Boot Water Ingress - The journey of roof motors, hydro pump and seals

[Webless]

An thank you, no I wasn’t really aware so this is really helpful. Did you also change the corner air vents yourself? I think it needs the bumper skin to be removed.

[warmasice]

Yes, I changed them myself. The near side is straight forward to replace from the inside (slide it through the hole at an angle and pull it back through). The driver's side is a pain with all the electronics and I really didn't want to unplug anything. I loosened a few bolts inside of the arch and gently pulled the bumper away from the body. There's an inner plastic support bracket that will need 2 screws removing. Finally, press the vent in against the body from the outside. The plastic bracket provides height adjustment for the bumper.. just be aware when tightening everything back up.

It'll all make sense when you get started but feel free to drop a message if you need any help.

[Webless]

Perfect, thanks so much

[warmasice]

Perfect, thanks so much

How did you get on?

[Webless]

Thanks for following up. Yesterday I replaced the rear light gaskets. I was surprised at just how much crap had built up. Also has to modify the gasket a little as the new gaskets have screw down points but my lights doesn’t have that option, had to cut a bit away to get a tight fit. I will load up some pictures to show those on the forum what to look out for.

I’m watching the weather today to decide if today there will be enough break between showers to have a go at the vents Will keep you posted

[Webless]

So on Friday I attempted to remove the rear bumper, got down to two remaining bolts, the 8mm underneath the wheel arch cover.

Now I have a lot of socket extension options, tried every which way but either too long and hitting the tyre or too short. Tried the flex extension and after about 30mins I gave up. I think I may have been able to get the bolt out but next to no chance of getting it back in again.

I think the issue for me is (with my socket set extensions) my 326m wheels just do not give enough space to reach.

So, the saga continues - this jack arrived today ....

[flybobbie]

Take wheel off it's what i did first time removing bumper, but later found i could use a thin extension on screwdriver.
The tool kit you show, the components are too large diameter, use a smaller set.
To replace screw, hold in place using say insulation tape on end of extension, bit tricky to get back in.

[Webless]

ah yes that makes sense, the jack I now have is kinda handy - this was the final driver for actually getting one, does mean from time to time I can take the wheels off and clean them properly and of course if any alloy repairs needed etc.

the video I watched was fitted with 19in (i think) wheels and I could had got away with it, just too tight with my socket set and 21's

Updates to follow )

[enuff_zed]

ah yes that makes sense, the jack I now have is kinda handy - this was the final driver for actually getting one, does mean from time to time I can take the wheels off and clean them properly and of course if any alloy repairs needed etc.

the video I watched was fitted with 19in (i think) wheels and I could had got away with it, just too tight with my socket set and 21's

Updates to follow )

A few years back I bought a Halfords Professional 1/4 drive socket set just for tighter access jobs like this.
It has to be the most used thing in my toolkit now.

[Webless]

Dodging the showers today but both bolts now removed. It would have been fine just to jack the car up a bit and not actually remove the wheel but in my case it was still proving tricky. Took a picture best I could, here you can see the washer is caught - kinda explains why I was having no joy on Friday

Spot of lunch then if the rain stops the bumper is finally coming off

[warmasice]

Thanks for following up. Yesterday I replaced the rear light gaskets. I was surprised at just how much crap had built up. Also has to modify the gasket a little as the new gaskets have screw down points but my lights doesn’t have that option, had to cut a bit away to get a tight fit. I will load up some pictures to show those on the forum what to look out for.

I’m watching the weather today to decide if today there will be enough break between showers to have a go at the vents Will keep you posted

I know exactly what you mean. Same part number, revised design. Just like the rear lamps.

For anyone else reading this, notice how there are extra screw tabs. The central one at the bottom of the pic may need filing down to ensure a perfect fit - depending on your tail lamp design:

20210411_133615.jpg (328.77 KiB) Viewed 405 times

As for the bumper, my car is lowered and on spacers, so was easier to remove the wheel to access the bolts.

In the video you mention (I think I know the one you mean), the chap forgets to mention one or two bolts which do need removing. Someone in the YouTube comments section spotted it too.

Good luck with it all. It's well worth changing the seals and vents. Would recommend changing the salmon relays too.

[Webless]

Haa yes thats it, I was expecting (given I had specified the year) that the part would be compatible but as you say it needs a mod. I didnt have a file so I went for the cut-it-of method

All done and some pictures to follow...

[Webless]

So I have replaced a lot of weather strips/pieces incl the rear light gaskets. You can see here the amount of muck these things collect...

[Webless]

I also noticed part of the seal on the off-side light was hanging out ... and the plastic catch has snapped. I will keep an eye on things before ordering replacement lights. Seems like the initial design was flawed..

[Webless]

Here (as with the much better photo above in this thread) you can see the new gasket has screw down areas but the light fitting doesnt (my Zed is a 2010).