As an update. I spent all day yesterday fitting the sensors. I used the PowerTec 92489 kit. I dont know if I can recommend it because it left multiple rings around the bumper, I dont believe it to be user error. One of the holes I had to repunch as the tool was flexing and went in at an angle nearly destroying itself. I'm sorry for not including any progress picture updates as I was racing the sun.
When following the bumper removal guide there are 4 screws on the wheel arch, I forgot to remove the top one for one of the sides and thought the clip was being stubborn and ended up breaking it, still managed to reuse the same screw hole so not a problem.
I had to go for a full attack and hope for the best as I only really had 1 day (Sunday with work on Monday). This is definitely a 2 man job in my opinion between making sure you dont scratch the bumpers removing them, removing trims and cutting yourself multiple times in the process, and last of all just mentally!
This is the first time I participated in a thread like this to help people in the future so I am trying to do a memory dump for others to learn from my mistakes.
From the beginning for RHD people trying to a partially good job:
I used 1 and a half tubes of JB weld black, it works very well, to stick, I removed the "3M stickers" they came with, but these stickers must be fake as they couldnt hold on to any material. I did leave residual trails of glue on the sensors. The side sensors sit very flush and are quite tight to get into the front because of the brackets, because of this I fitted them and then put JB weld around the side (they sat in very tight without any glue).
I am quite happy with the flushness and they seem more flush than my friends Golfs/Polos which have OEM sensors.
Other notes:
When following the bumper removal guide there are 4 screws on the wheel arch, I forgot to remove the top one for one of the sides and thought the clip was being stubborn and ended up breaking it, still managed to reuse the same screw hole so not a problem.
I had to go for a full attack and hope for the best as I only really had 1 day (Sunday with work on Monday). This is definitely a 2 man job in my opinion between making sure you dont scratch the bumpers removing them, removing trims and cutting yourself multiple times in the process, and last of all just mentally!
This is the first time I participated in a thread like this to help people in the future so I am trying to do a memory dump for others to learn from my mistakes.
From the beginning for RHD people trying to a partially good job:
- I tapped into the TIUL connection on the side of the passenger (one trim to be removed) my sensors do not work and I think it is because of this CAN connection - will update in the future
- The main harness went from the TIUL connection under the trim, by the rear left passenger seats and to the back.
- You dont have to completely remove the bottom trim, partially remove it and tuck the cable in, I found taping the rear speaker to the harness going to the rear also helped.
- I took off the rear seats, the bulging plastic panel that sits between the passenger and the door
- After this I took off the trim that is behind the seat belt, this has 1 bolt i think within a piece of plastic that is a cylindrical shape.
- I also took off the trim that the boot latch goes through that goes across the rear bumper.
- Because I dont care about OEM placement of things, I tied up the excess behind the trim in the boot along with the rear speaker and put some felt tape to stop it rattling (along with zip tie the bulk to the side).
- Cut the bumper holes etc, I routed the cable down the same way as XaGiCo.
- While youre doing this check your rear boot flaps, if they are moving/ the silicone looks bad go over it with silicone as it can cause water to leak where your spare tyre sits.
- The front was easier for me to undo/ place back in my opinion. If you have an ACC module, this does not come off with the bumper so you will not have to recalibrate this.
- For the wiring, I took off the battery along with its tray, there is a rubber nipple to the right of the brake booster (I think thats what it is). I cut this, and routed a coat hanger down this hole into the passenger footwell. This required roughly 30 minutes of screaming and trying to pull foam pieces down from inside while someone outside was poking the coat hanger in from the bonnet. this guide for visuals.
I used 1 and a half tubes of JB weld black, it works very well, to stick, I removed the "3M stickers" they came with, but these stickers must be fake as they couldnt hold on to any material. I did leave residual trails of glue on the sensors. The side sensors sit very flush and are quite tight to get into the front because of the brackets, because of this I fitted them and then put JB weld around the side (they sat in very tight without any glue).
I am quite happy with the flushness and they seem more flush than my friends Golfs/Polos which have OEM sensors.
Other notes:
- JB weld black is also great at sticking to your fingers, dont be an idiot like me. Wear gloves! It does slowly start peeling off after 24 hours it seems!
- It is a good idea to let JB weld black to sit for a minute or two to thicken, this helps you apply it.
- Watch/ collate a bunch of YouTube videos on how to remove bumpers etc as this will help you fitting.
- Purchase the bigger side sensors for the rear as in my opinion they look better and you will not have to cut the current sensors to let them sit in the corner.
- I DO NOT RECOMMEND BUYING HALFORDS LH5X SPRAY PAINT AND DIY as the colour for my car is visually off when in sunlight (annoying but can live with it). Weirdly the larger sensor holders came out looking better than the actual sensors in terms of colour matching.
