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I got a chance to work on installing the rear bumper fillers before I head to work . It went relatively smooth and I'm happy with the results so far. I still need to close the gap between the bumper and the body, and I'm guessing that I have to do this with the bolts that hold the bumper onto the braces, am I right?
Here's a couple pics:
Last edited by 72455; January 5th, 2019 at 09:24 AM.
Location: Edmonton, AB. And "I am Can 'eh' jun - eh"
Posts: 24,525
Yes Dave,
The gap you have is way out. You adjust this by loosening the bumper bracket itself, not the bumper. There are 2 slots in each brace that allow the bumper positioning. Here's what mine was before and after. It took about 35 minutes of adjusting to get it just right. Stock bumper left side stock bumper right side test fit test fit - note tape to protect paint test fit final fit final fit
Location: Edmonton, AB. And "I am Can 'eh' jun - eh"
Posts: 24,525
I guess it's not as easy to see in the pictures. The gap between bumper and deck lid is a uniform 1/2" all the way across, including up over the tail lights.
Let's face it, that bumper is going to shake & shimmy some when you go airborne over railroad crossing tracks & jump those parking lot speed bumps. So, a little wiggle room never hurts.
Let's face it, that bumper is going to shake & shimmy some when you go airborne over railroad crossing tracks & jump those parking lot speed bumps. So, a little wiggle room never hurts.
Lol...I dunno what you've been doing with YOUR Cutlass, but maybe you should build a General Lee..haha
Location: Edmonton, AB. And "I am Can 'eh' jun - eh"
Posts: 24,525
Ummm, Chief?? Your bumper could also benefit from being sucked closer to the quarter panels by about an inch or more. Dave has better tolerance on the extension side than you do. BUT, I have the best tolerances of all if you check out my pics. I have no more than 1/2" of gapping anywhere, and I used the proper locking washers to make sure that even on railway crossings or jumping the river my bumper won't move.
Speaking of washers Allan, all of the washers that held the bumper onto the chassis braces were just plain flat washers. When I ordered my bumper fillers, I planned ahead and ordered 8 serrated washers and 4 sets of bolts and nuts. Good thing cuz I needed the washers, and the driver side chassis brace only had one bolt, so I was able to take care of that as well😀
A good friend of mine installed rear bumpers on the line as a young man at Oldsmobile in the early seventies. Every time he sees my car he reminisces by checking the bumper gap of my car. He used his thumb as a gauge to set them right, course everyone's thumbs are different...
A good friend of mine installed rear bumpers on the line as a young man at Oldsmobile in the early seventies. Every time he sees my car he reminisces by checking the bumper gap of my car. He used his thumb as a gauge to set them right, course everyone's thumbs are different...
Let's face it, that bumper is going to shake & shimmy some when you go airborne over railroad crossing tracks & jump those parking lot speed bumps. So, a little wiggle room never hurts.
Ah, that brings back memories of the last time my car went airborne over a railroad track back in the 80s. A friend was driving one night with 7 people in the car, saw the tracks while doing 45 MPH and hollered "Hold on!" at the last moment. I remember putting my hands up and pushing on the roof to brace myself and my head still hit the roof. Saw a buncha sparks following us down the road for a bit, later found out the bottoms of the header tubes were flattened and the custom drain plug in the transmission pan was bent. Other than that, no real damage and the rear bumper survived just fine.
I botched the R&R of my oil pan gasket and now I’m looking at an imperfect rear bumper alignment? 2019 is starting off this way? This is seriously cutting into time spent walking the golf course.
Location: Edmonton, AB. And "I am Can 'eh' jun - eh"
Posts: 24,525
Originally Posted by Vintage Chief
I botched the R&R of my oil pan gasket and now I’m looking at an imperfect rear bumper alignment? 2019 is starting off this way? This is seriously cutting into time spent walking the golf course.
I'm sure a 3 wood or a short iron will fix the bumper for ya bud! What can I say? Someone before you adjusted or replaced the bumper on your car because that would not have left the factory like that.
Location: Edmonton, AB. And "I am Can 'eh' jun - eh"
Posts: 24,525
I'm so proud of ya bud!! BUT, to match the body lines more perfectly the bumper should come down about 3/4" so the contour of the quarter panel and inside edge of the bumper match up better. IMO it's much to high.
compare to Dave's finished look and you'll see what I mean.
if your bumper has been bumped once or twice you may have to accept a best compromise, thats how my bumper is, id post a pic but Allen would have me back in the garage straighten something else out .
January 5th, 2019, 08:20 AM
