Front bumper tow cap thingy, remove...

[SirSuraj]

Hello

Anybody now how to remove this little round thingy? I'm guessing it would be best to poke out from behind. Is that correct?

(How the hell did the previous owner let it get like this??)

 

[NickT]

Probably couldn't get the bugger off to spray it!

 

[SirSuraj]

More than likely!!

I got a new one and would like to paint it and stick it on.

Surely I havn't stumped the forum???

 

[lc_allan]

Why get a new one if your going to paint it anyway?. Surely you could have sanded, primed and painted the old one?. It only looks like flaking paint.

 

[SirSuraj]

That is true, but I thought a new one that came primed was worth the £1.50. I could spray it fully whilst off the car and get a nice neat finish.

But painting over it may be my only option at the mo. What exactly is the cover for anyway? If it is for towing then shouldnt it be easily removable?

 

[dre]

Hi,

The cover is for a bolt that holds the bumper to the chassis. You should use a small flathead screwdriver, covered in maskingtape or similar to prevent scratching the bumper, and lever out either side. It's held in with two clips and a tab. May take a bit of effort.

 

[SirSuraj]

Thanks Dre, i'll try that after some breakfast! Will keep you posted.

 

[Willie]

The towing eye is behind the grill that the fog light sits in.
Give it a tug and you'll see a female thread this is where your towing eye goes into.
See never beaten

 

[SirSuraj]

I havnt got jacks, so cant raise the car to see whats going on behind the bumper.

Whats the towing "eye"?

 

[Willie]

You don't need jacks to remove this part , just kneel down and you'll se it.
the eye is in the spare wheel and its a loop with a male thread on it

 

[SirSuraj]

Okay so the cap has nothing to do with towing, and is purely to cover the bolt holding bumper to chassis. So how did it get in this state, if its not for towing?

I think the female tow thread you mentioned JuniorSenior is on the other side, drivers side, correct?

Anyhow, prised it off with a thin and thick screwdriver. I must say that Seat do like their tight fits! Not even I like them that tight!!!

I dont think there is anyway to get that cap off without bending it completely. You wouldnt be able to use it again. And it'll probably have scratches on it by this point!

Luckily I bought spare ones. Given it one coat of custom made spray paint from Halfreuds, and was going to give it another coat. Do i need to sand lightly before I spray over it again?

 

[Leigh15]

You're misunderstanding.

Unlike older cars the Leon doesn't have a fixed towing eye that's poking out of the car all the time, rather it has a removable one that lives in the spare wheel well with the tools and it can be screwed in place if needed.

The cover you're asking about covers the hole that the eye screws into when you want to use it.

Hope that helps

 

[SirSuraj]

But Dre said earlier that the cap was for covering the bumper-to-chassis bolt?

 

[Leigh15]

My mistake - I'm confusing my cars here - as JuniorSenior said, the tow eye screws in behind the fog lamp cover, the cover you're asking about does indeed cover a bumper bolt

 

[SirSuraj]

No worries Leigh. I did take some pictures to prove i aint going mental, and that somebody is telling fibs!

Leigh, would you advise a little sanding before I spray a second paint? Or spray directly over first coat?

 

[Leigh15]

Personally I'd remove the old cover and then spray a new one to fit in it's place.

Failing that you'd need to get the old one smooth as otherwise you'll see the outline of where the paints peeled in the new paint, if you see what I mean?

 

[SirSuraj]

Yeah i get you Leigh.

I have bought a new one. And have given it one coat.

But the spray was so powerful, i decided to leave a bit more distance when spraying, so just a fine mist settled on it. But its a bit light, and could do with another coat. Just wasnt sure if i should sand lightly before another coat. Or would this just ruin it? Shall i spray a second coat directly on to the first?