How to Adjust Bumper Angle?

[hozer]

I had a fender bender and put on a new bumper along with the "bumper mounts" (intermediate piece between the bumper and frame part). This got the bumper about 70% back to its original position.

But the bumper still hangs down at a slight angle. So I suspect the frame part itself is slightly bent or that there is a way to adjust the bumper that I am not aware of. I tried a adjusting it some and got it fairly close, but its still not right.

So...should I try to bend the bumper mounts slightly? THe frame side looks too robust to mess with. I think this might solve the problem, but before I go butchering it up I was hoping to hear an opinion of this.

 

[RayLCC]

Instead of cutting up things, could you just put a "wedge" style spacer behind the bumper to correct the angle? It would be an easy fix and wouldn't involve cutting that couldn't be undone.

 

[scott93EB]

hehe, I tryed to move a dead tree in the road, not so good, bad teh same problem. IF the wedge deos not work what we ended up doing was slotting the holes in the frame part just a tiny bit, so you get some adjustment. It let mine go right back to normal. Because you can't undo the cutting try a as little as you can first.

 

[hozer]

The wedge thing isnt such a bad idea...but how do you become sure the wedge stays in place. If it pops out, you will lose the preload...then vibration will shake the bolts loose and the bumper goes.

But I think I may have thought of a better idea. The bolts on the frame are slightly offset, so I think some washers in just one of the bolts (leaving the the other alone) will allow it to shift slightly. If that doesnt work...it should for the bolts between the bumper and the intermediate plate.

 

[MONMIX]

What I have always done is heat the frame rail buper mounts with an acetylene torch and with a hammer or a morgan knocker manipulate the mounts to where they need to be.

If you do this let the bumper mounts cool naturaly. DO NOT quick cool them.

 

[hozer]

Hmmm....I would think this will affect the strength of the mounts. In turn it will affect the amount of strain energy it can absorb before failure. So I would think you are kinda playing with the safety of the vehicle, those mounts are there in part absorb energy by plastically deforming. Lowering the yield strength will lower the strain energy.

Also, since it may not be able to absorb as much energy...you could end up doing damage to other structure in a fender bender situation since the energy is absorbed elsewhere. I suspect that would be more difficult to fix than simply swapping mounts.

 

[j602]

Why ask a question when you're already set on doing it your way?

 

[hozer]

I didnt think of it until someone mentioned the idea of the wedge...which was after I posted the original thread. I dont see how you are being constructive, but rather just antogonistic.

 

[j602]

I don't see how you're helping the site/bandwidth by posting a thread where it seemed as if you already knew what you going to do.

 

[hozer]

OK, obviously you cannot read. I did not get the idea until AFTER I created this thread and AFTER someone mentioned the wedge idea.

Monmix then posted his approach and I only replied to that because I thought it to be a possible safety issue (since I have knowledge of mechanics of materials).

You then decided to be a wise guy and make comments...I will not reply to you again since you are just trying to cause problems.

 

[j602]

I am not trying to cause problems. Obviously you didn't read my last post. It SEEMED as if you already knew how you wanted to go about doing it.

As for the topic at hand, I change the postion of my bumper with a floor jack and wood blocks. Loosen, jack, and retighten.

 

[hozer]

OK, sorry about the miscommunication.

I had thought about this idea too and it seems pretty good, but I wasnt sure if I would end up just crushing the bumper. Can you elaborate on the method you used? Do you take of the bottom plastic piece first as it seems it wouldnt bend all over the place. Which bolts do you loosen? This may be easier than messing around trying to get just the right amount of washers on there.

Or did you just mean adjusting the bumper with jack? I would need to actually plastically deform the material for it to adjust the angle...its not really and adjustment in as much as deforming it into place.

 

[j602]

Well, I have a first gen, so there is no plastic piece. But yes, definitely take off the valence part first. Loosen the 4 main bolts holding the bumper to the frame flanges, put the wood block on top of the jack, then put the jack under the bumper. Jack up under the side of the bumper after the curve. When you have it in the right spot, tighten the 2 bolts on the side you just adjusted and then do the other side.

 

[hozer]

Hmmm...I wonder if it this is a necessary part when installing the bumper? Would one expect to be able to just bolt it on have it fit square otherwise? Perhaps improper installation is the root of my problem.

 

[j602]

There's LOTS of adjustment on a bumper. The 4 bolts at the 4, 4 bolts on the inside of the bumper, and I think 1 or 2 smaller bolts on each side that can make minor adjustments.

 

[hozer]

I can see how the will allow one to adjust the bumper up and down, but still not sure how there is an adjustment on front to back rotation. I will give the jacking method a shot and see how it works out. It only needs a little so maybe that will be enough.

 

[MONMIX]

This is an industry, I-CAR accepted repair techniche for minor frame rail end adjustments. Strenght is the reason I said to let it cool naturaly.
As you know a slow natural cool will be singificantly stonger then a quick cooled.

Ford also sells just the " rail end caps " or the bumper mounts. They need to be welded in place though.

 

[Brian_B]

MONMIX is a pro with vehicles. That is the way we have straightened steel of all sorts for years and years in our industry (steel fabrication). Just do not rapid cool (dunk it in water) like those guys on TV do. That will chrystalize (sp?) the metal making it brittle.