Rear Bumper side covers 91 S2

[mjrobinson62]

Okay so here is my short version....I have a 91 S2 Cab and I had just spent a year and half rebuilding the motor from the pan up. I put 1000 miles of easy driving on it to break it in and was out for the first time after that to really enjoy the car for the first time in a long time. It was amazing

Then sitting at a traffic light I was rear-ended. My father-in-law a 35 year police veteran, who was in the car said as we starting getting out that "as hard as we were hit there would be no rear end left". We were amazed to find out that it actually survived very well with only damage to the bumper, bumper shocks and of course it bent in the side plastic bumper covers.

And my question is about these covers. The insurance company of the lady who hit me is replacing pads shocks painting bumper etc. but is only (so far agreeing to "repair" the side covers. They have told the body shop to heat them and shape them back to original. Can this be done? Has it been done successfully in the past and does it last? Or will they eventually crack? or collapse back in? Any first hand knowledge is appreciated.

[C ANDERSON]

Yes it can be done , Last set I did put in the oven on warm untill they got soft . Using a pair of gloves shape back into place and hold until there cool . It's important to hold untill cool .Rubber parts have a sort of memory lots of times they will go back into shape with just a heat gun . This is the same basic procedure used by Keystone and other bumper remanufacturing facility's . Some have hot tanks they submurge them in . Your home hot water may be hot enough but since the bumper ends are small enough for an oven it works.

Clifton Anderson
Anderson Restoration

[ernie9944]

Figth them & don't settle for repair, the bumpers cover wasn't damage before she hit you rigth? so why should you settle for one being repair (which I doubt will last by trying to bring it back into shape with heat).Had some experience with my friend front spoiler which is make of the same material ,heat will bring back but after a while it will collaspe back in.We end making an aluminum brace in order to fix the issue.Your car is the last of the S2 produce so take care of it.Btw if they balk at buying a new one (which is expensive) you could get either a replacement or a use one for a lot less & let them pay for it.

[FrenchToast]

I agree with ernie9944. As long as they were not bent before the collision it is their responsibility to return the car to its previous condition.

I do not have first-hand knowledge, sorry. I dont doubt it can be done, but that isnt the point. The insurance company should replace them. If you do get a used set, make sure the two studs top and bottom are in securely (some squirm or even fully twist around as a result of trying to remove the rusted nuts with which they are attached).

Also you may need to replace/check your 951-style rear diffuser. Also have a professional body shop inspect the rear part of the unibody to see if it is still straight, which I'm sure it is, but check anyway. It is the responsibility of the insurance company to repair the as close to its previous state as possible.

Stinky situation I know, sorry. But you're both okay! And just the bumper and ancillaries is pretty minor. Good luck!

[chills2]

Don't settle for repairing them they will never look right. Call Jamie at 944Online.com he has used ones very reasonable.