rear bumper retainers
Thread Starter
Safety Car
Joined: Dec 2012
Posts: 3,800
Likes: 1,712
From: Summerville SC
rear bumper retainers
I am replacing the rear bumper retainers on my 78. The side retainers have the studs in them but the 2 in the center do not. What type of hardware or bolts do I need for this. Something special to lock into place as I tighten the nuts? I won't be using the T nuts that vendors sell since this is an old rubber bumper, not a fiberglass one. Thx.
Race Director
Joined: Jul 2015
Posts: 13,082
Likes: 3,399
From: SW Florida.
orig were metal strips with #10-24 bolts welded in at the correct intervals. at least i believe these are original these are fronts. pretty sure same setup front and back. they sell a big loop with bolts installed for the rear. here is a sample set. front and rear combined. pricey, but after you spend several hours trying to use bolts, nuts and washers, you may wish you bought something like this. https://www.ebay.com/itm/1975-79-COR...8AAOSwWdZZY9I5
Last edited by derekderek; Jul 10, 2019 at 08:34 PM.
Instructor
Joined: May 2018
Posts: 200
Likes: 25
From: Tennessee
I reused my old hardware. Punched out the old stripped and rusty studs and slid in some new screws from Home Depot, 5.94 for a pack of 50 with screws and nuts. Then, I welded them on. If you dont have a welder, you could probably use hex heads. You can bend back a side of the "U" and slid it in then crimp the side back over. A little time consuming, but way better than $95 for the repos that probably wont even fit.
Race Director
Joined: Jul 2015
Posts: 13,082
Likes: 3,399
From: SW Florida.
here is the 20 buck version. a little rtv to keep them attached to the bumper. https://www.ebay.com/itm/73-82-C3-CO...s/153443823072
Melting Slicks
Joined: Apr 2001
Posts: 3,399
Likes: 278
From: Olmsted Falls, Ohio
here is the 20 buck version. a little rtv to keep them attached to the bumper. https://www.ebay.com/itm/73-82-C3-CO...s/153443823072
Last edited by KenSny; Jul 11, 2019 at 07:47 AM.
Thread Starter
Safety Car
Joined: Dec 2012
Posts: 3,800
Likes: 1,712
From: Summerville SC
Thanks all. I got my hands on a set of retainers. 2 curved corner pieces with studs welded in. After looking at them closely Mr Derek you were correct on the 10-24 thread size. The straight pieces have holes in them that are set up to receive a screw tip. Not a machine screw, just a plain old screw, like a #8. These holes were not retrofit or anything like that, so it was originally set up the way. According to my AIM, it is correct for a 78. I had looked at the $20 fix, but since they were designed for hard fiberglass I could understand how they might not draw the rubber bumper in tight uniformly. If they work for you, great. I just wasn't interested in trying to adapt something else in the car right now. The plan eventually will be to change out the bumper for a fiberglass one, not sure how long that will be. But for $50 I got some nice, straight un-molested retainers. Again, thanks for the input. 
