rear bumper dropped where it meets arch

[the shreksta]

my offside rear bumper seems a little low/loose where it meets the arch,i would say its about 5mm difference

could this be just a broken clip? the rest of the bumper is solid all over

[Smeeagain]

do you have a pic to show the problem?

Smee

[X5-D-Sport]

I got this issue on all corners of my X5...

this is a popular issue & most likely a broken bracket that secures the bumper to the metal panel above it in the wheel arch edges..

I made a posting re 3D printers a few fays ago in this column.... & am going to print some chunky ABS plastic replacements for each corner...
once Ive got the design & drawings done & printed I will share the results... and the best bit is that they are dead cheap to do...

[yes_its_neil]

I recently had my bumper off to fit a towbar and missed getting one side located correctly on the clip/slot as shown in the area of parts 2 and 3 in this drawing. http://www.realoem.com/bmw/enUS/showparts?id=FB72-EUR-05-2005-E53-BMW-X5_30d&diagId=51_3900#51127148517

i had to take the 2 long mounting bolts (by tailpipes or bumper cutouts on diesel) back out and slide the bumper backwards then forwards to capture side clips correctly. Easier with an assistant or two. The only other mounting  is a wide tongue and slot plate underneath in the middle of the bumper. I doubt the bumper could come dislodged from the side clips normally, so as others have suggested, they may be broken.

[the shreksta]

[quote="X5-D-Sport Salisbury"]
I got this issue on all corners of my X5...

this is a popular issue & most likely a broken bracket that secures the bumper to the metal panel above it in the wheel arch edges..

I made a posting re 3D printers a few fays ago in this column.... & am going to print some chunky ABS plastic replacements for each corner...
once Ive got the design & drawings done & printed I will share the results... and the best bit is that they are dead cheap to do...
[/quote]

interesting.............keep me informed

[X5-D-Sport]

I printed both front ABS brackets.... hrated them up to 145'C & they kept integrity... admittedly gently soft... but functional when hot.
Froze them to -18'C & not brittle      The OEM parts are actually brittle & not as strong as mine.

I need to do a few tweeks to the drawing design to narrow the location slot a little, and then they will be perfect..

Did a pull test to try & break them & survived a 400+ Newton pull test ok..
.. So Im happy they are up to the job for my car bumper supports.