Notices
2005-2009 S197 Appearance Section For all appearance mods to the 2005-2009 S197's

That damn gap between rear bumper and fender

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old 10-06-2009, 12:57 AM
  #1  
digitalcos
3rd Gear Member
Thread Starter
 
digitalcos's Avatar
 
Join Date: Sep 2008
Location: NY (Capital Region)
Posts: 581
Default That damn gap between rear bumper and fender

I seem to recall others having an issue with this gap opening up. Anyone come up with a solution? Is my only option to remove the whole bumper cover and use new 3M tape?
digitalcos is offline  
Old 10-06-2009, 08:03 AM
  #2  
06black5spdgt
 
06black5spdgt's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jun 2008
Posts: 16
Default

I've been having the same problem for like the past year and a half. I'm interested in any info too.
06black5spdgt is offline  
Old 10-06-2009, 08:56 AM
  #3  
lenko
1st Gear Member
 
lenko's Avatar
 
Join Date: Feb 2006
Location: AB
Posts: 134
Default

Originally Posted by 06black5spdgt
I've been having the same problem for like the past year and a half. I'm interested in any info too.
I remember reading about it, then checking mine and finding I had a gap. I think you have to remove the tail light on that side and then pushing the corner of the bumper up so it engages into the clip. It seems like some are not pushed in and aren't clicked in. That was quite a while ago, I can't remember what site, but it sure worked.
lenko is offline  
Old 10-06-2009, 11:17 AM
  #4  
azrael_nite
1st Gear Member
 
azrael_nite's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jun 2009
Location: California
Posts: 69
Default

Hello are you talking about this area? I circled it in red. I too am having a little problem. Looks like the bumper wants to lift or is not pushed in all the way. I haven't had a chance to remove the bumper completely and inspect.

Any help would be appreciated.

Thanks
Attached Thumbnails That damn gap between rear bumper and fender-rear2.jpg  
azrael_nite is offline  
Old 10-06-2009, 01:06 PM
  #5  
digitalcos
3rd Gear Member
Thread Starter
 
digitalcos's Avatar
 
Join Date: Sep 2008
Location: NY (Capital Region)
Posts: 581
Default

Yep, that's exactly what I'm talking about.
digitalcos is offline  
Old 10-06-2009, 02:55 PM
  #6  
pascal
S197 Section Modder-ator
 
pascal's Avatar
 
Join Date: Sep 2007
Location: Orlando FL
Posts: 13,373
Default

Originally Posted by digitalcos
Yep, that's exactly what I'm talking about.
Mine is perfect but I fixed that issue on a customer car by removing the bracket and taping gently the metal behind it, inwards just a little...
It brought the bumper edges in, making them flush with the sheet metal.
Easy fix but you'll have to almost remove the bumper to gain enough access.
pascal is offline  
Old 10-06-2009, 03:24 PM
  #7  
azrael_nite
1st Gear Member
 
azrael_nite's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jun 2009
Location: California
Posts: 69
Default

Originally Posted by pascal
Mine is perfect but I fixed that issue on a customer car by removing the bracket and taping gently the metal behind it, inwards just a little...
It brought the bumper edges in, making them flush with the sheet metal.
Easy fix but you'll have to almost remove the bumper to gain enough access.
Question. was this a fix on a bumper that seemed to not fit or snap in? And the bracket your talking about is it the part that a rubber nubby goes into? the nubby is part of the bumper bracket. Your saying to remove this and tap the metal that is behind it? Will this help the bumper from coming unsnapped?

Sorry to be a pain... just want to know how to fix it right.
azrael_nite is offline  
Old 10-06-2009, 04:43 PM
  #8  
pascal
S197 Section Modder-ator
 
pascal's Avatar
 
Join Date: Sep 2007
Location: Orlando FL
Posts: 13,373
Default

Yeah the bumper snaps in at the sides and at this place, by the tail lamps...
When I say bracket, it's more like a black plastic guide that is bolted to the body.
It holds the bumper lined up by those tabs that go in the bumper slots.

Sometimes, you can loosen that guide and shift it enough to help the bumper line up.

If it's a snapping back problem, you have two reasons for that...
Either you're not applying the right pressure for it to snap, or, the slot on the bumper is deformed (due to forcing) or broke.

Without pictures, it's kinda hard to grasp all this if you haven't seen the car with the bumper off.
pascal is offline  
Old 10-06-2009, 09:20 PM
  #9  
lenko
1st Gear Member
 
lenko's Avatar
 
Join Date: Feb 2006
Location: AB
Posts: 134
Default

Originally Posted by azrael_nite
Hello are you talking about this area? I circled it in red. I too am having a little problem. Looks like the bumper wants to lift or is not pushed in all the way. I haven't had a chance to remove the bumper completely and inspect.

Any help would be appreciated.

Thanks
Yes that's the spot. It was quite a while ago. I remember that I had to remove the tail lights on that side and then loosen some bolts that hold the bumper in that area. Push the bumper up so it locks into a guide on that corner then tighten and reinstall the tail lights . Worked for me.
lenko is offline  
Old 10-06-2009, 09:47 PM
  #10  
digitalcos
3rd Gear Member
Thread Starter
 
digitalcos's Avatar
 
Join Date: Sep 2008
Location: NY (Capital Region)
Posts: 581
Default

Well, I wish I had checked in with this thread one more time before I decided to go with my redneck/ghetto fix. Shoulda known Pascal would have an answer.

In an attempt to preserve my dignity I won't go into detail. I'll just say it's fixed now, and no one would ever know how without removing the taillight housing.
digitalcos is offline  


Quick Reply: That damn gap between rear bumper and fender



All times are GMT -5. The time now is 09:48 PM.