Reverse sensors positioning

[grogee]

Got the rear bumper off mine and I've had some sensors to fit for ages so now's the time to fit.

I've seen a pic of a Puma with rev sensors on and it looks like there's just two. This would make sense because the rear bumper is a bit of a unit and has the inner and outer bits plastic welded together.

So basically I've only got access to two points for mounting the sensors - where the inner part has a cut-out allowing access to the outer (painted) part.

Anyone done this already, got any pics or guidance?

My set has four sensors. Not sure whether it'll work with just two plugged in. Ideally I'd like to use all four but could live with two if I had to. I'll get some pics later of the inner bit so my drivel makes a bit more sense.

 

[red]

This one has four sensors (came in a pack of 6 and they apparently fitted 2 to the front), not sure if this view helps at all though

 

[grogee]

Pics

 

[grogee]

Thanks Red that helps a lot

 

[YOG]

Picture of factory-fit, from brochure:

Factory Fit Pic From Brochure

• YOG
• Apr 14, 2020

Inside of my bumper, with inner section removed to fit magnetic reversing strip (white strip):

Bumper Inside Removed 01

• YOG
• Apr 14, 2020

Bumper inside general views:

Bumper Rear Inside 01

• YOG
• Apr 14, 2020

Bumper Rear Inside 02

• YOG
• Apr 14, 2020

 

[grogee]

Thanks, I think the option ones were actually dealer fit but the positioning is very useful.

Removing the inner part looked very difficult as I can't see any fixings as such, just a load of plastic welding. Is it hard?

Right, now I'm off to Google what on earth a magnetic reversing strip is...

Thanks all

 

[YOG]

Like these, but not the actual one. Was quite erratic, so gave up using it in the end.
https://www.amazon.co.uk/GOZAR-Electric-Magnetic-Parking-Reversing/dp/B0772CZT4F
https://www.proxel.com/en/

 

[red]

The only mention I can see (I've never done it) to the rear bumper when someone cut it down a bit was to refit with tiger seal (sealant didnt hold).

I'd have assumed that there would be a better way if the dealer could fit the sensors.

 

[red]

Interestingly in the post I quoted Fordfreak reckons you could fit the ones he bought while the bumper was still fitted to the car :shock:

 

[grogee]

Well I fitted mine in the "accessible" areas from the inside of the bumper. It's ok but I think the outer ones are probably facing too far to the left/right rather than rearwards as they should be. I won't really know until I use it a bit and get a sense of what they are detecting.

 

[red]

looks like a tidy job.

 

[grogee]

Glad you think so. For future reference should anyone be trying the same - the colour of sensors is Sky Blue. It is not a great match for Medium Steel Blue but it's close enough for jazz as they say.

The other thing worth mentioning is that there is a fine "z=400" line scribed on the inside of the bumper. I think this relates to the low speed crash test which they do to determine insurance group. But it's a useful guide to where the 'bulgy' bit is most 'outy'. (Sorry, I've lost my command of the English language during lockdown).

 

[st220kyle]

Nice job, looks a good match to me

 

[red]

But it's a useful guide to where the 'bulgy' bit is most 'outy'. (Sorry, I've lost my command of the English language during lockdown).

:lol:

 

[grogee]

Update. I managed to get hold of a set of bumpers in the right colour. I wanted to change them because there's a dent in the rear and the front bumper paint was crazing.

Anyway I decided to try a bit harder to get the two outer sensors into the 'factory' position. To achieve this I needed to cut away the inner plastic crash structure. I used a 4 or 5 inch hole saw around the area I reckoned the outer sensors should go. Used a power hacksaw to cut through the rest of the inner material which revealed faint marks showing correct positions for sensors.

Then I used the little hole saw that came with the sensor kit to drill through the outer skin for the sensor mountings.

This will make a lot more sense with some pics which I'll post tomorrow! Anyway the end result is this.

 

[John Woodward]

That looks really good. I just put mine in the easiest place, but they work well enough. Newer cars seem to have them more on the corner, that's my excuse 1

 

[grogee]

Certainly easier John! This is the hole you have to cut to get access to what I think is the 'official' position.

I think the only way to get it done without removing the bumper is with a template (maybe Ford supplied a cardboard one with the official accessory kit) or very careful measuring. The problem is measuring over curved surfaces is tricky. Even then I'm not sure how you'd get the wiring into the car through the body - I used the grommet that has the foglamp and number plate wiring, just cut an 'X' in it with a Stanley knife.

 

[John Woodward]

I drilled a new hole in the centre and used a large "tapered" grommet so all 4 wires from the sensors would fit through, the tapered part of the grommet is facing out and the entry point sealed with silicone to prevent water ingress.