Original Urethane Bumpers
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Nov 2014
Posts: 269
Likes: 1
From: Flemington New Jersey
Original Urethane Bumpers
Just curious as to how many C3's still have their original urethane bumper covers.
My 76 has less than 23K on it, was garage kept. 2 years ago, the bumpers just started cracking..
Must be the rare exception to still have good condition originals?
My 76 has less than 23K on it, was garage kept. 2 years ago, the bumpers just started cracking..
Must be the rare exception to still have good condition originals?
Instructor
Joined: Sep 2014
Posts: 230
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From: Monroe Michigan
Instructor
Joined: Jun 2014
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From: Pensacola FL
Racer
Joined: Mar 2012
Posts: 353
Likes: 3
From: cincinnati oh
Racer
Joined: Mar 2012
Posts: 353
Likes: 3
From: cincinnati oh
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Advanced
Joined: Aug 2013
Posts: 53
Likes: 0
From: meas az
my 75 with 20 k original miles on it garage keep car i had to replace both front and rear due to cracking the front lost a big chunk at freeway speeds when i got caught in a rain storm now have flex fit bumpers look great can not tell any different
Race Director
Joined: Oct 2000
Posts: 12,679
Likes: 3,130
From: Shamong, NJ
It appears that GM changed the formula of the urethane, during the 76 model year. The early 76 rear bumper seemed to be about the last piece made with the original urethane. The urethane used from 76 on, holds up quite well.
I think it's the yellow urethane that didn't hold up, while the later "good" urethane is black.
Fiberglass bumpers are available with the indent for the small early 76 rear bumper. Both American Custom Industries and Tru-Flex (now owned by ACI), make an early 76 rear bumper. I think other companies may too.
Racer
Joined: Jul 2010
Posts: 283
Likes: 1
From: The Netherlands EUR
My '80 has the original urethane bumpers and they look terrible.
One big wavy pile of crooked, spider-cracked, non-fitting floppy plastic. They ruin the beautiful curves of the car.
I am in the middle of a body-off resto and will throw these in the bin as soon as i start bodywork and my shipment of two new straight fiberglass bumpers has arrived.
You can pickup my originals for free if you care to travel to Europe....
One big wavy pile of crooked, spider-cracked, non-fitting floppy plastic. They ruin the beautiful curves of the car.
I am in the middle of a body-off resto and will throw these in the bin as soon as i start bodywork and my shipment of two new straight fiberglass bumpers has arrived.
You can pickup my originals for free if you care to travel to Europe....
Team Owner
Joined: Jun 2000
Posts: 38,923
Likes: 1,481
From: Southbound
Cruise-In II Veteran
Burning Brakes
Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 802
Likes: 1
My 73 is still flexible and not cracked. But it's life has been in Canada with much colder weather and it was not in the summer sun either for most of it's life.
That tells me that it is the heat that is killing this bumper.
I bought a new spare a few yrs ago, just in case.
Steve L
73 coupe since new
That tells me that it is the heat that is killing this bumper.
I bought a new spare a few yrs ago, just in case.
Steve L
73 coupe since new
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jul 2000
Posts: 6,001
Likes: 113
From: Saginaw Michigan
FYI,
What I call the "C-Clip Retainer" used on the T&T steering column is also made from urethane material. When you try to remove the 30 to 40 year old part, it typically breaks into many pieces. GM no longer services the part but it is available from many aftermarket sources.
This part serves two functions:
1. This is a critical safety part. It prevents the c-clip from migrating out of the slots in the yoke steering shaft. Without the c-clip in place, the steering wheel and upper steering shaft can be pulled competely out of the steering column itself.
2. It also is an insulator and prevents the big telescope spring from touching metal parts of the steering column and cause the horn(s) to blow continuously.
Here is the c-clip being installed.
Here is the retainer in place (over the c-clip).
Typically I recommend obtaining a new retainer before you even begin working on your T&T steering column.
Jim
What I call the "C-Clip Retainer" used on the T&T steering column is also made from urethane material. When you try to remove the 30 to 40 year old part, it typically breaks into many pieces. GM no longer services the part but it is available from many aftermarket sources.
This part serves two functions:
1. This is a critical safety part. It prevents the c-clip from migrating out of the slots in the yoke steering shaft. Without the c-clip in place, the steering wheel and upper steering shaft can be pulled competely out of the steering column itself.
2. It also is an insulator and prevents the big telescope spring from touching metal parts of the steering column and cause the horn(s) to blow continuously.
Here is the c-clip being installed.
Here is the retainer in place (over the c-clip).
Typically I recommend obtaining a new retainer before you even begin working on your T&T steering column.
Jim