jcchevy

I recently posted for front bumper install help and appreciate the input. I have taken all the advice and made several attempts to assemble. You would think that with 4 bolts it couldn't be that difficult! I have loosened everything (brackets and grill bar) to the point of them almost falling apart. I even took one of the side brackets loose and made the connection to the corner bumper bolt and then tried to work backwards. Could not get the bolts started to get the brackets back to the Frame. It fits extremely tight on the body with the new rubber cushions. I'm not sure how thick the original cushions were, perhaps mine are too thick? ~1/2". Any new suggestions would be appreciated. I did not have the privilege of taking them off so not sure what the original setup was like. The service manual does say to use some leverage but this seems a little rediculous.

58horse

If any work has ever been done to the front end (body) things might not go back together as factory. I remember I had to grind down a rubber cushion on one side to get things to go back together.

wmf62

it is what it is... the bumper/crossbar is an assembly and you have to do whatever it takes to accommodate it...

Bill

427390HP

I'm not sure if this will help or not, but on my '60 I also had a very hard time getting the bumpers and then the grill in. I also had every bolt loose but nothing would go together.

I ended up reaming out two holes on the bumper bracket and two holes on the grill bar bolt plate and finally everything went together.

You may want to look and see if elongating one or more holes might solve the problem.

Terry

SDVette

This is not much help to you... but mine went back on pretty easily.. But they were straight and original.. I just took them off to re-chrome them.

GCD1962

Did you take the brackets off at any time?

Frankie the Fink

Getting them dead nuts straight is no picnic, even if you haven't removed the brackets...

I never put all three pieces on together (I don't even know how you'd do that); I get the bumpers close to straight then put in the center bar and do a final massage...

Blue painter's tape is your friend.

jcchevy

Thanks for the help - I can get the bumpers on with no issue and get nice lines at the fender opening and and in front. However when I do this, the grill bar is still about 3/4" too short to connect to bolts (with me applying leverage). If I assemble as a unit I can get one side bumper to line up but can not get the other side. Seems it has to be the grill bar! It had no bar and no brackets for the driver's side when I received the project so who knows? All measurements seem to be concentric side to side so I believe the new brackets are ok. I am working with the vendor (sending pictures, measurements, etc) to see if the grill bar may be slightly off. In the meantime, I am thinking about putting the entire front end in a vice and squeezing slightly!! Just kidding, some days you have to have a sense of humor! Thanks again.

solidaxel

I'm sure you found the problem by now, what was the "fix"