Bumper Replacment

[IdahoMan]

Might want to remove my front bumper to do some work on it as well as straighten it out.

What kind of job is this? I have a wrench set and that's about it. I don't want to risk banging/nicking my paint.

Thanks.


-IdahoMan

[fitz]

Start off by soaking all the bolts with PB Blaster for a few days before you do it.
 Do you own a socket set?

[IdahoMan]

I don't have a socket set.

How heavy/hard to handle is the bumper?

[bd]

The front bumper is fairly light weight.  Shroud the bumper's ends in rags and tape to protect fresh paint from sharp edges if you are doing the job solo.  A 1/2" drive deep socket set will make the job much easier.  X2 on soaking the bolts/nuts with good penetrating oil ahead of time.  It's easier to leave the brackets in place on the frame and unbolt the bumper from the brackets.

[IdahoMan]

Thanks bd.

Here's some pics of mine. (A is the frame, and B is a bumper bracket, yes?)

The left side is bent in. Do I have to realign the bumper somehow, or is the bumper itself bent?

[bd]

"A" is the frame, "B" is the outer right bracket; left side is similar.  Also, there are short brackets at the very front of both frame rails, for a total of four brackets - one inner and one outer on each side, two bolts per bracket.  Leave all of the brackets bolted to the vehicle and remove just the carriage head bumper bolts.

With careful observation you should be able to determine whether the bumper and/or the brackets are the cause of the misalignment.  But, generally, the bumpers easily distort to absorb the energy of impacts.

[IdahoMan]

Thanks!