Rear Valance bracket issue

[A4manic]

About three years ago, I had someone hit me from behind and dent the bumper. I had it replaced via my insurance. Fast forward to now, I am washing the car this past weekend and while cleaning the rear valance, I hear a rattle sound. I crawl underneath the car and I see the bracket. The top screw that is attached into the metal bumper reinforcement bar is very loose. It doesn't look like a screw but a rivet and the middle seems to be stripped... Or maybe it is a screw that is stripped. Anyway, is the screw in the bottom suppose to be the same as the one in the top? I am thinking the body shop did a shitty job attaching the top screw. I only see fixing this issue by removing the rear bumper and getting some self tapping screws and reattach but no wanting to do that. There is not much room there so a regular drill will not fit. Maybe use a right angle drill and a self tapping screw? Any other ideas?

[Audi_509]

I had the same issue. I used rubber bands but they failed after a few months. I ended up punching out the rivet and used a self tapping screws. It's a tight fit but it can be done without taking out the bumper. Here are few links with additional information and options.

http://www.audizine.com/forum/showth...valance-rattle

http://www.audizine.com/forum/showth...ap-replacement

[b7_Andy]

Ya it's a rivet not a screw, don't know why they did that because those plastic things that hold the bumper cover break all the time and then it sucks to repair them.


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[Theiceman]

..unless you got hit again and didnt realize it .. looks like that rivet has been stressed.

[mtroxel]

It is a rivet. Got tired of hearing the rattle every d--n time I closed my trunk so I removed the cover and the aluminum bumper and did this. The plastic was broken on mine so I cut it out and put a piece of scrap aluminum angle in there. Has been fine for over a year now.

[b7_Andy]

Here's what I did to replace mine lol

[Theiceman]

That's some elegant work andy. You missed hour calling as a dental surgeon....not!!!

[b7_Andy]

That's some elegant work andy. You missed hour calling as a dental surgeon....not!!!

Hahaha, I was so pissed when I ordered the plastic parts and then went under there and realized they're not screwed in with a real screw. I'm just like, hell I'll make these damn things fit! And now they're quick release, just slide them right out!

[A4manic]

Thanks for all the postings. I see the engineer that designed this part on our cars should have been reprimanded for their suggestion. Sounds not too bad to fix. Thanks everyone.

[oVeRdOsE]

I had 2 new braket, and I ended up with zip tie. did the job

[mtroxel]

I see the engineer that designed this part on our cars should have been reprimanded for their suggestion.

When I see a really bad design like this, I always imagine some Engineering Manager throwing a simple little project at some kid straight out of college and telling him, "If you spend more than 2 hours on this your not cut out for this world. It's not a new motor, it's a dumb little bracket."