I'm a noob -- dropped my reflector inside my front bumper....

bunny · 11-18-2010, 02:10 PM

I deserve to be made fun of for being such a noob.

My clear reflectors from JLevi came in and with the help of a thread in this forum, I was able to pop out my orange reflector with super ease. I proceeded to insert my new clear reflector thinking I had the top part positioned correctly, so I went to snap it in and it goes to far in and falls down into my front bumper

sigh... now i don't think i can get to it without taking apart the bottom part of the bumper. I had absolutely no problem putting the orange reflector back on.

dammit, i suck.

SUB-ZERO · 11-18-2010, 02:14 PM

I had to remove the bottom piece in order to get it out. It's only about 5 min.

bunny · 11-18-2010, 02:17 PM

That's good to know. I haven't tried it yet because I was already running late for work. I thought I'd have to remove the front tire to get to the bolts, but guess not if it only takes 5 min. yayz! thx

ES_TRADER · 11-18-2010, 02:21 PM

lol....not laughing at u...just funny they way the post was written

JohnnyRoaster · 11-18-2010, 02:23 PM

I think I read on another thread somebody was able to fish it out with a piece of duct tape on a flexible rod. I was really careful when I changed mine because others had posted about dropping it in. It could be a lot worse like dropping a screw in your intake.

Georgeair · 11-18-2010, 02:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JohnnyRoaster

I think I read on another thread somebody was able to fish it out with a piece of duct tape on a flexible rod. I was really careful when I changed mine because others had posted about dropping it in. It could be a lot worse like dropping a screw in your intake.

I did this with success on the side gills. With patience this should take under a minute for the OP. You're essentially building an appropriately sized ball of inside-out duct tape on the end of your flexible fisher.

bunny · 11-18-2010, 08:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JohnnyRoaster

I think I read on another thread somebody was able to fish it out with a piece of duct tape on a flexible rod. I was really careful when I changed mine because others had posted about dropping it in. It could be a lot worse like dropping a screw in your intake.

haha... I actually tried doing that with a chopstick and a ball of ducktape on the end, but it didn't work. Perhaps I wasn't patient enough :P

VonSwoopington · 11-18-2010, 08:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bunny

haha... I actually tried doing that with a chopstick and a ball of ducktape on the end, but it didn't work. Perhaps I wasn't patient enough :P

When you get it out use some painters tape to attach the top part of the reflector to the bumper first.

I just put mine on about an hour ago and it took me about 10 minutes. It would have been faster but one of them was pretty difficult to make completely flush.

warzilla · 11-18-2010, 11:16 PM

Use a dry cleaner wire hanger. Just twist it and use the hanger hook as the hook to 'fish' out the reflector.

LateBraking · 11-18-2010, 11:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JohnnyRoaster

I think I read on another thread somebody was able to fish it out with a piece of duct tape on a flexible rod. I was really careful when I changed mine because others had posted about dropping it in. It could be a lot worse like dropping a screw in your intake.

That was me. I wrote the DIY for the reflector removal, and I learned the hard way. Don't feel bad bunny, others just learn from our mistakes.

Here's my DIY post, a few posts down from OP, in case its required anymore.

http://www.m3post.com/forums/showthread.php?t=424661

MysticBlue · 11-19-2010, 12:27 AM

Same thing happened to me. I just took a few fasteners off the plastic piece on the bottom. I didn't have to take anything all the way off, just undo enough to kind of pry it open enough to fit my hand in there up to my forearm. If I remember right, I think I jacked up the car a few inches to give me a little more room.

Montoya · 11-19-2010, 12:43 AM

Duh, been there done that.

Use a coat hanger with some sticky tape on the end. Comes right out after a couple tries.

Your only mistake was telling everyone... JK!

Gamoto · 11-19-2010, 07:26 AM

Can any one post a picture of their M3 showing the clear reflector ?

Thanks in advance !

Lodaka · 11-19-2010, 11:16 AM

It shoudn't be too difficult to access the front bumper area... Just be ready to be messy and dirty. However, since your car is relatively new, you might be okay though.

I used painter's tape to install my painted reflectors, in case they slip and fall in...

LateBraking · 11-19-2010, 11:17 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Gamoto

Can any one post a picture of their M3 showing the clear reflector ?

Thanks in advance !

Edit: Here.

If you're local Rowland Heights/Diamond Bar, I have a set available. For the awesome price of free. Just know that I used the reflectors for about a year and a half, and now water gets inside. Quality wasn't what I hoped, but they look all right and the water dissapears after a day in the sun, so meh. Can't complain, I'm giving it away free.

