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I got my rear bumpers back from Librandi's, and while putting them back on the car, I encountered one bolt that will not seat into the outer bracket (pass side). I'll probably wind up taking the bracket off and take a closer look at the threads on the bracket. For some reason, the bracket doesn't seem to line up with the hole in the body that the bolt goes through. Threads look ok on the bolt, but I'll run it thru a die just to be sure (even thought about a new bolt).
My question is this: There are 10 bolts for the two bumpers (including the 4 for the 2 brace rods). Two of my bolts are just a tad longer than the other 8. I really didn't notice the difference when I was taking them off, but now I'm thinking it may have something to do with the one bolt not going back on. The first 8 bolts went back in a snap, but that last one is a bit*h. Which holes do the two longer bolts go into, or does it matter?
On the 73, the bolt passes through the bumper, and through the hole in the body, then screws into the outer bracket. For some reason the outer bracket hole is just a tad off center. I tried loosening the bracket from the frame so I could get it to move more, but I think I now really need to loosen it allot, so that it is 'floating', screw in the bumper bolt, then tighten the bracket back down to the frame once I get the bumper bolt to seat. That's my plan as of today. Fiddled with it for over an hour on yesterday, then gave up. Sometimes its just best to walk away, right?!
Is this the location of bolt you're having a problem with? (Remember, this is a 71 so there is no bracket.) [/QUOTE]
Alan, that's the location of the side bolt. The one I'm having issues with is the the bolt on the corner of the bumper. It's that one that screws in the outer bracket.
Just took my bumpers off today on my 73. Didn't notice a longer one but for sure the one that goes into the bumper on the side is a short one. The two that go thru the rod that comes out of fiberglass are short cause go thru frame and bumper with round rod. So the two left from the frame thru fiberglass must be one that is longer.
thanks.
The one bolt that is giving me the issue is the bolt on the corner of the bumper. The bolt on the side (over the side lamp) went back in easily.
YES...you are CORRECT when dealing with that corner bumper bolt. I often times have to loosen up the two bolts that hold that corner bracket to the frame so I can get the bolt to thread into it and then tighten it when I have the bumper mounted.
I believe the bolts that are tad longer ...goes in the corner where you are having the trouble.
The brace for the corner bracket has slotted holes to adjust where it meets
the corner of the bumper. Maybe you need to adjust the brace.
I can take photo of my 73 if needed, but don't think it would help your problem.
Donnie
See that Dub has already responded while I was typing.
Last edited by DonnieP73; Aug 7, 2017 at 07:25 PM.
That approach has worked for me numerous times due to often times when the outer bolt is removed that corner bracket is under some tension and will move...and be a bit of a hassle to manually force back..if the tension is to great. I have gotten to the point that I try not to have the blood vessels in my neck pop out...especially if I can find a way to not make that happen. Like I say: "Work smart---not hard".
1973 Rear bumper install
