Impact bar shims
Thread Starter
Safety Car
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 4,290
Likes: 140
From: Salem NH
http://members.cisdi.com/~anesthes/facia.jpg
If you look at the shims (#7) we have 3 plates, then a very small shim (which was discontinued according the dealer last night). The small shim appears to go on the top which I'd think would offset the bumper.
I'm just trying to properly align mine. At minimal, I need more shims because the cover almost kisses the hood, but I'm trying to understand what that little shim is for. My car is '87, and i'm putting it together using 91-96 parts, so I don't have a car to take apart to see how it went goes together properly.
Thanks!
-- Joe
Race Director
Joined: May 2006
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From: Phoenix Arizona
The 87 should align the same wayas the 90's. Again, even though it SHOWS a shim, i don't recall it, and I've rebuilt and realigned alot of them. When they tow a vette, they sometimes lift it by the front bumper like a regular car which causes the bumber to hit the hood. You shouldn't need the shim to properly realign the hood.
Thread Starter
Safety Car
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 4,290
Likes: 140
From: Salem NH
The 87 should align the same wayas the 90's. Again, even though it SHOWS a shim, i don't recall it, and I've rebuilt and realigned alot of them. When they tow a vette, they sometimes lift it by the front bumper like a regular car which causes the bumber to hit the hood. You shouldn't need the shim to properly realign the hood.
The 91-96 stuff, I got the impact bar, top bar, bumper cover, and shims from all different guys. So I'm struggling getting this to line up. The hood is perfectly aligned with the doors, so I'm not moving that. What should the gap be between the cover and the hood? do you know off hand? Maybe mine is fine where it sits. But it looks too close.
-- Joe
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Thread Starter
Safety Car
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 4,290
Likes: 140
From: Salem NH
Pro
Joined: Jan 2004
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From: Syracuse Utah
My 94 had the front bumper out too far on one side so I unscrewed everything and removed one shim. Now it aligns perfectly. The number of shims may depend on the individual car and what's out of alignment and where.
Thread Starter
Safety Car
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 4,290
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From: Salem NH
Fred where does part #25 in that picture go?
I spent another 2 hours trying to line it up. I think I have the side to side alignment ok. But the gap on the outside edges is like 3/8", and the gap in the center is like 3/16... I don't get it...
-- Joe
I spent another 2 hours trying to line it up. I think I have the side to side alignment ok. But the gap on the outside edges is like 3/8", and the gap in the center is like 3/16... I don't get it...
-- Joe
Race Director
Joined: May 2006
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From: Phoenix Arizona
Welcome to the world of front bumpers! I think that is the strip that holds the front lip down. Some later models use two pieces, one on each side. The trick to getting the sides to match the center is to manipulate (bend/form/adjust) the side brackets (#19). Keep ALL the screws loose on the bumper cover AND the front inner fenderwell. What happens is, when you start tightening that inner structure it can force/load/flex the
corners up/out/front/etc. At this point, I probably don't need to tell you, but sometimes it can be a REAL bitch. Just take your time, you'll get it
corners up/out/front/etc. At this point, I probably don't need to tell you, but sometimes it can be a REAL bitch. Just take your time, you'll get it
Thread Starter
Safety Car
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 4,290
Likes: 140
From: Salem NH
Welcome to the world of front bumpers! I think that is the strip that holds the front lip down. Some later models use two pieces, one on each side. The trick to getting the sides to match the center is to manipulate (bend/form/adjust) the side brackets (#19). Keep ALL the screws loose on the bumper cover AND the front inner fenderwell. What happens is, when you start tightening that inner structure it can force/load/flex the
corners up/out/front/etc. At this point, I probably don't need to tell you, but sometimes it can be a REAL bitch. Just take your time, you'll get it
corners up/out/front/etc. At this point, I probably don't need to tell you, but sometimes it can be a REAL bitch. Just take your time, you'll get it
So #25 also goes on the top?
I hope I have this setup right. the way I have it now is, I have some 6mm body clips on the cover, and it is up against #9 and bolted in. So that part (#25) goes on the other side of #9 ?? or ?
-- Joe
Race Director
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From: Phoenix Arizona
The bumper cover is sandwiched between #9 and #25, the only clips on the front cover are on the sides where it connects to the inner fenderwell .If you have clips on the top lip of the cover, it will screw up the position. #9 (which is slightly different on other years) is actually solid mounted(no adjustment) to the impact bar, as what sets the front to hood position, and it is moved by manipulating the shims,
Thread Starter
Safety Car
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 4,290
Likes: 140
From: Salem NH
The bumper cover is sandwiched between #9 and #25, the only clips on the front cover are on the sides where it connects to the inner fenderwell .If you have clips on the top lip of the cover, it will screw up the position. #9 (which is slightly different on other years) is actually solid mounted(no adjustment) to the impact bar, as what sets the front to hood position, and it is moved by manipulating the shims,
How do you sandwich it between #9 and #25? The top of #9 has a lip, so I can't see how a body clip would slide over it ..??
-- Joe
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From: Phoenix Arizona
If we are talking about the same part, the screws should go into #9 , the piece that is attached to the top of the impact bar. There should be screw holes and possibly plastic inserts in it. You may want to PM me tomorrow and I'll go out and get an assembly and go through it with you. (I'm starting to get confused, so I know how you must feel) 
Last edited by zr1fred; Dec 30, 2006 at 10:37 PM.
Thread Starter
Safety Car
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 4,290
Likes: 140
From: Salem NH
If we are talking about the same part, the screws should go into #9 , the piece that is attached to the top of the impact bar. There should be screw holes and possibly plastic inserts in it. You may want to PM me tomorrow and I'll go out and get an assembly and go through it with you. (I'm starting to get confused, so I know how you must feel)
So now i'm confused even more..
-- Joe
Thread Starter
Safety Car
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 4,290
Likes: 140
From: Salem NH
So what do you think, Fred?
I re-aligned the hood with the doors, and it's a little better. but still looks goofy.
Any chance you have pictures of a 91-96 ?
Infact anyone have a picture of a 91-96 with the hood open, so I can see how the cover is bolted to the bracket?
-- Joe
I re-aligned the hood with the doors, and it's a little better. but still looks goofy.
Any chance you have pictures of a 91-96 ?
Infact anyone have a picture of a 91-96 with the hood open, so I can see how the cover is bolted to the bracket?
-- Joe
Race Director
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 10,691
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From: Phoenix Arizona
I always align the hood to the doors, and then the front bumper to the hood. My 95 has a little bit different #25, and I can't remember exactly how it is behind the bumper. All the assemblies I have off, are the earlier style as pictured. It may be the clips are on the bumper cover,if that is all there is. It's been a couple of years since I've had the 95 or 6's apart. If that is the case, I would adjust the #25 untill it aligns with the front of the hood all the way across with out the cover on. Put the cover on without the corners, and adjust with shims, then put the corners and the rest of the screws on, tighten and refine. If the car has been hit, you might need different shims on either side and maybe top to bottom to compensate for slightly mis-aligned frame horns. Check to make sure the area where the four bolts come out of the impact bar aren't cracked or crushed so as to move when you tighten up the asm, same with the front plate on the frame horns.