2005 CTS Rear Bumper Access Cover

endors · #1 (**permalink**) 03-16-09, 11:39 PM

I am looking for that square access cover on the rear bumper for my black 2005 CTS. The dealer wants $80 for one. I have checked Ebay with no luck.

If I have to I will dish out 80 beans, but if I could find one at a better price that would be cool.

Anyone help?

txbest1980 · #2 (**permalink**) 03-16-09, 11:47 PM

have you checked a local junk yard?

endors · #3 (**permalink**) 03-17-09, 06:05 PM

Not yet, the junk yards an option that's on my list. I was checking to see if anyone had a better idea or place where I can order one.
Can't seem to find one on fleabay for some reason. Maybe that trip to the yard is in order?

endors · #4 (**permalink**) 03-22-09, 06:15 PM

So check this out...

I was tired of looking around for the access cover for my caddy. Found a few good prices from Cadillac parts companies. One was for around $50. Instead of jumping and picking one up I made one!

I went under the car and cut of a piece of the rear bumper. Now it may sound crazy but there is extra plastic that you would never ever notice missing. I cut out a 2X2 section out. I then taped a piece of white paper over the hole on the bumper. I took a pencil and etched the edges of the hole. I then cut the paper shape out. I took the piece of bumper and laid it over the paper and drew what needed to be trimmed. I took a grinder with a sand paper wheel and shaped the plastic to a perfect match. Cleaned the edges and glued it it place!

Perfect fit and no one would ever know.

Maybe I should sell a few?

By the way, "true story", no reason to lie, only reason to share a story with others that may have the same issue. There are actually people out there that think it's cool to steal parts off of others peeps rides!

SvB4EvA · #5 (**permalink**) 03-23-09, 12:19 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by endors

So check this out...

I was tired of looking around for the access cover for my caddy. Found a few good prices from Cadillac parts companies. One was for around $50. Instead of jumping and picking one up I made one!

I went under the car and cut of a piece of the rear bumper. Now it may sound crazy but there is extra plastic that you would never ever notice missing. I cut out a 2X2 section out. I then taped a piece of white paper over the hole on the bumper. I took a pencil and etched the edges of the hole. I then cut the paper shape out. I took the piece of bumper and laid it over the paper and drew what needed to be trimmed. I took a grinder with a sand paper wheel and shaped the plastic to a perfect match. Cleaned the edges and glued it it place!

Perfect fit and no one would ever know.

Maybe I should sell a few?

By the way, "true story", no reason to lie, only reason to share a story with others that may have the same issue. There are actually people out there that think it's cool to steal parts off of others peeps rides!

Totally awesome, nice work!

txbest1980 · #6 (**permalink**) 03-23-09, 12:57 AM

great work on that...way to think outside the box

jimn · #7 (**permalink**) 03-23-09, 02:33 PM

Buy a dozen. Once this thing falls our there seems to no putting it back. My dealer replaced it three times in my 2004 under warranty. It fell out a couple of weeks later each time. I have given up and now have the hole. The dealer went under last month (too bad, they were excellent).

BTW the part comes unpainted. You will need to paint or take it to a body shop to have it painted.

endors · #8 (**permalink**) 03-24-09, 09:58 PM

Thanks for the comps guys! By the way no painting and matching the color in my books. This little issue drove me crazy for a few weeks. I had to take it to the next level in order to keep my ride clean.

This my second Caddy. I had a 1993 STS that I had to let recently let go. 200K on it.

This 2005 CTS is a sweet answer to it and is now getting the baby treatment.

California Duster almost every night before putting her to bed!

Will post some pics when I get a chance.

Anyway this access cap isn't coming off for now!

**JimmyH** · #9 (**permalink**) 03-24-09, 10:22 PM

great fix, I will have to remember that one

dugunz · #10 (**permalink**) 03-24-09, 10:29 PM

Dude, they give these things away for free, You can usually find them all over in the mall parking lot. And if your lucky sometimes there pre-color matched. I'm gonna go shopping soon, mine didnt come with one when I bought it. What is it for anyway? And how do they come off? I'm thinking flat head screwdriver....

**JimmyH** · #11 (**permalink**) 03-24-09, 10:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dugunz

Dude, they give these things away for free, You can usually find them all over in the mall parking lot.

Where? On CTS bumpers?

SvB4EvA · #12 (**permalink**) 03-24-09, 11:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JimmyH

Where? On CTS bumpers?

hahaha

endors · #13 (**permalink**) 03-28-09, 06:52 AM

The 3.6 liter has them. It's for towing. There is a bolt that screws in the rear for a tie down. Useless really. I heard they get stolen, but even if they fall or why have a clean ride with a hole in it's A$$?

I was going to fill it with belly button link!