Rear bumper insert shoved in?
Thread Starter
6th Gear
Joined: May 2023
Posts: 6
Likes: 0
Rear bumper insert shoved in?
No idea how this happened.
Unable to manipulate the tabs or shove back in, too tight.
Looks like the bumper will need to come off for this to be fixed. I do not want to be the one to take the bumper off.
Do you think I should take it to a body shop or dealership. I am located in houston.
There appears to be one broken tab and a small crack in the paint. Hopefully I can get by without replacing the bumper or fully repainting. What are your thoughts?
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jun 2020
Posts: 1,004
Likes: 712
From: Windermere, Florida
Someone would have had to kick that in or backed into something just at the spot?
Sorry to see that .. and tried pulling best you can to bring it back into place?
Body shop for sure - they can get bumper off with ease and professionalism and hopefully then realign that vent piece.
Good Luck
Sorry to see that .. and tried pulling best you can to bring it back into place?
Body shop for sure - they can get bumper off with ease and professionalism and hopefully then realign that vent piece.
Good Luck
Moderator
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 39,116
Likes: 17,973
From: DFW Area TX
If one of the tabs is broken, the bumper may need to be replaced. Do any of your local Chevy dealers have a body shop? I'm fortunate to have both a local Chevy dealer and Cadillac dealer (the two brands that I own) that have excellent body shops.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 2,303
Likes: 1,864
From: Oregon
Woooo, a bumper would be really expensive. I hope your can find a good body shop that can epoxy that together, or find a way to repair that tab.
If you buy a new bumper, then have it painted, then hope it fits correctly. Way too much money for one little tab.
If you buy a new bumper, then have it painted, then hope it fits correctly. Way too much money for one little tab.
Safety Car
Joined: Jul 2013
Posts: 4,408
Likes: 3,485
From: Granada Hills CA
I wonder if a shop is allowed to "repair" a broken tab on a bumper cover...
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Good luck - I would take it to a trusted body shop for the fix.
Pro
Joined: Oct 2019
Posts: 746
Likes: 657
From: San Jose CA
I've seen many here take their bumper fascia off to play with exhaust and such. Search and find one of them to ask how. Also there are many plastic fix solutions to fix the tab yourself. This isn't a warranty item unless you can get a agreeable dealer to say it came that way. And if you claim it on your insurance you can bet your premiums will increase.
Good luck
Good luck
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Safety Car
Joined: Dec 2009
Posts: 4,300
Likes: 3,199
From: Oro Valley Arizona
2nd verse same as the first.....
This is a high wing install video. Of course, the first thing is removing the rear fascia. So it also fits with what you need to accomplish. Several members posted positive reviews of this video.
Race Director
Joined: Aug 2008
Posts: 14,093
Likes: 1,599
From: Edmond Oklahoma
I have had to repair a couple of inserts similar to what you have. The bumper cover will have to be removed to access the back of the panel. with the bumper cover removed you will be able to see what the extent of the damage is to the tabs. With the cover removed take the cover to a good body shop for repair and reinstalling the vent panel. You should be able to reinstall the bumper cover without much trouble. The cost here is the labor to remove and reinstall the bumper cover. If you can do it yourself, a lot of money can be saved.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 2,303
Likes: 1,864
From: Oregon
Agree with remove bumper and fix it yourself. The hard part is:
1. What brand of epoxy is best? JB weld seems to stick to anything if you can wait 24 hours for it to dry.
I had some 3M automotive adhesive that was awesome, but you need a 2 barrel dispenser gun to mix it and it is super expensive, short shelf life (~12 months)
2. If the tab is missing, you may have to make one from metal or plastic. Then epoxy that on.
Yea, it's never easy, but it is cheap. Better than paying $2000 for a new bumper install.
1. What brand of epoxy is best? JB weld seems to stick to anything if you can wait 24 hours for it to dry.
I had some 3M automotive adhesive that was awesome, but you need a 2 barrel dispenser gun to mix it and it is super expensive, short shelf life (~12 months)
2. If the tab is missing, you may have to make one from metal or plastic. Then epoxy that on.
Yea, it's never easy, but it is cheap. Better than paying $2000 for a new bumper install.
Race Director
Joined: Aug 2008
Posts: 14,093
Likes: 1,599
From: Edmond Oklahoma
Agree with remove bumper and fix it yourself. The hard part is:
1. What brand of epoxy is best? JB weld seems to stick to anything if you can wait 24 hours for it to dry.
I had some 3M automotive adhesive that was awesome, but you need a 2 barrel dispenser gun to mix it and it is super expensive, short shelf life (~12 months)
2. If the tab is missing, you may have to make one from metal or plastic. Then epoxy that on.
Yea, it's never easy, but it is cheap. Better than paying $2000 for a new bumper install.
1. What brand of epoxy is best? JB weld seems to stick to anything if you can wait 24 hours for it to dry.
I had some 3M automotive adhesive that was awesome, but you need a 2 barrel dispenser gun to mix it and it is super expensive, short shelf life (~12 months)
2. If the tab is missing, you may have to make one from metal or plastic. Then epoxy that on.
Yea, it's never easy, but it is cheap. Better than paying $2000 for a new bumper install.