ES_TRADER · 11-19-2010, 11:30 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by iBeJayKaying

That was me. I wrote the DIY for the reflector removal, and I learned the hard way. Don't feel bad bunny, others just learn from our mistakes.

Here's my DIY post, a few posts down from OP, in case its required anymore.

http://www.m3post.com/forums/showthread.php?t=424661

Hi,

i read the DIY but i didnt see the painters tape. i have no clue where to put it...would u mind showing a pic? thx

LateBraking · 11-19-2010, 11:40 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by richpuer

Hi,

i read the DIY but i didnt see the painters tape. i have no clue where to put it...would u mind showing a pic? thx

Hi rich,

I was really lazy when I made the DIY (was in my pajamas ready for bed) and I had done it so many times that I wasn't worried, so I didn't use any painters tape. I'll update the DIY when I get a chance but for now, please make do with this really crappy Microsoft Paint image.

Blue is where painters tape should go. The strips are so that it has a lesser probability of falling in, the bottom part is to reduce chance of scratching your bumper.

If I have time tonight, I will make a legit DIY instead of just a thread response and put it in the DIY section.

mwlmd · 11-19-2010, 11:50 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bunny

haha... I actually tried doing that with a chopstick and a ball of ducktape on the end, but it didn't work. Perhaps I wasn't patient enough :P

LOL. I did the same thing.... but used a piece of chewing gum stuck on the end. Taped 2 chopsticks together. Worked great.

ThunderMoose · 11-19-2010, 02:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by iBeJayKaying

Hi rich,

I was really lazy when I made the DIY (was in my pajamas ready for bed) and I had done it so many times that I wasn't worried, so I didn't use any painters tape. I'll update the DIY when I get a chance but for now, please make do with this really crappy Microsoft Paint image.

Blue is where painters tape should go. The strips are so that it has a lesser probability of falling in, the bottom part is to reduce chance of scratching your bumper.

If I have time tonight, I will make a legit DIY instead of just a thread response and put it in the DIY section.

This is awesome!

Georgeair · 11-20-2010, 10:55 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mlaynemd

LOL. I did the same thing.... but used a piece of chewing gum stuck on the end. Taped 2 chopsticks together. Worked great.

Well played, but that's a recipe to end up with a pile of shit dropped in there along with the reflector!

ES_TRADER · 11-20-2010, 11:01 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by iBeJayKaying

Quote:

Originally Posted by richpuer

Hi,

i read the DIY but i didnt see the painters tape. i have no clue where to put it...would u mind showing a pic? thx

Hi rich,

I was really lazy when I made the DIY (was in my pajamas ready for bed) and I had done it so many times that I wasn't worried, so I didn't use any painters tape. I'll update the DIY when I get a chance but for now, please make do with this really crappy Microsoft Paint image.

Blue is where painters tape should go. The strips are so that it has a lesser probability of falling in, the bottom part is to reduce chance of scratching your bumper.

If I have time tonight, I will make a legit DIY instead of just a thread response and put it in the DIY section.

Oh man that is excellent. Thanks alot! Ur very creative indeed

bunny · 11-20-2010, 05:59 PM

yay, I was able to fetch out my clear reflector by taping TWO chopsticks together with a ball of duck tape on the end. It was quite simple and easy.

I also used painters tape to secure the clear reflector to the inside of the bumper before installing it this time and I'm glad I did. For some reason, the clear reflector was a little harder to snap in than the orange one, but at least I didn't drop it in again

Here is a picture of what it looks like now:

11-18-2010, 02:10 PM	#1
bunny Private First Class 19 Rep 116 Posts Drives: e92 m3 Join Date: Oct 2010 Location: Orange County iTrader: (1)	I'm a noob -- dropped my reflector inside my front bumper.... I deserve to be made fun of for being such a noob. My clear reflectors from JLevi came in and with the help of a thread in this forum, I was able to pop out my orange reflector with super ease. I proceeded to insert my new clear reflector thinking I had the top part positioned correctly, so I went to snap it in and it goes to far in and falls down into my front bumper sigh... now i don't think i can get to it without taking apart the bottom part of the bumper. I had absolutely no problem putting the orange reflector back on. dammit, i suck.
	Appreciate 0 Tweet Quote

11-18-2010, 02:14 PM	#2
SUB-ZERO Lieutenant Colonel 294 Rep 1,709 Posts Drives: 2018 M2 + Spur, DB11, F12, X5 Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: VA iTrader: (0)	I had to remove the bottom piece in order to get it out. It's only about 5 min.
	Appreciate 0 Quote

