Rear Bumper Pad Alignment

[josephvman]

What is the best way to re-align this left rear bumper pad? I've tried pushing on the lower right edge but it won't move.

[Mark Salvetti]

Do you know what happened to it? It's odd because the top and the side by the license plate looks fine, it's only the lower portion that seems deformed.

I'm not sure that's fixable. Maybe try a block of wood and a floor jack to carefully push up on it.

Mark

[josephvman]

Mark, when I first got the car I had the rear valance refinished because the area around the tailpipe was a little scratched up, like it had been catching on a slope. I'm sure they had to remove the bumpers, and I think it was just re-installed incorrectly. I didn't really notice it, but now I do and it's bugging me.

[Mark Salvetti]

Ah. Well, it’s held on by three nuts on the inside. You could try unbolting it and resetting. I’m just not sure that’s the problem, since most of it looks fine.

Pretty sure you will need to remove the muffler to get to the nuts.

Mark

[josephvman]

Thanks Mark!

[917_Langheck]

No need to remove the muffler, just the heat shield that backs up to the rear valence.

Since the buffer studs fit a prescribed pattern in the bumper, there is little adjustment to be made. It's likely the rubber material has taken a set in that configuration or has failed in some way. Rusting of the metal plate that holds the studs is a possible culprit.

[Jeff Burger]

Originally Posted by josephvman

What is the best way to re-align this left rear bumper pad? I've tried pushing on the lower right edge but it won't move.

the rear valence mounting point was moved more to the back of the bumper at some point (I forget the year they changed) - the rear bumper blocks were different to make them fit correctly when it changed. I suspect the bumper block on the left is the wrong year probably later 3.2. you can pull it off and check the part number molded on the inside.

[917_Langheck]

Originally Posted by Jeff Burger

the rear valence mounting point was moved more to the back of the bumper at some point (I forget the year they changed) - the rear bumper blocks were different to make them fit correctly when it changed. I suspect the bumper block on the left is the wrong year probably later 3.2. you can pull it off and check the part number molded on the inside.

Unless that it a modified '74 or '75 Carrera, that is a 3.2 (84-89) Carrera.

[Jeff Burger]

Originally Posted by 917_Langheck

Unless that it a modified '74 or '75 Carrera, that is a 3.2 (84-89) Carrera.

based on the reflector pre - 87

[Mark Salvetti]

Originally Posted by Jeff Burger

based on the reflector pre - 87

Based on Joseph's signature, it's a 1984. I think the bumperettes changed in 1986.

Mark