rear bumper cover question
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: May 2010
Posts: 103
Likes: 1
From: St. Charles MO
rear bumper cover question
So I had never noticed it at all before, but someone brought it to my attention that they thought the rear bumper cover on my '04 vert looked a little "off" and asked if it had been repaired / off the car or what. Knowing the history of the car, I know it hasn't and has never been in an accident, etc. I have been so used to it, it really didn't even catch my eye, but upon closer looking, I realized that he had a point - now I think this is purely the way the thing was built and the nature of the construction of these bumpers - but if I run my hand from the quarter panel behind the rear tire, past the joint of the quarter and bumper cover and along the bumper cover - I can definitely feel how the bumper cover is actually a bit concave. It is more pronounced on one side than the other. 99% of people would never pick up on it, but a Corvette guy did. My question - do you guys see this on yours? I'm going to start looking at as many as I can here soon, hoping it's typical and I don't have a flawwed car and never knew it!! I don't have a better picture than what is on my profile album unfortunately.
Drifting
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 1,793
Likes: 7
From: Santa Maria Ca.
Looks like there may be a couple of ways to fix it,I'm going to try the mounting bolt adjustment,doesn't bother me enough to remove the bumper cover:
http://forums.corvetteforum.com/c5-g...scia-dent.html
http://forums.corvetteforum.com/c5-g...scia-dent.html
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: May 2010
Posts: 103
Likes: 1
From: St. Charles MO
Yes, upon further investigation, I found out that it is pretty common, and it also "comes and goes" or gets a little better / worse with changes in temperature / humidity, etc as the plastic flexes some I guess. I spoke with a local Corvette guy / mechanic and also went and looked at a few around town the other day I was so worked up over it!
It really isn't that bad at all on mine, I just got all freaked out when I actually stared at it for a few days after having never paid it one bit of attention before because I was so used to it! Thanks guys.
It really isn't that bad at all on mine, I just got all freaked out when I actually stared at it for a few days after having never paid it one bit of attention before because I was so used to it! Thanks guys.
Racer
Joined: Jan 2010
Posts: 473
Likes: 0
From: Jeffersonville Indiana
I've also heard it's common, but mine isn't bad... but, I had to buy a used bumper recently (I'm picking it up tomorrow) because someone backed into mine and put a hole in it. I'm hoping the "new" bumper, once prepped and painted, looks even better than my current one, and doesn't have the concave thing goin on.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 6,072
Likes: 196
From: Arizona
I call this the infamous C5 driver's side 'dimple.' It's more evident on some colors than others. My car is Machine Silver and under certain lighting conditions it's quite obvious. Others here has disagreed with me, but every C5 I've seen has this dimple.It bothered me so much that I ordered a new OE rear bumper cover -- but when it arrived it had the dimple, too, so I returned it.
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Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 13,421
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From: Lake Mary Florida
Yep very typical. Difference between urethane and SMC. Two totally different structures. Also, you'll notice the paint is slightly different from the body panels to the nose and rear bumpers.
Earlier generation Vettes were much worst, many of them became warped badly.
If you have a good eye and in florescent light, SMC is not smooth perfect like metal is. You'll see all kinds of imperfections in body panels depending upon the angle you view them from. But the nice thing about SMC and urethane, at night you can hear the metal cars rusting.
Earlier generation Vettes were much worst, many of them became warped badly.
If you have a good eye and in florescent light, SMC is not smooth perfect like metal is. You'll see all kinds of imperfections in body panels depending upon the angle you view them from. But the nice thing about SMC and urethane, at night you can hear the metal cars rusting.
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I've seen it on quite a few of the C5s. Don't notice it much on my '03, but did notice it on the '00 I had.