Front bumper come adrift - how to re-attach?

[Chris71]

I went into the garage yesterday and discovered the rubbing strip (or whatever its called) on the right hand front bumper has randomly detached itself overnight. It looks like the glues just given up.



Is it just a case of spreading some more glue on the mating surfgaces and pushing it back? If so, can anybody recommend what type of glue I should use?

Many thanks.

Please excuse the state of the bonnet, I didn't realise it was quite that mucky.

[Barkychoc]

I would use evo stick impact adhesive - that doesn't necessarily mean its the best thing to use.
I think that it may be possible to ge a flat metal bit that slides inside the rubber bit with a threaded part that goes through the body to be bolted on inder the bonnet. Probably worh having a word wth somewhere like woolies trim (see useful links).
If not a great big washer (wickes do them) and bolt might help.

Now of course if you'd had a proper indicator that wouldn't have happened!

[mep12345]

There was a thread on this last year sometime (I can't do a search from work) where someone posted that B&Q stock a metal strip that replaces the OEM metal strip perfectly. You need to match this strip add a few bolts and washers and then re-insert. The original securing screws/nuts and bolts are, IIRC, accessible from inside the bonnet.

If you just "stick it in" it will do as a temporary job, but replacing the (probably) corroded metal strip is the long term answer.

HTH

Mark

[Chris71]

Hi guys,

Thanks for that. I didn't inspect it to carefully as I was on my way out when I saw it, but I can't say I remember any metal strip being involved currently? Will take a better look tonight. Hoping to get it done before the weekend though, so I might have to affect a temporary repair with some Evo Stick.

[sparkypete]

All i did was to cut some galv trunking lid up into strips wide enough to slide into the rubber, though any light weight sheet metal will do, I then secured them to the car using "Tex screws which are basically a large self tapping screw with a hex head powered in using a batt drill.

Job done

Pete

[johnnywgk]

easy just buy some origenal indicators hehe

bet this turns into one of those threads when the horrible members
post piccys of there shiny new boxed indicators

[ketvrin]

johnnywgk said:

easy just buy some origenal indicators hehe

bet this turns into one of those threads when the horrible members
post piccys of there shiny new boxed indicators

Nope ! I'm not taking mine out of the box to photo

[Gerald-TVR]

ketvrin said:

johnnywgk said:

easy just buy some origenal indicators hehe

bet this turns into one of those threads when the horrible members
post piccys of there shiny new boxed indicators

Nope ! I'm not taking mine out of the box to photo

Will a photo of the box do!!

For a temprorary repair i used number plate attachment double sided sticky pads

[Chris71]

I'm lost - do the original indicators clamp the bumper in or something?

It definitely looks like it's been glued before, presumably doing so again won't do any harm?

[ketvrin]

Chris71 said:

I'm lost - do the original indicators clamp the bumper in or something?

It definitely looks like it's been glued before, presumably doing so again won't do any harm?

yes the "flange" on the original lenses cover the edge of the rubber trim and should keep it in place... in reality most people who have new lenses are scared to put them on as tightening them down to retain the bumper is when many of them crack... that and the prospect of making a fortune when they re-sell them in retirement

K

ps you'll have to keep your car now Chris

[Chris71]

ketvrin said:

ps you'll have to keep your car now Chris

Actually it's funny you say that. Just been looking at my local motor club's sprint gallery and it's full of TVRs. I thought it'd be ultra-light Lotus Seven clones left right and centre.

Either way, I certainly wouldn't sell it until I have the strip reattached.

[Jed-S]

Chris71 said:

I'm lost - do the original indicators clamp the bumper in or something?

It definitely looks like it's been glued before, presumably doing so again won't do any harm?

No - the original indicators just cover the end making it look neat. There should be a metal strip in the rubber insert and this is bolted through the body. You probably won't find it because it has long since corroded to nothing. I found a few traces of flaky rust and red powdercoat in mine so had to do a bodge to keep it in place that involved a self tapper.... That was before I made some inserts to finish it off.

[Chris71]

My experiments last night suceeded only in coating me in Evostick.

It's okay along most of the length, but for the last couple of inches there's simply nothing to glue it to - the normal position seems to sit proud of anything solid. The glue held it to that point and then the elasticity caused it to ping off again. Twice. I wasn't amused.

So, any other ideas (barring remortgaging the girlfriend for an original set)?

I can see the ridge where the metal insert presumably once went and it looks like there's some sort of boss under the remnants of the glue on the bonnet side. Are you supposed to screw something through from the engine bay side to pick up on the insert?

And my next question... what holds the bumper on at the other end (by the wheel arch)? I'm supposed to be taking the car all over the place in the next week or so and if it's going to be a more involved job perhaps I should take the whole thing off?

[ketvrin]

Jed-S said:

I made some inserts to finish it off.

that looks neat Jed how did you make them ?

K

[pies]

mep12345 said:

There was a thread on this last year sometime (I can't do a search from work) where someone posted that B&Q stock a metal strip that replaces the OEM metal strip perfectly. You need to match this strip add a few bolts and washers and then re-insert. The original securing screws/nuts and bolts are, IIRC, accessible from inside the bonnet.


HTH

Mark

Twas me

Warning best to do the other one as mine failed a few weeks apart

[Chris71]

pies said:

mep12345 said:

There was a thread on this last year sometime (I can't do a search from work) where someone posted that B&Q stock a metal strip that replaces the OEM metal strip perfectly. You need to match this strip add a few bolts and washers and then re-insert. The original securing screws/nuts and bolts are, IIRC, accessible from inside the bonnet.


HTH

Mark

Twas me

Warning best to do the other one as mine failed a few weeks apart

Doh, so that's my other option looking shakey. Any more?

[Elfit]

If all else fails!!!

http://tinyurl.com/d98f68

Cheers
Tim

Edited by Elfit on Tuesday 28th April 15:11

[bigburd]

Gaffer Tape is the age old favourite...No More Nails...

[pies]

Chris71 said:

pies said:

mep12345 said:

There was a thread on this last year sometime (I can't do a search from work) where someone posted that B&Q stock a metal strip that replaces the OEM metal strip perfectly. You need to match this strip add a few bolts and washers and then re-insert. The original securing screws/nuts and bolts are, IIRC, accessible from inside the bonnet.


HTH

Mark

Twas me

Warning best to do the other one as mine failed a few weeks apart

Doh, so that's my other option looking shakey. Any more?

Its simple enough to do you only need a hacksaw

[Glassman]

Chris. You have my number. Call me. This jobs calls for some polyurethane. I'm free all day tomorrow from about 10am.