Have you ever wondered what goes into removing the rear bumper cover on a Tesla Model 3? Well, in this blog post, we will take you through a step-by-step tutorial on how to do just that. So, sit back, relax, and let’s dive into the world of Tesla repairs.
First and foremost, it’s important to have the right tools for the job. You will need a pair of channel locks, an 8mm ratcheting wrench (or a 1/4 inch ratchet with an 8mm socket), a clip tool (or a flat blade screwdriver), a Torx T25 screwdriver, and a 3/8 ratchet with a 10mm socket. Once you have all your tools ready, it’s time to get started.
With the trunk open, use your fingers to roll the weather strip to partially release the quarter trim panel. You will then see two 8mm nuts attaching the tail light to the vehicle, as well as a wiring connector. Use your clip tool or flat blade screwdriver to slide the red locking tab away from the tail light to release the wiring connector. Use your 8mm ratcheting wrench to remove the two nuts holding the tail light in place.
Next, use a pair of channel locks to turn the tail light Bump Stop counter-clockwise before twisting it off with your hand. Slightly pull the tail light out to grab underneath and lift it up to release the two outer guide pins. Make sure the tail light gasket is on the tail light to prevent any water leaks.
Repeat the same process on the other side of the vehicle to remove the right tail light. Once both tail lights are removed, you will see a 10mm bolt attaching the rear bumper cover to the vehicle. Remove this bolt and move to the side of the rear bumper cover behind the rear wheel.
Remove the three clips on each side that hold the quarter liner to the bumper. Use a clip tool or flat blade screwdriver to pry up on either side of the cutout to release the clips. Behind the quarter liner, you will find a Torx T25 screw holding the rear bumper cover to the retainer. Remove the screw and the metal spacer clip attached to the rear bumper tab.
Underneath the rear bumper cover, there are two plastic flaps that need to be pried open to reveal 10mm bolts. Remove these bolts, as well as four more 10mm bolts holding the bumper to the vehicle. Be careful when removing the bolts, as they all have Loctite on them.
Finally, apply slight pressure outward while hitting the bumper from the bottom upward to release it from the bumper retainers. Unplug the wiring connector from the rear bumper harness and gently remove the bumper cover from the vehicle.
And there you have it, a comprehensive tutorial on how to remove the rear bumper cover on a Tesla Model 3. Don’t forget to subscribe for more Tesla repairs and tutorials every Friday. Happy repairing!
