Rear bumper headache/question...

[Rick Lee]

My rear bumper sags on the passenger side, due to having been hit and improperly repaired byt the P.O. This weekend a friend and I got the bumper off and tracked down the problem, which seems very reparable. Here's the catch and I will try to track down a photo somewhere to post:

The upper bolt on the bracket holding the bumper shock (part number 911 505 223 00) is inaccessible from the left side. All that's wrong is a loose upper bracket bolt. So I need to jack up the bumper shock and tighten the bracket. The upper bolt (13mm) is easy to reach from the right side. But some metal piece, which I could not identify from my manuals, is too restrictive to allow a box wrench in from the other, where I need to hold the nut while I tighten the bolt with a ratchet. If I can't find a good solution for this, I may end up drilling out a larger hole, which will accomodate the box wrench. Though this will be a huge pain in itself. As far as I can tell, it's inaccessible from above the engine area. Does this explanation make sense to anyone, and if so, how can I tighten that bracket? Seems to me, anyone who has replaced a right-side, rear bumper shock should know about this. Please advise. Thanks.

[87 slant nose]

JUST REMOVE THE FENDER EXTENSION, ASND ITS RIGHT THERE!
KEITH

[Rick Lee]

Thanks Keith, but I don't think that will solve it. I know my description isn't crystal clear. Removing the fender extension (passenger side) will not improve access to the left (inner) side of the bumper shock bracket bolt. I can already reach the right (outer) side of the bolt. It's the other end of the bolt I can't reach.

[87 slant nose]

RICHARD,
MINE JUST BOLTS TO THE BODY WITHOUT A NUT ON THE BACK.
I,VE JUST INSTALLED AN ALUMINUM STOCK BUMPER TO REPLACE
THE FIBERGLASS BUMPER THAT CAME ON MY CABRIOLET. THE NUT
ON THE END OF THE SHOCK WAS A ***** BUT I TIGHTNED ALL
OF THEM AFTER I INSTALLED THE BUMPER AND LINED THEM UP.
KEITH
kepperly@stanion.com