Go Vette Go

I have been working on reassembling my 69 after having it painted. I got the rear bumpers installed but there is a gap between the outside of the fender and bumper. I am installing the original rechromed bumpers so all things equal - these should bolt right on.

Were shims used? Or is this just a matter of adjusting all the brackets (and bolt holes) along the rear so the bumper moves closer to the body?

Thanks in advance!

John

SB64

In 69 shims were available for the front bumper outer supports. No shims were indicated for the rear bumper installation. The S brackets were installed flush to the fiberglass pad to keep stress on the fiberglass. Not installed correctly could damage fiberglass pad and create cracks. Outer brackets did not require shims per the 69 AIM.

RVZIO

Go Vette Go

Thanks RV! Passenger side has an ⅛” gap. Too much for the fiberglass. I’ll go out tomorrow and loosen all the brackets to reduce the gap. Oh, so much fun!

DUB

I am assuming on what I read...you have the gap between the quarter panel and the bumper where it is bolted above where your side marker light is located???

DUB

Go Vette Go

Exactly DUB!!! It looks like too much of a gap to "pull" it tight.

John

DUB

Did you get it adjusted and get rid of that 1/8" gap???

Honestly....I always want to try to get the bumper to be against the fiberglass when tightening up that quarter panel bumper bolt above the side marker light. But 1/8" is not that much to get the quarter to flex.

But there are cases when I go and put bumpers on that there is a gap and trying to rotate the bumper around the end of the quarter and slide it towards the license plate are will not allow the bumper to sit correctly. against teh flat surface on the corner and also the flat area by the license plate area.

In some cases I do my 'trick' to this bolt area due to often times the hole for this bolt has been previously damaged or cracked up. And if I have any major concerns that the quarter is going to crack...I put the car in the sun and heat up that area before I SLOWLY begin to tighten up that bolt/washer.

DUB

Go Vette Go

Quick answer - YES!!!! I went out after dinner tonight and loosened every bolt, tightened the outside bolt to bring the bumper to the body. Then it was a matter of tightening all the other bolts!!! DONE!!!

DUB - sorry for the long gap in answering! 2 bad head colds split by the flu and then I broke a rib!!! DOH!! Today was the first day I was able to lay on my back and reach up to the bumper bolts! Ahhhh - aging. Isn't it swell!!

DUB

Well as long as you are now doing well. That is all that matters.

And I am VERY GLAD that you got the repair completed to your satisfaction.

DUB