Rear bumper broken loose one side - Page 2

Stephen Edwin · Jan 3rd, 2018, 16:49

I have removed the entire bumper now. The support brackets seem to be in sound condition. Just need cleaning up &c. Do they just pull out of the car and later push back in? I've removed the 12mm head flanged head machine screws.

I haven't unclipped the black cover from the alloy yet. But it looks as if I only need a replacement alloy "support beam" with the fixing studs still secure and little or no corrosion. And hopefully new clips all round for the black cover.

Meantime, I suspect I can put repair washers in, held by shallow head machine screws, with just a slight bulge under the black cover.

A cheap impact 16mm socket was very useful. The good quality non-impact socket was too close a fit and I couldn't get a hammer at it to hit it on to the nuts! I knew that set of cheap impact sockets from a market were worth buying about 25 years ago. They have saved my bacon quite a few times now.

Stephen

Stephen Edwin · Jan 3rd, 2018, 21:05

Cogitating. I could wait to get a replacement alloy sypport beam. One with the studs still secure.

Or.

I could get two fettling plates made. Strips of suitably bent flat metal. Each with two studs welded to them a suitable distance apart.
Take the existing alloy support beam with three studs broken away, and remove the remaining fourth riveted stud.
Put that existing alloy support beam in position, and secure it using the two welded up fettling plates and four nuts.

As the rivet heads sat under the black cover ok, the proposed fettling plates should also fit in ok. And it saves throwing to scrap an otherwise good piece of alloy.

Any reason why this might not work?

I appreciate there will be further corrosion. But a replacement alloy beam would also eventually corrode.

Stephen

Clifford Pope · Jan 4th, 2018, 08:31

There are the two small bolts holding the flange on each side, but also a much bigger bolt through the hole at the inner end of the telescopic thing. It's vertical, access through cutaways in the chassis sections under the boot locker floor.
They are the bolts that hold the tow bar if you fit one.

Stephen Edwin · Jan 4th, 2018, 14:44

Aha! My old friends the big main tow bar bolts! Thanks Clifford.

Stephen

Jan 3rd, 2018, 21:05	#12
Stephen Edwin Premier Member Last Online: Oct 26th, 2023 20:42 Join Date: Jun 2010 Location: Thurrock	Cogitating. I could wait to get a replacement alloy sypport beam. One with the studs still secure. Or. I could get two fettling plates made. Strips of suitably bent flat metal. Each with two studs welded to them a suitable distance apart. Take the existing alloy support beam with three studs broken away, and remove the remaining fourth riveted stud. Put that existing alloy support beam in position, and secure it using the two welded up fettling plates and four nuts. As the rivet heads sat under the black cover ok, the proposed fettling plates should also fit in ok. And it saves throwing to scrap an otherwise good piece of alloy. Any reason why this might not work? I appreciate there will be further corrosion. But a replacement alloy beam would also eventually corrode. Stephen

Jan 3rd, 2018, 16:49	#11
Stephen Edwin Premier Member Last Online: Oct 26th, 2023 20:42 Join Date: Jun 2010 Location: Thurrock	I have removed the entire bumper now. The support brackets seem to be in sound condition. Just need cleaning up &c. Do they just pull out of the car and later push back in? I've removed the 12mm head flanged head machine screws. I haven't unclipped the black cover from the alloy yet. But it looks as if I only need a replacement alloy "support beam" with the fixing studs still secure and little or no corrosion. And hopefully new clips all round for the black cover. Meantime, I suspect I can put repair washers in, held by shallow head machine screws, with just a slight bulge under the black cover. A cheap impact 16mm socket was very useful. The good quality non-impact socket was too close a fit and I couldn't get a hammer at it to hit it on to the nuts! I knew that set of cheap impact sockets from a market were worth buying about 25 years ago. They have saved my bacon quite a few times now. Stephen

Jan 4th, 2018, 08:31	#13
Clifford Pope Not an expert but ... Last Online: Today 08:04 Join Date: Dec 2001 Location: Boncath	There are the two small bolts holding the flange on each side, but also a much bigger bolt through the hole at the inner end of the telescopic thing. It's vertical, access through cutaways in the chassis sections under the boot locker floor. They are the bolts that hold the tow bar if you fit one.

Jan 4th, 2018, 14:44	#14
Stephen Edwin Premier Member Last Online: Oct 26th, 2023 20:42 Join Date: Jun 2010 Location: Thurrock	Aha! My old friends the big main tow bar bolts! Thanks Clifford. Stephen

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