Could I fix this bent bumper myself?

C@lvin · Post by **C@lvin** » 19 May 2010, 07:16

I am thinking about buying this 97 850 NA with 182K.It can be driven as is, but obviously it would be better for the bumber to be at the correct height. Someone rearended it and ran up over the bumper and pushed it down. Can this bumper be bent back into more or less the correct position? Any tips on how to go about accomplishing that?

Other than the obvious, the only other thing affected was that the wheel well is dented in some.

Post by **FlyingVolvo** » 19 May 2010, 07:26

Don't know how similar it is compared to an XC, but just a few days ago I bent my bumper up a little from where it was sagging. Obviously, the one you pictured is "sagging" more...

I simply undid the rivets in the wheel wells, then underneath there were two long 14mm bolts. Once those were out, the whole thing slides right off by pulling back. Once it's off, (assuming it is like my V70XC) you'll see the brackets where the bumper slides into and where the bolts you just took out screw in to. You can then pry those brackets up to correct much of the sagging, assuming there isn't any serious damage.

By the looks of it, that bumper does have some warping at the bottom. You could probably get it looking MUCH better for cheap, but not 100%...

Good luck!

CrusT5 · Post by **CrusT5** » 19 May 2010, 07:27

Probably yes, Duct tape and zip ties.
Hah, Seriously though yes.

Post by **FlyingVolvo** » 19 May 2010, 07:30

Might I also add: https://www.amazon.com/Forever-Black-Bum ... 790&sr=8-1

110% worth it!

C@lvin · Post by **C@lvin** » 19 May 2010, 08:56

Thanks for your replies.

ecbsykes wrote: You can then pry those brackets up to correct much of the sagging, assuming there isn't any serious damage.

How exactly did you pry the brackets and with what level of force/effort? Did you just do it manually with a pry bar or did you use a jack under it, maybe a come-along, or something else?

CrusT5 wrote:Probably yes, Duct tape and zip ties.

HeHe.....did you recently see the Mythbusters episode in which they literally duct taped a car together? The whole episode was about duct tape myths - most of which were proven to be true.

Post by **jblackburn** » 19 May 2010, 09:18

Probably not the answer that you want to hear, but I'm gonna say it depends what got bent under it.

A pole walked out of nowhere behind me in a parking lot in my old car, and I was able to remove the bumper cover and bend/pound the frame underneath back into shape.

HeHe.....did you recently see the Mythbusters episode in which they literally duct taped a car together? The whole episode was about duct tape myths - most of which were proven to be true.

The one where they hold a car up from a crane by duct tape alone? Yeah, that was pretty sweet. Now, if only it would STAY and hold up the white Christmas lights on the wall around my room

Post by **JDS60R** » 19 May 2010, 09:27

Do you know what happened to the right quarter panel and right rear door. It looks like the rear impact caused a kickdown and kink in the frame. I would check the unitized frame section under the right rear door and QP to se if it kicnked. Also inspect the roofline above for damamge. If the door has issues opening and closing it may be a sign of frame damage.
Then open the truck and check the spare tire well for impact damage.

This may not mean much now but if it is bent the alignment will be off and you will burn through tires.

When you unbolt the bumper you can replace what you need from a salvage yard but need to check for any tearing in the metal .

Is the car free? or really cheap? Its worth about $200 for salvage if the frame is bent.

C@lvin · Post by **C@lvin** » 19 May 2010, 09:32

jablackburn wrote:Probably not the answer that you want to hear, but I'm gonna say it depends what got bent under it.

Here is the frame/bracket just in front of the bumper on the passenger side (the driver side isn't as deformed). It looks like it might need to be welded or bolted back together. That doesn't worry me as much as if it were a front bumper problem.

C@lvin · Post by **C@lvin** » 19 May 2010, 09:39

JDS60R wrote:Do you know what happened to the right quarter panel and right rear door. It looks like the rear impact caused a kickdown and kink in the frame.

I know the picture looks like there is damage there, but it is just a reflection. The sheet metal is smooth. The only sheet metal problem is a slight outward bowing effect around the rearedge of the wheel well just in front of the bumper.

The underside picture I just posted is the only damage I can see from underneath.

Post by **JDS60R** » 19 May 2010, 09:47

I see. It has damamge to the rear body pane as well . It will need about $350 in metal work (weld, pull frame) and then the parts from a salvage yard. Car would be worth about $200 in its current condition.