reason. I takes no more than 20 minutes. I was amazed at how little held it on. When putting back on it may take a minute to get it lined up properly (side to side) but take your time.

I'm about to install a Euro bumper cover. Are the plastic "rivets" reusable" Or do I need a handful.

Bentley is not clear on this except to recover the pieces that fall in.

you'll need new ones. they're VERY cheap.

No need to remove the rear spoiler first
 

I actually removed the rear bumper cover yesterday without removing first the spoiler. Mine is a 986 Boxster 03. I did start by trying to remove the spoiler as suggested by this and several other threads, but quickly gave up for I found out that I could remove the three screws underneath the spoiler directly by raising the spoiler to its full extended position.

Then the rest is a cake walk, only 11 screws to take out, that's it!

Obviously, the bumperettes need to be taken out first :cheers:too.

And the license plate lights wiring.