2nd Gen Non-Engine/Transmission straightening a rear bumper

[DLangford]

I backed into a small tree and bent the passenger side of my bumper. It is not bad, so I think it can be bent back. Any tips? I am thinking about taking it to a machine shop with a big press to see if they can do it.

 

[BigPapa]

The metal on these bumpers is pretty thin. You should be able to get it back pretty close to normal with a decent body hammer and dolly. If you don't have one and don't want to buy one, a hammer with a pretty flat head and any good sized piece of metal with a good flat surface, something like an ax head, should work. It will always be visible.



Scott

 

[Rattler]

My wife did this very thing a few years ago on a 97 she had. I constructed to grippers out of some 1/4 x3" flat stock. I bent one end of the flat stock to form a lip that would hang onto the edge of the bumper. Then i simply hooked these to a come-a-long and tree. It came back to straight pretty easy. Randy

 

[DLangford]

Thanks to Big Papa and Rattler for the good advice. I will work on it soon at home, and not go to the machine shop unless all else fails.

BTW, on a related note, I saw a Buckstop rear bumper on a Dodge at the local Lowes store the other day.

The powder coat was flaking off of it, very noticeable. I am not inclined to shell out major money for an aftermarket rear bumper unless it is truly a step up from Mopar.