Body/paint work
Thread Starter
Intermediate
Joined: May 2009
Posts: 49
Likes: 12
From: Oak Harbor Washington
Body/paint work
Curious minds here. Body shop is replacing the rear bumper with a used one but in really good shape. Problem is the alignment at the top corners. Seems as if the replacement might have shrunken a bit. Or is there a procedure/sequence on which bolts to tighten first, like you would an intake manifold. Bottom aligns up flush like it should.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Dec 2017
Posts: 5,590
Likes: 3,317
From: Virginia
2021 C5 of the Year Finalist - Modified
St. Jude Donor '21-'22
Putting used body panels on a C5 is really tricky. It can be very difficult to get all the panels to line up properly. However, I would talk to the shop as that simply is not acceptable.
Thread Starter
Intermediate
Joined: May 2009
Posts: 49
Likes: 12
From: Oak Harbor Washington
MWWarlord I know it can be tricky to line things up correctly. They're the ones who called me to let me know of the fitment issue before proceeding with the job. I'm going there this Friday to see what's going on. I was just curious if there was a sequence to fastening the bolts. Just seems odd the bottoms line up, just not the top outside corners. I have a bead on a replacement bumper from GM.
Zen Vet Master Level VII
Joined: Mar 2016
Posts: 5,218
Likes: 1,174
From: Southlake, TX
Did you pick the part for the body shop or did they do the sourcing?
If the shop did the part hunting, they should probably try a new piece. It would be a super cool gesture to swap it for a different part.
If the shop did the part hunting, they should probably try a new piece. It would be a super cool gesture to swap it for a different part.
Thread Starter
Intermediate
Joined: May 2009
Posts: 49
Likes: 12
From: Oak Harbor Washington
Bill, I sourced it myself here locally about 4 months ago. If all else fails, at least I can get the old bumper cleaned up, refreshed and make it into some man cave or garage art.
Zen Vet Master Level VII
Joined: Mar 2016
Posts: 5,218
Likes: 1,174
From: Southlake, TX
Well, you got a choice. Leave the work alone or get a new bumper. The idea of stretching it with heat will get it attached correctly and then it will retract when it cool.
If it were me, I'd find a new bumper from a good donor. If you source a bumper that has been out in the elements in some salvage yard for years you will probably deal with the same situation. These bumper are flexible by design so they will naturally expand and contract.
If it were me, I'd find a new bumper from a good donor. If you source a bumper that has been out in the elements in some salvage yard for years you will probably deal with the same situation. These bumper are flexible by design so they will naturally expand and contract.
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Thread Starter
Intermediate
Joined: May 2009
Posts: 49
Likes: 12
From: Oak Harbor Washington
Well, you got a choice. Leave the work alone or get a new bumper. The idea of stretching it with heat will get it attached correctly and then it will retract when it cool.
If it were me, I'd find a new bumper from a good donor. If you source a bumper that has been out in the elements in some salvage yard for years you will probably deal with the same situation. These bumper are flexible by design so they will naturally expand and contract.
If it were me, I'd find a new bumper from a good donor. If you source a bumper that has been out in the elements in some salvage yard for years you will probably deal with the same situation. These bumper are flexible by design so they will naturally expand and contract.
Thank you to everyone who has chimed in with possible problems/solutions.