'73 rubber bumper
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Instructor
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'73 rubber bumper
I must replace the bumper of my '73 and I'd like to do it myself. Any tips or pointers on how to do it without breaking or ruining it?.... other than the obvious option of just taking it to a body shop... which I'd like to avoid.
Thanks.
Thanks.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Nov 2000
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From: Galloway Twp. NJ
Cruise-In VII Veteran
get yourself an assembly manual.
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Pro
Joined: Jul 2004
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From: Alta Loma CA
I did mine several years ago. I replaced it with a fiberglass unit from J & D Corvette in Bellflower, CA. They make their own parts in CA.
The AIM will show you how it's put together. Very tight space toget the nuts off the frame that holds it in. As I recall I used a 1/4" drive socket set with several extensions and a universal joint. It took me all day to do it.
The AIM will show you how it's put together. Very tight space toget the nuts off the frame that holds it in. As I recall I used a 1/4" drive socket set with several extensions and a universal joint. It took me all day to do it.
Pro
Joined: Aug 2005
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From: Naperville IL
supposedly if you pay more for the urethane replacements they should fit up without too much trouble. I went with the flexiglass cover from paragon and it needed a little filling and sanding to get it to look nice, but it was half the price. I think I put about 10 hours into it before I handed it off to the body shop to paint.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 2,838
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From: Austin TX
I've done both. The urethane is 5x easier. I believe your Chevy parts counter can still get it. Ask for part number: 6263597. Not cheap. Two years ago, I paid $406 plus ship from here:
www.gmpartsdirect.com
Good luck!
www.gmpartsdirect.com
Good luck!
Last edited by 73, Dark Blue 454; Jan 2, 2009 at 12:29 AM.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 2,417
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From: Texas
corvette fever had an article on this, they just cut most of it off with a cutoff wheel so it was easier to get to the old retaining hardware.
http://www.corvettefever.com/howto/c...per/index.html
http://www.corvettefever.com/howto/c...per/index.html
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Safety Car
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From: Waterford Mi
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I replaced mine with the Trueflex bumper from Willcox.
Bumper replacement
Bumper replacement
Safety Car
Joined: Aug 2001
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From: Waterford Mi
Trueflex is a slightly flexable fiberglass. Urathane is a molded plastic that can be bent quite a bit without breaking. The original bumpers are urathane. After time the plastic does get brittle and looks wavy where the fiberglass bumpers, trueflex or not, keep there shape. It is hard to repair the urathane bumpers if they do get damaged but you can repair the fiberglass ones easily. Some folks have gone as far as to glass in the fiberglass bumpers so you can not see the seem where it is attached to the body for a cleaner look.
Pro
Joined: Aug 2005
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From: Naperville IL
the old brackets are probably in pretty bad shape, but i think you need to use new ones anyway if you go with fiberglass. Anyone selling the bumpers should have the brackets too.
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Burning Brakes
Joined: Sep 2006
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From: Rotonda FL
As mentioned above, Truflex bumpers are slightly flexible fiberglass. Each C3 body has its individual quirks, and a part that fits one may be far off on another. Urethane bumpers, being flexible, accomodate these body variations. Fiberglass bumpers have no flexibility and will usually require grinding, filling and sanding to get them to match the contours of your car. Truflex, being slightly flexible, strikes a middle ground, allowing fitament on a wide range of C3's with minimal (if any) bodywork, Take paint exactly like the rest of your fiberglass car and will not be or get wavy.
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Instructor
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As mentioned above, Truflex bumpers are slightly flexible fiberglass. Each C3 body has its individual quirks, and a part that fits one may be far off on another. Urethane bumpers, being flexible, accomodate these body variations. Fiberglass bumpers have no flexibility and will usually require grinding, filling and sanding to get them to match the contours of your car. Truflex, being slightly flexible, strikes a middle ground, allowing fitament on a wide range of C3's with minimal (if any) bodywork, Take paint exactly like the rest of your fiberglass car and will not be or get wavy.
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Nov 2008
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As mentioned above, Truflex bumpers are slightly flexible fiberglass. Each C3 body has its individual quirks, and a part that fits one may be far off on another. Urethane bumpers, being flexible, accomodate these body variations. Fiberglass bumpers have no flexibility and will usually require grinding, filling and sanding to get them to match the contours of your car. Truflex, being slightly flexible, strikes a middle ground, allowing fitament on a wide range of C3's with minimal (if any) bodywork, Take paint exactly like the rest of your fiberglass car and will not be or get wavy.
Would it make sense to include that sort of compound on the whole car since the fiberglass will contract and expand anyway?
Pro
Joined: Aug 2005
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From: Naperville IL
You only need the flex additives if you go urethane. The fiberglass will flex a little, but so does sheet metal. Urethane is a much softer rubber in comparison. Either way you go, I'd still fit the bumper first, fill and sand if needed, then take it off to paint separate.
Cruising
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I have a 73 also and i just got a new urethane bumper from ecklers when they offered 15% off.i bought the stock retainers (3pieces) and it took me 1.5hrs by myself to bolt on.i have an area that has had a previous repair on the left fender that is built up too high and needs attention other than that it is a simple bolt up job.i also got new grills and a new lower valance and spoiler to compliment. i will upload pics as soon as i learn how.
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Nov 2008
Posts: 105
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I have a 73 also and i just got a new urethane bumper from ecklers when they offered 15% off.i bought the stock retainers (3pieces) and it took me 1.5hrs by myself to bolt on.i have an area that has had a previous repair on the left fender that is built up too high and needs attention other than that it is a simple bolt up job.i also got new grills and a new lower valance and spoiler to compliment. i will upload pics as soon as i learn how.