How to Fix A Bent Rear Bumper! Quick and Easy!!

[ssobel80]

I bought my 2000 XLS 4.0 OHV with a few minor issues, no big deal considering the price I got it for. The one that has bothered me the most has been the bent rear bumper, it just looks horrible!!!

Since it was raining today I decided to fix this problem today. I backed my explorer into the garage and got to work!

The first thing to do is loosen the two bolts that connect the rear bumper bracket to the frame I used a 13/16 deep impact socket on my 1/2 inch impact wrench. I would suggest spraying them with some PB blaster or other such product. However I did not, and I had no issues.

Once I had all four bolts loosened (not removed!!) I placed my jack on blocks under the rear bumper so I could get the right height to lift the bumper.

It did not take much to lift the bumper you are not trying to bend it back into place, you are just trying to reposition it and retighten the bolts to hold it there.

Once it was where I wanted it I retightend the bolts while the jack still held the bumper in place. I then lowered the jack and now I have a bumper that doesn't look like it is about to fall off!!!

 

[jake1018291]

now what if it is bent in the other direction??? lol like bent upwards

 

[koda2000]

you can try loosening the bolts and jumping up and down on the bumper, but if that doesn't do it you may need to shim it or replace the bumper brackets (easy to do except for the rust factor).

 

[jake1018291]

yeah haha rust is a big problem in kansass yeah i guess i didnt think of that when it happened i immediatly thought of the most redneck way to fix it and that is to tie a rope to the ball hitch run it under the vehicle to the front then to a tree and slowly back up haha

 

[koda2000]

yeah haha rust is a big problem in kansass yeah i guess i didnt think of that when it happened i immediatly thought of the most redneck way to fix it and that is to tie a rope to the ball hitch run it under the vehicle to the front then to a tree and slowly back up haha

whatever works i guess...

 

[1996BLKBauer]

Nice tutorial. But I don't understand why you blocked out your license plates... Hundreds of people see it each day.

 

[mikepier]

Your bolts look clean compared to what mine look like. My Explorer has seen the Northeast winters for the past 14 years. I would be lucky if I can get mine off. My bumper actually has a hole in the chome part from rusting from the inside out, but I covered it with a bumper sticker.

 

[koda2000]

i guess people block their plates for internet anonymity. the same reason you should shread your documents. you never know where you're info can end up.

 

[1996BLKBauer]

i guess people block their plates for internet anonymity. the same reason you should shread your documents. you never know where you're info can end up.

Not to get off the subject, but for documents that has more personal information... I mean if somebody wanted to do something? with your license plates, they could just go to a parking lot, why waste hours of time online to maybe find one. Regardless to each their own, I simply don't care enough to block them out.

 

[banderton]

That worked!

Awesome! That completely fixed my bumper! I had the same bumper sag you did and had tried to fix it by jacking the bumper up, but didn't know to loosen the bolts until you pointed them out. Followed your tutorial and it worked perfectly! Thanks!

 

[randomdude84]

Hey man, I have the same issue but with a 99 xls and mine is bent down a bit more. It doesn't look like the same bolt placement either. From my chitons book it looks like there are outer arms also. Do u have any advice for me, I'm gonna try this tomorrow. Did u take your spare off to do this?

 

[Sport954x4]

I bought my 2000 XLS 4.0 OHV with a few minor issues, no big deal considering the price I got it for. The one that has bothered me the most has been the bent rear bumper, it just looks horrible!!!


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Since it was raining today I decided to fix this problem today. I backed my explorer into the garage and got to work!

The first thing to do is loosen the two bolts that connect the rear bumper bracket to the frame I used a 13/16 deep impact socket on my 1/2 inch impact wrench. I would suggest spraying them with some PB blaster or other such product. However I did not, and I had no issues.

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Once I had all four bolts loosened (not removed!!) I placed my jack on blocks under the rear bumper so I could get the right height to lift the bumper.

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It did not take much to lift the bumper you are not trying to bend it back into place, you are just trying to reposition it and retighten the bolts to hold it there.

Once it was where I wanted it I retightend the bolts while the jack still held the bumper in place. I then lowered the jack and now I have a bumper that doesn't look like it is about to fall off!!!

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Great post! No extra BS just plain and simple, and still helping in 2024 Thanks!