11-18-2010, 02:17 PM	#3
bunny Private First Class 19 Rep 116 Posts Drives: e92 m3 Join Date: Oct 2010 Location: Orange County iTrader: (1)	That's good to know. I haven't tried it yet because I was already running late for work. I thought I'd have to remove the front tire to get to the bolts, but guess not if it only takes 5 min. yayz! thx
	Appreciate 0 Quote

11-18-2010, 02:21 PM	#4
ES_TRADER Colonel 344 Rep 2,928 Posts Drives: 328i, 335i, M3, 535i, X5, 36M Join Date: Oct 2010 Location: OC iTrader: (3) Garage List 2014 Ford Raptor [0.00] 2012 328i E92 [10.00] 2013 X5 [0.00] 2013 335i F30 [8.00] 1990 Toyota Previa [0.00] 1997 E36 M3 [10.00] 2011 E92 M3 [0.00] 2011 535i [0.00]	lol....not laughing at u...just funny they way the post was written
	Appreciate 0 Quote

11-18-2010, 02:23 PM	#5
JohnnyRoaster Captain 42 Rep 959 Posts Drives: 09 Jerez Black M3 Sedan Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Outside Beantown iTrader: (0)	I think I read on another thread somebody was able to fish it out with a piece of duct tape on a flexible rod. I was really careful when I changed mine because others had posted about dropping it in. It could be a lot worse like dropping a screw in your intake. __________________
	Appreciate 0 Quote

11-18-2010, 11:16 PM	#9
warzilla Lieutenant 148 Rep 598 Posts Drives: E46 M3, f31 330, f31 328d Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: NYC iTrader: (-1)	Use a dry cleaner wire hanger. Just twist it and use the hanger hook as the hook to 'fish' out the reflector. __________________ 2006 M3 ZHP in IB (Crashed) \| 2005 M3 ZHP in IB (Sold) 2004 M3 in IR - Current 2018 330ix Wagon - Current 2017 328d Wagon - Current
	Appreciate 0 Quote

11-19-2010, 12:27 AM	#11
MysticBlue Lieutenant Colonel 369 Rep 1,887 Posts Drives: '20 M5C, '09 M3 DCT Coupe Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Eastern Oregon... They call 'em rigs here iTrader: (0)	Same thing happened to me. I just took a few fasteners off the plastic piece on the bottom. I didn't have to take anything all the way off, just undo enough to kind of pry it open enough to fit my hand in there up to my forearm. If I remember right, I think I jacked up the car a few inches to give me a little more room.
	Appreciate 0 Quote

11-19-2010, 12:43 AM	#12
Montoya Lieutenant 52 Rep 574 Posts Drives: 2015 GT3 Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: Portland iTrader: (0)	Duh, been there done that. Use a coat hanger with some sticky tape on the end. Comes right out after a couple tries. Your only mistake was telling everyone... JK! __________________ '08 E92 IB, Gone '10 GT3 now in my garage! '10 X5 3.5D '12 E91 Xi Wagon MT sports package
	Appreciate 0 Quote

11-19-2010, 07:26 AM	#13
Gamoto Second Lieutenant 124 Rep 263 Posts Drives: 2016 M6 Convertible 2018 750ix Join Date: Oct 2010 Location: Ohio iTrader: (0)	Can any one post a picture of their M3 showing the clear reflector ? Thanks in advance !
	Appreciate 0 Quote

11-19-2010, 11:16 AM	#14
Lodaka Second Lieutenant 9 Rep 203 Posts Drives: 2011 E92 M3 DCT Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Vancouver, BC iTrader: (4)	It shoudn't be too difficult to access the front bumper area... Just be ready to be messy and dirty. However, since your car is relatively new, you might be okay though. I used painter's tape to install my painted reflectors, in case they slip and fall in...
	Appreciate 0 Quote

11-20-2010, 05:59 PM	#22
bunny Private First Class 19 Rep 116 Posts Drives: e92 m3 Join Date: Oct 2010 Location: Orange County iTrader: (1)	yay, I was able to fetch out my clear reflector by taping TWO chopsticks together with a ball of duck tape on the end. It was quite simple and easy. I also used painters tape to secure the clear reflector to the inside of the bumper before installing it this time and I'm glad I did. For some reason, the clear reflector was a little harder to snap in than the orange one, but at least I didn't drop it in again Here is a picture of what it looks like now: Attached Images
	Appreciate 0 Quote