[bobbydigital]

I've got an F36 with the side view cameras and parking assist. So this means there are sensors in the front fender right next to the orange reflectors.

I have the IND painted reflectors and I'm planning on installing this week. However I wanted to know in advance if there are any tips with disconnecting the sensors I need to know about?

Will they be straightforward to disconnect once I peel back the fender liner?

[ska///235i]

No need to disconnect, search the DIY thread and just read the last few post on what to do

[zro2gon]

When installing new painted reflector don't try and install it from the fender wheel well. Put it through the reflector hole with one hand behind and guide it in with the other otherwise you risk scratching it trying to go behind the bumper cameras and wires

[bobbydigital]

Originally Posted by zro2gon

When installing new painted reflector don't try and install it from the fender wheel well. Put it through the reflector hole with one hand behind and guide it in with the other otherwise you risk scratching it trying to go behind the bumper cameras and wires

But you're saying to still go through the wheel well to remove the original one, right?

[ska///235i]

Just heat the reflector for a good 5-10 minutes (hairdryer or heatgun at low)

The adhesive will start to give way and just push the reflector in.

Wear gloves..DO NOT use any type of pry tool

Yes its really that simple

[bobbydigital]

Originally Posted by ska///235i

Just heat the reflector for a good 5-10 minutes (hairdryer or heatgun at low)

The adhesive will start to give way and just push the reflector in.

Wear gloves..DO NOT use any type of pry tool

I have a heat gun so that's taken care of. Are you saying I should be able to heat it, remove it and install the new painted reflector without even going through the wheel well?

[ska///235i]

Haha u still need to pull the plastic fender out of the way

But no need to remove sensors

[zro2gon]

Originally Posted by bobbydigital

But you're saying to still go through the wheel well to remove the original one, right?

Yeah that's fine. Didn't care about scratching the ugly Orange one

[ronanz]

Originally Posted by bobbydigital

I have a heat gun so that's taken care of. Are you saying I should be able to heat it, remove it and install the new painted reflector without even going through the wheel well?

Once you heat enough to push old reflector thru, be sure to remove any and all remaining adhesive before you install new reflectors.

.

[bobbydigital]

Ok I tried this today with a heat gun and couldn't get them out, so gave up because I ran out of time.

I opened the fender liner by removing the four screws with an 8mm hex.

Using a heat gun on low, I heated the reflector some the outside (so paint side) since I couldn't heat from the inside due to the sensor and camera there.

After 5 minutes, I tried pushing the reflector in but it wouldn't budge. Heated it up again some more for another 5 mins and still wouldn't budge. I felt like I used quite a bit of force but didn't want to risk pushing any harder at risk of damaging the fender or surrounding paint.

I ending up burning the tip of my finger a bit from the hot reflector so I know it was fairly warm. (I originally was planning on using work gloves to protect my hands but my gloves are way too thick which reduced my ability to get inside the fender).

I avoided heating a lot more at risk of melting the plastic or something else.

I'm thinking I need to use a screwdriver or something for leverage to pry from the inside to get it to move just a bit.

Any other tips?

[ska///235i]

You didnt heat it enough, or you heat the reflector and not around the reflector. Wear gloves

Dont pry it'll dent your bumper

[bobbydigital]

Originally Posted by ska///235i

You didnt heat it enough, or you heat the reflector and not around the reflector. Wear gloves

Dont pry it'll dent your bumper

Is my technique of heating it on the paint side going to work?

[zro2gon]

Heat around the reflector where it meets the bumper. Just don't keep the heat in one spot. Do circular motions with the heat gun. Then press on it and it should loosen up more and more. Don't put heat gun too close either

[ronanz]

^^ +1 The key is heating around reflector in a circular pattern

.

[bobbydigital]

Originally Posted by ronanz

^^ +1 The key is heating around reflector in a circular pattern

.

I swear I did that for 5 mins then another 5 when I originally tried it. Will try it again later this week.

[ska///235i]

Originally Posted by bobbydigital

I swear I did that for 5 mins then another 5 when I originally tried it. Will try it again later this week.

Do you live in cold climate?

The adhesive will give in once it reach certain temp.

[bobbydigital]

Originally Posted by ska///235i

Do you live in cold climate?

The adhesive will give in once it reach certain temp.

Nope. Seattle.