Rear Bumper Tweaker, pictures inside, need advice

[BrianV]

Rear Bumper Tweaked, pictures inside, need advice

I want to purchase a 96-98 Explorer for utility purposes. I already own a couple real nice new cars, but want something for the bad weather, home depot, camping, biking, etc.

I really like the Explorer's size and overall offering. I have co-workers that own them and they've been extremely reliable. I also know there are parts everywhere for them, etc. Anyways, I've been looking at Explorers in my area and a few have caught my eye.

I have noticed that A LOT of Explorers have tweaked rear bumpers. All of the owners said they were rear-ended and they didn't fix it since they could still tow and it was only a little cosmetic. This leads me to believe that they maybe kept the insurance money since they realized the repair bill is super high. I don't blame them, I'd probably do the same, but if I buy an Explorer that has rear bumper damage, I want to make sure that discount is being passed down to me.

Anyways, here's a 97 V8 AWD XLT w/ 70k miles I'm looking at. The guy wants KBB retail, which in Texas is unbelivable, but I'm sensing he wants to move the car so hopefully he'll come down. Take a look at the bumper. What would that cost to get fixed; I want to use that as a bargaining chip:

PS - I did a quick search on google and on this board and couldn't find anything related to common rear bumper repairs.

Thanks,
BrianV

 

[Blee1099]

Welcome to the site.. The bumper brackets are probably bent.

 

[section525]

Welcome to the forum. It's probably just bent brackets from towing something a little too heavy. I would just get a floor jack, jack the back of the bumper level again, and get a draw-tite hitch to tow with. It should clean up rather well.

 

[BrianV]

Hmm should I be worried that it towed something too heavy?

He had mentioned it was from being rear-ended and he had a body shop re-enforce it or something. I would think if his story is true that a body shop could've/would've bent it back.

Thanks for the replies, keep 'em coming.

 

[gijoecam]

Any time you get bumped from behind, that's the way the brackets are set-up to allow the bumper to move without being smashed into the body. Typically you can just un-bolt the brackets, swing the bumper back up and tighten everything back down. Worst case, you need probably $50 worth or brackets. Not a big deal in my book.

If that's your only hesitation, I'd consider it sold.

-Joe

 

[dogfriend]

I did this to mine and I only needed to loosen the bolts and push it back in place. I didn't bend the brackets.

 

[MONMIX]

I did this to mine and I only needed to loosen the bolts and push it back in place. I didn't bend the brackets.

Exactaly
There is a pretty good amount of slot on those brackets. Even if they are bent ( which is likely ) odds are in your favor you can adjust the bumper to your liking.