Author Topic: Front Bumper Alignment  (Read 7566 times)

Offline boulky12

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Front Bumper Alignment
« on: September 04, 2016, 07:11:03 pm »
I spent hours today trying to align my front bumper. The Pass. side is pushed in about a half inch compared to the drivers side.

The way I was trying to align it was to remove the bumper but leave the brackets on. Then bend the brackets in and out.

First I took measurements and tried making the brackets exactly the same and even. Put the bumper on and no change.

Then I tried bending the Pass. side out and bending the Drivers side in a little. Put the bumper on and no change.

Then I tried bending the Pass. side out more and bending the Drivers side in all the way as far as it could go. Put the bumper on and no change! >:(

I thought this was how you did it but obviously i'm doing something wrong.

Can someone please explain. Thank you
86 Swb GMC, 2/2 drop, stock 305/350, Quadrajet, Dual Tanks, 3.08 gears, Rally wheels

Offline VileZambonie

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Re: Front Bumper Alignment
« Reply #1 on: September 04, 2016, 07:28:59 pm »
First, Why are you changing the bumper? Was it hit?

Loosen ALL bolts for the brackets and bumper. Mask all areas and use a floor jack w block of wood to get it where it needs to be, then tighten all bolts.
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74 GMC, 75 K5, 84 GMC, 85 K20, 86 k20, 79 K10

Offline boulky12

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Re: Front Bumper Alignment
« Reply #2 on: September 04, 2016, 07:36:15 pm »
First, Why are you changing the bumper? Was it hit?

Yes original bumper was hit on pass. side and pushed in.

Loosen ALL bolts for the brackets and bumper. Mask all areas and use a floor jack w block of wood to get it where it needs to be, then tighten all bolts.


I could see this being useful if the bumper was bent up or down but my issue is one side is pushed in more towards the fender.
86 Swb GMC, 2/2 drop, stock 305/350, Quadrajet, Dual Tanks, 3.08 gears, Rally wheels

Offline VileZambonie

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Re: Front Bumper Alignment
« Reply #3 on: September 04, 2016, 07:47:45 pm »
Post pics
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                         /  _ _ _\_
              ⌠¯¯¯¯¯'   [☼===☼]
              `()_);-;()_)--o--)_)

74 GMC, 75 K5, 84 GMC, 85 K20, 86 k20, 79 K10

Offline boulky12

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Re: Front Bumper Alignment
« Reply #4 on: September 04, 2016, 08:00:06 pm »
86 Swb GMC, 2/2 drop, stock 305/350, Quadrajet, Dual Tanks, 3.08 gears, Rally wheels

Offline 1967KaiserM715

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Re: Front Bumper Alignment
« Reply #5 on: September 05, 2016, 06:00:17 pm »
I don't think there is enough movement in the center mounts, and enough strength in the outer mounts to accomplish what you want, you will need to unbend the bumper- the easiest way is to find a tree and use a come-along to pull on the bumper*a little bit goes a long way.
Current Vehicles:1985 GMC K10(Daily) 1991 GMC K2500(Daily) 1975 Beetle(not running) 1985 Mercedes 300D(not running) 1952 M35    1967 M715(not running)
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Offline Irish_Alley

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Re: Front Bumper Alignment
« Reply #6 on: September 05, 2016, 07:35:30 pm »
or egg out the bolt holes
If you can’t tell yourself the truth, who can you tell it to?~Irish_Alley

When you have eliminated the impossible, whatever remains, however improbable, must be the truth ~Sherlock Holmes

Offline boulky12

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Re: Front Bumper Alignment
« Reply #7 on: September 05, 2016, 09:06:53 pm »
This is a new bumper so I know the bumpers not bent.

I ended up messing with the 2 inner brackets.

I shoved the drivers side in as far as it went and bolted it down, and pulled the pass. side out as far as it went and bolted it down.

It's pretty even on both sides now and I'm satisfied with it.
86 Swb GMC, 2/2 drop, stock 305/350, Quadrajet, Dual Tanks, 3.08 gears, Rally wheels

Offline OldGray

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Re: Front Bumper Alignment
« Reply #8 on: September 13, 2016, 11:09:50 pm »
My rear bumper was pushed in a bit on one side, so I parked it about 10 feet from a stout tree and hooked a block and tackle (come-along) to the tree and pulled it out that way. 
1979 Chevrolet Bonanza / 305 / LWB

Offline boulky12

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Re: Front Bumper Alignment
« Reply #9 on: September 14, 2016, 04:45:02 pm »
My rear bumper was pushed in a bit on one side, so I parked it about 10 feet from a stout tree and hooked a block and tackle (come-along) to the tree and pulled it out that way.

Did you pull with the force of the truck or with the force of the come along. Me and my bro have tried doing the tree method before with other trucks and sometimes we go a little too far if you know what I mean
86 Swb GMC, 2/2 drop, stock 305/350, Quadrajet, Dual Tanks, 3.08 gears, Rally wheels

Offline OldGray

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Re: Front Bumper Alignment
« Reply #10 on: September 15, 2016, 10:36:28 am »
Only with the force of the Come-along.  It was actually pretty easy to get it where I needed.
1979 Chevrolet Bonanza / 305 / LWB