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Rear Bumper Pushed In -- Need Cheap Fix

DougOhio

By DougOhio
in Troubleshooting & Recalls

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DougOhio Enthusiast

DougOhio

Posted
Posted

My rear bumper on the passenger side was impacted today and pushed in the bumper. There is also Slight dent in chrome but that can be massaged out I am pretty sure. When you look closely you can tell the clearance between the bumper and the bed is out of alignment with the the driver's side by approx 1/2". My goal is to do it on the cheap. I have checked all the sites and saw where pulling the bumper is a royal P.I.T.A. Can the bumper be pulled out with a come-along winch? Pried back into place with a pry bar or a wedged back into place with a spud bar? Hammer the bracket back into place with a 2x4...anyone with experience with repositioning these bumpers??? I can't post a pic because of software limitations on this stupid iPad. Please give me your thoughts.

pm26 Senior Enthusiast

pm26

Posted
Posted

If I remember correctly, starting with the 2007 models, these bumpers became so flimsy that if bent, people just straightened them out with their hands by pulling on the bent part..

 

To get a ding out of the chromed part, I would remove the bumper and use a shop press between two blocks of wood on either side to slowly push it out. Do not try to hammer on it, you will only make it worse.

DougOhio Enthusiast

DougOhio

Posted
  • Author
Posted

If I remember correctly, starting with the 2007 models, these bumpers became so flimsy that if bent, people just straightened them out with their hands by pulling on the bent part..

 

To get a ding out of the chromed part, I would remove the bumper and use a shop press between two blocks of wood on either side to slowly push it out. Do not try to hammer on it, you will only make it worse.

 

thanks pm26 for that advice. I will have to get some more muscle. I thought there might be a mounting bracket that might need a whack or two with a mallet.
pm26 Senior Enthusiast

pm26

Posted
Posted

If you suspect that one of the mounting brackets is bent, then remove the bumper for sure and inspect everything. What I suggested was for minor distortions of the bumper itself (like one end of it bent in slightly) that could often be "corrected" by pulling on one side of the bumper. If a bracket is bent, that could be straightened by hammering because you cannot see it after you remount the bumper, but it is always better to remove the bumper first. I just cautioned you on not hammering on the chromed part of the bumper, but using a press to push out the ding in the chrome.

DougOhio Enthusiast

DougOhio

Posted
  • Author
Posted

If you suspect that one of the mounting brackets is bent, then remove the bumper for sure and inspect everything. What I suggested was for minor distortions of the bumper itself (like one end of it bent in slightly) that could often be "corrected" by pulling on one side of the bumper. If a bracket is bent, that could be straightened by hammering because you cannot see it after you remount the bumper, but it is always better to remove the bumper first. I just cautioned you on not hammering on the chromed part of the bumper, but using a press to push out the ding in the chrome.

omG! I watched a video last night on pulling off this bumper. Approx 12 bolts hidden every nook and cranny you can imagine. After all bolts are off Then you have to JACK UP the bed to get enough clearance to pull off the bumper. It's an absolute nightmare. I will chain this stupid thing to a tree before I try pulling the bumper.
pm26 Senior Enthusiast

pm26

Posted
Posted

omG! I watched a video last night on pulling off this bumper. Approx 12 bolts hidden every nook and cranny you can imagine. After all bolts are off Then you have to JACK UP the bed to get enough clearance to pull off the bumper. It's an absolute nightmare. I will chain this stupid thing to a tree before I try pulling the bumper.

Whatever you do, be careful that you do not go too far and bend the whole bumper outward. I would not recommend using a heavy duty chain and a bulldozer to pull it out.

Rewillia Enthusiast

Rewillia

Posted
Posted

If me, I'd take it to a professional body shop and ask them if they think it can be pulled back out without removing it. Then if they say yes, see what they'll charge to do it. May be 1-hr labor or something like that I'd be willing to pay. At least they'd have the tools/equipment and experience to do it.

DougOhio Enthusiast

DougOhio

Posted
  • Author
Posted

If me, I'd take it to a professional body shop and ask them if they think it can be pulled back out without removing it. Then if they say yes, see what they'll charge to do it. May be 1-hr labor or something like that I'd be willing to pay. At least they'd have the tools/equipment and experience to do it.

Very good suggestion! My guess is they have a hydraulic wedge tool that is designed to do the job.
Silverado-Hareek Senior Enthusiast

Silverado-Hareek

Posted
Posted

If I remember correctly, starting with the 2007 models, these bumpers became so flimsy that if bent, people just straightened them out with their hands by pulling on the bent part..

 

To get a ding out of the chromed part, I would remove the bumper and use a shop press between two blocks of wood on either side to slowly push it out. Do not try to hammer on it, you will only make it worse.

 

Yep I did this on my 2007. I backed into the guardrail at the dump and pushed the bumper in about 1/2" to 1" and my cousin helped me pull it right back out.

sahls01gmc Senior Enthusiast

sahls01gmc

Posted
Posted

I would not recommend using a heavy duty chain and a bulldozer to pull it out.

How about a light duty chain and a F.O.R.D. ? Either one should break before the bumper gets worse....

Silverado-Hareek Senior Enthusiast

Silverado-Hareek

Posted
Posted

Just to clarify, when I say "pull it right back out" I mean we each grabbed the bumper with our hands and pulled until it was straight again.

DougOhio Enthusiast

DougOhio

Posted
  • Author
Posted

Just to clarify, when I say "pull it right back out" I mean we each grabbed the bumper with our hands and pulled until it was straight again.

thanks...and I hope that's all it needs...now i just need someone with a back stronger than mine to kick some *ss on this bumper.

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