2000 v70xc rear bumper pushed down

DrJammer · Post by **DrJammer** » 21 Dec 2014, 10:00

So someone must have backed into me and left without so much as a quick look in the rear view; too many parking lots this time of year.

So I studied rspi's awesome youtube video on the rear bumper, and I am looking for a bit of advice.

My brackets don't look rotted, but there is a bit of flaking. More importantly, I have a hitch which seemed to catch the bottom plastic. What is my best approach here? Do I just loosen the hitch and bracket bolts and try to wiggle the bumper up to catch the side grooves or am I looking at a total take off put back on deal? The bolt holding the muffler end piece is going to be a hussy.....

Post by **rspi** » 21 Dec 2014, 12:11

Show us a picture of the brackets from under the car.

Post by **kahl** » 21 Dec 2014, 12:18

Having recently replaced bracket I think your best bet is to pull the bumper and inspect mounting points. The two brackets and the sliders on each side. When the bracket bolts are pulled and rivets removed the bumper slides out. You can move the exhaust out of the way when you disconnect the rubber hangers.

Post by **JRL** » 21 Dec 2014, 13:37

If they just were a bit loose and someone/something pushed it down, loosen the bolts some more, slide the bumper back up and re-torque
If that doesn't work you need to see if the brackets are bent.
I've seen many of them sag a bit from repeated stepping or sitting on the bumper, however, I've never seen one that far down!

DrJammer · Post by **DrJammer** » 21 Dec 2014, 13:41

Driver side bracket looks good, passenger side leaves me a bit hesitant to fiddle with. Maybe loosen the hitch bolts, bracket bolts and work it up?

I am thinking the hitch may be the bigger pain...not sure.

Thank you in advance for your responses, just got this battle wagon back from the 4th rear suspension drop for the replaced/leaky fuel pump and the boss is determined for me to get rid of this car but I say no way.

Post by **E Showell** » 21 Dec 2014, 17:05

At that age, the brackets are likely to have the consistency of baklava. Think about replacing them and painting them with a rust inhibitor before you do.

Post by **rspi** » 21 Dec 2014, 18:20

The only way to get at those bracket boots are to remove the bumper cover and the metal bumper behind it.

DrJammer · Post by **DrJammer** » 22 Dec 2014, 06:14

Thanks for the replies, although the last comment from rspi sort of confuses me (bracket boot?). I wasn't thinking I would have to remove the metal bumper from the skin. Unless you meant that I would have to remove the whole bumper to get the brackets off the car.

I probably won't be touching anything until I get my hands on some new brackets (p/n 6816114). I will try to loosen and adjust. If that doesn't work, then I'll go for bracket replacement.

mmm...baklava.

Post by **E Showell** » 22 Dec 2014, 06:37

You don't have to remove the bumper cover from the metal bumper to get at the bolts. I'm not sure what Robert is thinking of.

Post by **cn90** » 22 Dec 2014, 08:53

Maybe...Floor Jack and some pieces of wood and jack it up...lol.