Rear plastic bumper warped?

[Jolton49]

Hi, does anyone have any tips on how to fix my bumper on my KZJ78? It was already like this when I got it but i don't think it's because of and accident.... Maybe just warped over time?

 

[JuanJ]

Hello,

The plastic corner is bolted to the metal bumper. In turn, two gussets join the metal bumper to the frame.

The rear bumper is intended to bend/deform in case of an impact, in order to protect the rear frame rails. The plastic is beefier than it looks, and so is the mounting inside.

Something is bent on the inside.

In a nutshell:

1. Remove the nuts that hold the three upper bolts of the metal bumper.
2. Remove the two lower bolts of the bumper.
3. Feel the inside of the plastic bumper. There should be two nuts. Remove them.
4. Gently pull the metal bumper out.
5. The plastic corner has a guide that attaches it to the body. Slide it forward until it is loose.
6. Remove the gussets that hold the metal bumper in place.
7. Check the plastic corner. The guide on the inside should be in one piece. If not, you can either glue the pieces together or order a replacement plastic corner.
8. Check the gussets for bending or warping. Sometimes it is possible to straighten them in a vise. Sometimes it is better to replace them.
9. Assemble the bumper, following the steps above in reverse.

The plastic bumper may be discontinued for your model year. However, the corner from a newer model will fit.

Hope this helps.





Juan