How to remove 4th gen rear bumper for towbar/hitch install

[chimera]

(Originally posted in wrong thread, so repost here...)

 

This is to supplement Matts post on installing a towbar (hitch) on an LGT.

 

http://legacygt.com/forums/showthread.php/fitting-tow-bar-aus-liberty-gt-40784.html?t=40784

 

He didn't put up info on removing the rear lights and bumper - since I had to fit a towbar/hitch to my LGT this weekend, I took some photo's on how to do it (unfortunately the bar mounts inside the bumper, so yes you do have to take it off)

 

First, remove the rear lights -unscrew and pull out the center screw, then the plug around it.

 

http://www.chimera.co.nz/subaru/lights1.jpg

 

Now use a flat-head screwdriver to carefully pry the plastic cover off. Dont force it, feels like it could crack easy under force.

 

http://www.chimera.co.nz/subaru/lights2.jpg

 

Now use a philips to unscrew the (only) 2 screws that hold the light on, the front part of the light is held on by a fixed screw and bracket, it should just slide off. Twist the bulbs from the sockets to remove.

 

http://www.chimera.co.nz/subaru/lights3.jpg

 

Now use a flat head to pry the center of the 2 plastic plugs off.

 

http://www.chimera.co.nz/subaru/bumper1.jpg

 

Now jump under the rear of the car, there are about half a dozen plastic screws similar to above that hold the bottom of the bumper on

 

http://www.chimera.co.nz/subaru/bumper2.jpg

 

There are also 2 plastic plugs behind the rear wheel wells, you only need to remove the one closest to the rear wheel (the other holds the small side spolier on)

 

http://www.chimera.co.nz/subaru/bumper3.jpg

 

Now grab a socket set. You need to reach under the rear bumper and there are 2 nuts that fix the top of the bumper to the car (near the boot lid) You can reach your hand up near the rear exhaust tips and undo them easily enough. I've shown a photo of roughly where they are from the outside.

 

http://www.chimera.co.nz/subaru/bumper4.jpg

 

Now have a look near the rear wheel arch, you can pull the liner back and there is a single bolt holding the top of the rear bumper on. Next 2 pic's...

 

http://www.chimera.co.nz/subaru/bumper5.jpg

http://www.chimera.co.nz/subaru/bumper6.jpg

 

Now open the boot, on each side open the small compartments and inside you will see a small round rubber cover, pry this off then undo the bolt that holds the back corner of the bumper on. On the rear right you need to pop the plastic cover to get to it.

http://www.chimera.co.nz/subaru/bumper7.jpg

 

This photo shows a zoomed out view of the 3 areas at the rear/side that you need to undo

 

http://www.chimera.co.nz/subaru/bumper8.jpg

 

Once the above screws are off, the whole bumper should pull off easily. I've highlighted below, the aluminium fixing that holds the top of the bumper on. You need to remove this and place back on your car.

 

http://www.chimera.co.nz/subaru/bumper9.jpg

 

You will also need to remove the rear mufflers / exhaust ends and heat shields if you're going to fit a towbar/hitch, because you need to bolt above this.

[KCwagon]

Thank you for this super helpful post. The rear bumper is a bit more challenging than the front bumper it appears.

[c-lo]

ummmmm what kinda hitch you installing? I installed my hidden hitch by putting the rear end up on ramps, unhooking the mufflers from their hangers and installing the hitch. whammo bammo done.

[Dragondima]

Yea, exactly what c-lo said. I'm more interested what you're going to do for the trailer wiring.

[chimera]

a bit late on the response,... but just for completeness from above questions ^ i was fitting this towbar...

 

http://legacygt.com/forums/showthread.php/different-trailer-hitch-option-204538p6.html?highlight=towbar

 

wiring was the easy part! just sliced into the wires straight off the rear left light.