My '99 vert was in a wreck before I bought it, and whomever repaired it left-out a number of parts. I've replaced missing air dams, ducts, and screws and now have it almost back to where it should be. One thing still not correct is that the top of the bumper under the hood is only attached in 2 of the 6 locations:



It's attached with a couple bolts and nuts now, but I looked-up the parts info and it looked like they were supposed to be attached with some plastic push pins. I ordered some, but when they arrived the base is way to narrow to expand enough to hold the cover on:



Am I missing something here? Did the bumper mounts change in later years for the push pins? Is there another piece besides the cover and mount? Not a big deal, but I'm curious. Push comes to shove I get some more nuts and bolts to hold it down.

 

Other than the two screws you already have installed, the Parts List just shows the Push-Pin Retainers (4 ea for '98 Coupe/Vert), GM Part # 14093088. Is this the part number you have? My experience with this type push pin is that they go in a little loose and then they will spread out to hold the part in place when you push down on the pin.

Also, many auto parts stores carry an assortment of these pins and may have some larger ones should you need them.

Good luck!

 

Those are the pins I have, but they don't even come close to expanding enough to cover the holes and hold it in place.

 

Hmmm! I'm with you. Something isn't right. As I mentioned my edited reply above, you might check with your local auto parts store to see if they have some larger ones. I've found several different sizes before in the stores around here.

Good luck!

 

I'll wander by AutoZone here and see what they have. A set of 10 of the GM pins was only $5, so I'm not out a bunch of money or anything. I can probably use them somewhere else in the future.

Thanks!

Greg

 

It looks as though you may still be missing an item or two from whoever put the bumper fascia back on.

I'm thinking maybe the "Front bumper fascia bracket", part number 10256972 and/or the "Front bumper fascia retainer (to bracket)", part number 10256973 and their associated hardware.

Go by any GM dealer (it doesn't have to be Chev) and ask the parts guy to look in the "Y" body (Corvette) parts listing, in Group 7 (which covers Frame, Bumpers and Rear Suspension) and check page 4-G15. The page number may be slightly different since my parts listing is a few years old, but this will get him and you very close to what you need to see. Ask him to please swivel the monitor around so you can both see the page and you can see an "exploded" view of what you're looking for.
It appears as though both the "bracket" and the "retainer" need to be installed to the frame cross beam in order for the bumper fascia's (the part you're trying to secure) push pins to have the proper sized hole to install in, and both the bracket and retainer each have a couple of pieces of their own mounting hardware too.
Even if you don't order or buy the items from this particular dealer, at least you'll be able to see what you're dealing with and be able to get some part numbers.
If you find you need to order some of these items to properly complete the mounting of the bumper fascia, I would recommend calling either Fichtner Chev or Fred Beans. They are both aproved forum vendors here and will give you a considerable savings as compared to the "bend over and grab your ankles" list pricing if you just walk into the parts department of any other dealer.

 

I have the parts manual on CD, and I see the retainer and bracket. I'm pretty-sure I have the bracket, but the retainer may be missing. Anyone have a good shot of their properly attached bumper I could get a look at?

Thanks,

Greg

 

I have my front bumper off right now and if you Pm me your e-mail I'll send you some pics under the cover tomorrow. I think the two screws were on the outside and the rest were push pins like you have.

 

Thanks! I sent you a PM with my email address.

Greg

 

Let me hear what you find.

 

I looked at the pics, and I appear to have all the parts necessary. It looked like their might be another piece under the bracket the cover attaches to, but I couldn't find anything that looked like it in the parts catalog or a place where it might be broken or not attached to my piece.

So, I decided to cheat instead. I took 4 large washer with a hole just slightly bigger than the push pins. I held them under the bracket holes and used them to hold the depressed pins and bumper cover in place. Works great, and cost me nothing (I have thousands of washers lying around.) Thank you all for your advice and help!

Greg