Front Bumber Removal
Thread Starter
Drifting
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 1,871
Likes: 6
From: Sault Ste. Marie Ontario
Front Bumber Removal
Hi Guys,
Can anyone tell me if the front bumper on my 73 needs to be removed to take the body off the frame? I was hoping to leave the front assembly in tact for now and disconnect at the frame horns. I'll be spendinng most of my time on the chassis this year and the body will sit for awhile so I'd like it in one piece until I'm ready for it.
Also while removing the rad, I noticed the rivets connecting the body to the upper rad support ar sheared off. It's not important now, but I'm curious what the fix is.
Can anyone tell me if the front bumper on my 73 needs to be removed to take the body off the frame? I was hoping to leave the front assembly in tact for now and disconnect at the frame horns. I'll be spendinng most of my time on the chassis this year and the body will sit for awhile so I'd like it in one piece until I'm ready for it.
Also while removing the rad, I noticed the rivets connecting the body to the upper rad support ar sheared off. It's not important now, but I'm curious what the fix is.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jun 2002
Posts: 8,339
Likes: 24
From: I can walk to MA
ABSOLUTELY have to remove the bumper.
If you simply disconnect the frame extensions that go to the
bumper bar, the weight will rip the front bumper cover and
possibly crack the fiberglass at the corners.
Do yourself a favor, write the original bumper cover off as gone.
If the cover is perfect, you could try to salvage it, but most cannot.
Easiest to cut around the perimeter of the cover with a knife ..
then you can easily get at more of the retainer nuts.
It's a good time to just think what to replace it with.
Urethane will be easiest to install - but has it's issues.
Truflex ... mine fit great - others needed fitting.
Fiberglass ... most likely needs fitting due to it's rigity.
Note that last 2 options may require some bumper parts to be left off for fit.
Curious about your rivet issue. The radiator support simply bolts on:
(3) 5/16 bolts accessible from each wheel well
(2) 7/16 bolts at bottom
(1) support rod that goes up to headlight header bar.
If you simply disconnect the frame extensions that go to the
bumper bar, the weight will rip the front bumper cover and
possibly crack the fiberglass at the corners.
Do yourself a favor, write the original bumper cover off as gone.
If the cover is perfect, you could try to salvage it, but most cannot.
Easiest to cut around the perimeter of the cover with a knife ..
then you can easily get at more of the retainer nuts.
It's a good time to just think what to replace it with.
Urethane will be easiest to install - but has it's issues.
Truflex ... mine fit great - others needed fitting.
Fiberglass ... most likely needs fitting due to it's rigity.
Note that last 2 options may require some bumper parts to be left off for fit.
Curious about your rivet issue. The radiator support simply bolts on:
(3) 5/16 bolts accessible from each wheel well
(2) 7/16 bolts at bottom
(1) support rod that goes up to headlight header bar.
Last edited by NHvette; Sep 28, 2006 at 09:20 AM.
Thread Starter
Drifting
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 1,871
Likes: 6
From: Sault Ste. Marie Ontario
Thanks for the advise on the bumper. I'll look at it tonight and likely post more questions later.
As for the rivets, I'm refering to the headlight header bar. there are three broken. It seems the head of these rivets are formed into the fibreglass above. How do you replace them?
As for the rivets, I'm refering to the headlight header bar. there are three broken. It seems the head of these rivets are formed into the fibreglass above. How do you replace them?
Safety Car
Joined: Aug 2001
Posts: 3,688
Likes: 202
From: Waterford Mi
I didn't remove mine but I di use a strap on the heavy metal beam so that it wouldn't rip the fenders up. body-off my 73
