Front end damage?
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 317
Likes: 0
From: Lexington Park Maryland
Front end damage?
I noticed the other day that there seems to be a broken snap, or bracket or something near the hood of the car. I put the picture as my profile picture. What can I do to fix this? It seems like a snap just broke.
Racer
Joined: Jun 2009
Posts: 290
Likes: 7
Mine does that too. Just push it back in. Mine pops up every few weeks. I just snap it back in.
Racer
Joined: Dec 2002
Posts: 304
Likes: 0
From: Bakersfield CA
I have 2005 coupe I purchased one month ago and it has the same problem. When I push it back down, it does not last weeks but only until I drive it again. Hopefully we can get some suggestions from owners who have dealt with this in the past!
Team Owner
Joined: Sep 2000
Posts: 24,964
Likes: 2,679
From: Far NW 'burbs of Chicago
St. Jude Donor '13
Last year my 2006 got hit in the front, all the plastic forward of the doors was replaced. When finished, it had the same "flip up" in one corner that you have.
There are two different clips on each side, the body shop said they did not fit very well on the GM replacement bumper/fenders. They finally went in and redid it right but I'm not sure exactly how. After a recent conversation, I suspect they removed the fender liner and added an additional non-standard fastener on each side, that's just a guess.
Many of the current cars (including my 2009) come out with some "flip", but not nearly as much as yours. If they remove the front bumper to reinstall or somehow tighten the clips, be aware that most shops have a difficult time getting the bumper back against the fenders as tightly as before.
There are several threads about this from around March-May of this year, you might try a search under my name.
Good luck!
Team Owner
Joined: Sep 2000
Posts: 24,964
Likes: 2,679
From: Far NW 'burbs of Chicago
St. Jude Donor '13
Instructor
Joined: Jul 2009
Posts: 179
Likes: 0
Thanks! I have the same issue! Both flaps have poppped up. I cannot push the bumper closer to close the gap, it always goes back to the raised position. I'm also interested in these clips and how to replace them!
Thanks
Thanks
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Team Owner
Joined: Sep 2000
Posts: 24,964
Likes: 2,679
From: Far NW 'burbs of Chicago
St. Jude Donor '13
I should add that the plastic body panels move around a bit depending on temperature. When I bought my 2009 in June, the dealer had two absolutely identical cars in stock, I got to pick which one I wanted. So I spent a couple of hours looking them over, in the shade and in the sun, and noticed the "flip" would vary depending on how warm the car is.
The one I bought is sitting in our garage right now on a cool night, about 55 degrees. Flip is virtually gone. Park it in the sun on a hot day and it becomes more noticable.
The one I bought is sitting in our garage right now on a cool night, about 55 degrees. Flip is virtually gone. Park it in the sun on a hot day and it becomes more noticable.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 3,213
Likes: 396
From: Indianapolis IN
Lift the hood and try to push it back in the clip. While you have the hood open, you can see the clip where the bumper clips on to the fender. You may need a new clip, however, it will require some dis-assembly of the bumper.
I've had my bumper off around 3-4 times this summer and still on the same clips without issue. Good luck!
I've had my bumper off around 3-4 times this summer and still on the same clips without issue. Good luck!
