Leon II Rear Bumper Removal?

[Stealthy]

Hi guys,
I've searched unsuccessfully on here (and on the web) for a guide to removing the rear bumper on my '57 FR.
I want to fit a towbar and have sourced a Bosal with removable swan neck. The instructions for the towbar show you have to remove the rear lights (easy) and the locations of the torx screws in the wheel arches, underneath the bumper and the ones in the light cluster recesses. Then it just says "remove the bumper"!
Having checked VERY carefully, the bumper appears to be free everywhere except for either side where it meets the metal of the rear wings in the line down from the light cluster to the wheel arch. Am I missing something? Are there some hidden screws/fixings?
I'd really appreciate some guidance as I've tried to pull the bumper out sideways where it meets the body but I don't want to force (read 'break' ) it! Is it just a case of brute force being needed? Is there a tool that would help?

Thanks in advance!

 

[Stealthy]

OK - after LOTS of searching I found this thread: 128404

(the forum won't let me put the URL in properly yet)

Apparently official SEAT instructions.......

BUT it still doesn't answer the question of whether there is a 'safe' way to remove the bumper where it meets the quarter panels without breaking anything?

Any hints, do's or don'ts?

 

[Stealthy]

Anyone? Please?

My car is sitting in the drive with everything ready for fitting the towbar but I just can't get that rear bumper off.............

 

[gh.fr]

I removed mine recently to fit parking sensors. It really is a case of pulling the bumper outwards away from the rear wings. It is clipped in very tight. I used a hair dryer to warm the plastic of the bumper where it meets the wings as I was afraid of snapping the plastic. It worked for me.

 

[Stealthy]

Thanks for the tip re the hair dryer. I'll give it a go right now!

 

[Stealthy]

gh.fr, you Sir, are a diamond!

It worked like a charm - a good 3-4 mins with a hot hair dryer and off it popped without too much effort! Thanks!

 

[gh.fr]

Glad to be of help! I've always been able to find the info I need on here so good to able to give something back...

 

[Stealthy]

Well, a successful day!

Bumper off, towbar, electrics (CAN-BUS version) and reversing sensors all fitted, car interior dismantled and reassembled, bumper and lights back on and all tested and working!

A very happy bunny after a dismal Saturday when I didn't even think I'd get the bumper off!