Hi All:
I purchased a repo rear bumper and new brackets from Rick's for my '68 convertible. When I put it on and look at the car from the sides, the short part that wraps around the side of the car looks like it is pointing down to a certain degree???? Is it suppossed to be perfectly straight and horizontal or is it supposed to go down a small amount. There are buldges on the fender under that part of the bumper but I don't know how the bumper is suppossed to line up with them?? Could I have a bent bumper and/or bracket and if so is there some adjustments that can be made to straighten it out OR is it "ok" the way it is???
Thanks!!!!!!!!!!!
D. Schribert
'68 Convertible

Should be straight. Loosen all the mounts and see if you can get it straight then tighten. If not, tighten the center and have someone pull the end into shape and tighten. Hopefully that will get it.
Roger

Thanks 68
Is it possible the bumper or brackets are bent or is that unlikely????

Thanks 68
Is it possible the bumper or brackets are bent or is that unlikely????

It sounds like you tail panel may be pushed in slightly and the mounting surface for the center mount is out of whack. Like 68rszee said, tighten the center mount and then have someone lift the ends while you tighten them. That may be as close as you are going to get them. If you are careful, you can slightly elongate the side mounting holes upward to allow you to rotate the end mounts.

I had to use a set of repro brackets for my rear bumper also. Got the same results. I used "brass" washers between the bumper and mounts at the bumper bolts to level the bumper. A lot of trial and error time, but when I was finished, it looked good.
THe brackets were loose enough to allow this shimming. It was a pain but it did work. I used brass so they would not rust. Never want to do it again.

Codi:
Thanks!! Looks like I might have to go this route. Can you tell me where I want to put the washers to lift the ends up???? It always helps when someone has been through it once already......

On my 69 I had to loosen all mounting bolts, level the ends and tighten them first. The I shimmed the back brackets so they wouldn't 'twist' while tightening the remaining bolts up. This is a good area to pay attention to detail. It's amazing how many cars ( including mag pics ) that have the ends ****-eyed.

Rick:
So do I tighten down the brackets on the bumper all the way before putting the assembly on the car?? The holes for the brackets on the car are not elongated so I'm not sure how the heck to do this??? What did you shim with?? Should I shim the brackets on the bumper before putting the assembly on the car or do I shim between the brackets and the car as I'm putting the entire assembly on???
Help!

And speaking of detail, I did look at alot of pictures on the web and alot of the cars had bumpers that were crooked, that's whay I wondered if it should be straight or what??
D. Schribert
'68 Convertible

Dschribs you can elongate the side mount holes slightly with a rat tail file or a dremel tool- just be careful not to over do it! I had the same problem on my car since the car took a hit on the bumper some years ago and slightly bent in the tailpan. I wound up tightening the side bolts first to prevent the bumper from twisting, then tightened the others. I need to put in a few shims on mine as well. I would put the shims between the bracket and body of the car (there is reinforcement on the tailpan in these areas).

my repro bumpers are the same way, I just left the side mounts out and bent it up a bit. looks fine.