Hey folks I haven't gotten the rear bumper off yet but how exactly do you install those rear bumper reflectors on the back? There doesn't seem to be any obvious clips and they didn't come with anything.....

They are held in place with thread cutting nuts from the rear of the reflector.

Take the ones off the originals and reuse them on the studs of the new reflectors.

[This message has been edited by IMSA GT (edited 07-09-2018).]

remove the taillights, marker lights and rear bumper enough to access the inside.
put reflector in the holes
put big "speed nut" on the plastic showing thru the bumper. (2 per reflector)

Many types "speed nut," clips, etc, works here but watch too tight or loose... too loose can fall off, too tight can break the plastic over time. Should be fairly easy to push/thread them on.

If you don't want to remove the bumper...
maybe thick 3M trim tape. Thicker is often needed because both parts aren't completely flat. You want weather/water resistant tape not most 2 sided tape made for indoor use sold by HD Kmart etc.
You Must clean both to remove any dirt, oil, wax, etc. Spray a rag w/ brake cleaner then wipe areas for tape.

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I cheated when I put them on my car. Mine were faded and cracked when I took mine out when prepping the car for paint. I found some decent ones at the scrap yard. I did not feel like taking the bumper off my freshly painted car to install them. I used a silicone adhesive on the back of the reflectors, and the studs lined them up perfectly when I pressed them into place. Not professional I know...... but 4 years later they are still there, and I doubt will ever come out without a whole lot of work hahaha!

[This message has been edited by JohnWPB (edited 07-09-2018).]

quote Originally posted by IMSA GT: They are held in place with thread cutting nuts from the rear of the reflector. Take the ones off the originals and reuse them on the studs of the new reflectors.

Many don't have OEM ones and many that have them are rusted and break trying to reused them.

The ones I've seen are just push on clips to hold them. Not even a "speed nut." I can't take a picture right now. Have one but not sure where.

quote Originally posted by JohnWPB: I cheated when I put them on my car. Mine were faded and cracked when I took mine out when prepping the car for paint. I found some decent ones at the scrap yard. I did not feel like taking the bumper off my freshly painted car to install them. I used a silicone adhesive on the back of the reflectors, and the studs lined them up perfectly when I pressed them into place. Not professional I know...... but 4 years later they are still there, and I doubt will ever come out without a whole lot of work hahaha!

Any "glue" often need cleaning too. Example, RTV Silicon hates oil wax etc and only luck holding it. Wrong "glue" can hurt the plastic bumper or both so watch what you use.

All ive seen use the push on flat clips Ogre describes. They just have a hole with a little barb on 2 sides, You just push them on the stud with a socket. Getting them off is harder. I use 3M 2 sided tape myself.

quote Originally posted by JohnWPB: I cheated when I put them on my car. Mine were faded and cracked when I took mine out when prepping the car for paint. I found some decent ones at the scrap yard. I did not feel like taking the bumper off my freshly painted car to install them. I used a silicone adhesive on the back of the reflectors, and the studs lined them up perfectly when I pressed them into place. Not professional I know...... but 4 years later they are still there, and I doubt will ever come out without a whole lot of work hahaha!

NIce trick. I would do the same especially on a newly painted bumper.

An old rusted OEM clip...

Clip is "dome shape" so goes on one-way
Can stack 3-4 clips trying to = thickness of quarter next to it.
I didn't reused because of rust... Other clip broke because rust made stress risers.
Seen others w/ ear tips are gone.


To "fix" crappy reflectors... I cut reflector tape to fit OE one.
You carefully hold/clip to the reflector then carefully cut the tape inside the "boarder" and DOT label w/ Xacto knife. If done right the "boarder" area can act like 1/2 of scissors as you cut so can get good fit w/ little effort.
Did mine out of bumper but could be done in it w/ different shape blades. Clearing DOT marking is so won't lift the tape letting water etc under.


My D side reflector went "bad" from dirt/exaust inside and can't clean it because nearly 100% "glued" or welded to the back. This one has broken mount ears too so had to fix asap. I drilled 1mm hole of leftover mount and held w/ small SS wire on back of bumper.
Have better one to replace but couldn't find it to pass inspection. A few feet away no-one notice except colors don't mach exact.

If you have dual output exhaust soot can inside both easy...
Dirt Kills Reflectors? Plastic/Glass prismatic reflectors need clean backs to work well because uses plastic/air interface to bounce light. Dirt Exhaust etc can change refractive index and stop working. I clean many taillight fixture w/ builtin reflectors for this reason alone.