Rear parking sensor W209

[James99]

Just wondering if anyone has any tips - the rightmost parking sensor on the rear bumper of my W209 moved 1/2 inch back in the socket and was loose. I tried to push it forward from behind the bumper but only managed to accidentally pull it all the way out so now it's dangling down by its electrical cable. I think the official way to fit a parking sensor is to remove the whole rear bumper, but is that really needed?

Any tips to getting this sensor back in place please - I'm assuming there is some kind of retaining clip somewhere? It's pretty hard to see in there. Many thanks.

 

[television]

I can give you the info for removing the rear bumper

 

[James99]

Hi Malcolm, thank you for your kind offer. I was actually hoping to avoid removing the bumper if at all possible - I've seen instructions for removing the rear bumper and it looks rather involved for a non mechanic.

 

[television]

Can you not make up some implement to push it back in with from the rear, or is there some suction device around so that you could pull it back in place

 

[James99]

A suction device is a great idea - I will try to formulate something. I was going to pull it through with thread but the socket fits flush with the sensor so the thread would have got stuck. I can see where it has to go from behind and can almost get it there with my fingers, it's just very fiddly to access (maybe the bumper will have to come off in which case it would be a trip to a garage). Thank you again Malcolm!