Rear bumper replacement 1980
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Apr 2013
Posts: 123
Likes: 1
From: Kinderhook NY
Rear bumper replacement 1980
I will be painting my father in laws 80 in a few weeks. his rear bumper was wavy on top so i bought a used one that looks pretty good. Can someone point me to a good thread for removal and replacement? I looked for 20 minutes and saw all kinds of advice on what type of bumper not to buy- but nothing on replacing it. thanks Pat
Le Mans Master
Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 6,359
Likes: 428
From: Seattle Area WA
Simple, remove tail lights and unbolt it, around perimeter of bumper. Chances are the nuts are rusted to the studs and they will just snap off, they are only #10s or #12s. Look for a bumper hardware kit in a catalog and get an idea.
Last edited by Scott Marzahl; Aug 26, 2013 at 07:19 PM.
Advanced
Joined: May 2013
Posts: 87
Likes: 0
if replaceing just rip it off it should be soft and rotted then u can wizzer wheel off the nuts thats what I did also the new one wont fit perfect and u will have to blend it in to fit perfect hope ur good at body work
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Apr 2013
Posts: 123
Likes: 1
From: Kinderhook NY
hey thanks for the advice. the one i'm putting on is from another 1980 car- so i'm hoping it fits good the first time. if not, i'm sure i can blend it. i had to do that with an 86 that i used to own
Team Owner
Joined: Jun 2000
Posts: 38,923
Likes: 1,482
From: Southbound
Cruise-In II Veteran
...or do you get them through the taillight holes?...
Order the assembly instruction manual (AIM) and take a look at how the bumper cover was installed at the factory. You will want to attempt to save the retainers on the old cover and have those available to swap to your replacement cover as needed. You can purchase reproduction mounting hardware, but if you work carefully, you may not need it.
Careful there or you will break the fiberglass mounting flanges on the body and create a bigger mess than what you started with.
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