The steps to replace your car’s bumper may be more complex than you think at first if you aren’t aware of how they have changed over the years. What used to be a simple board or piece of metal bolted onto the front or back is now an advanced and feature-studded component that can contain sensitive electronics, decorative trims, and other components that have to be removed in order to replace the necessary part. Some of the many things that can be found when you go to replace a bumper include, but are not necessarily limited to:
• Electrical wires for headlights or taillights.
• Sensors that trigger airbags.
• Backup camera.
• Air intake valve.
• Lane-change warning sensors.
Even with the increased complexity, it is still possible for DIYers to replace their car bumper by following a simple step by step process. The following is a series of instructions that can help you to replace a damaged bumper. While some steps are geared towards teaching you to replace a front bumper, they are just as applicable towards teaching how to replace a rear bumper as well.
In order to replace your bumpers, the first step is to inspect the old bumper for damage. After all, you don’t want to replace something that doesn’t need to be replaced. If you have a bumper front cover, make sure that you remove it so that you can see the surface beneath. Inspect both the cover and the metal or plastic bumper underneath thoroughly. Make sure to check and see if it has sustained impact damage or some other form of damage that would require the replacement of the part. Look for if your bumper has a dent, or, if it is a plastic bumper, it might have hairline cracks that could result in a lack of structural integrity during a collision. A front bumper that has a dent can sometimes be repaired without the need to get a replacement part, depending on the severity of the dentin question and the location. You may also find that it is merely the bumper front cover that has sustained damage, and that the surface underneath managed to escape harm.
If you find that it does, in fact, need to be replaced, then continue on and find out what needs to be done in order to do the job right. A haphazard repair could result in more damage that goes beyond a simple front bumper dent, resulting in more time and frustration dealing with the problem.
In modern cars, there are a number of components that are located in the front and rear bumpers. In order to replace a bumper, these components must first be removed or disconnected in order to avoid damaging them. At this point in the replacement process, make sure that there are no wires going to the headlights or taillights that would be affected by the removal of the old bumper. If there are any present, make sure to disconnect them carefully.
Once you are ready to remove it, loosen and remove the bracket bolts or mounting bolts that hold it onto the frame. Gently place the damaged bumper on the ground, and go about removing any components that were housed within it. Check that the new bumper is the correct replacement model, in order to ensure the proper fit once it is attached. Take the components that were removed and install them in the new bumper, taking care to avoid damaging any sensitive electronics or sensors. Once all the components have been installed, then the bumper can be reattached using the bracket bolts that were removed earlier. Make sure the bolts are tightened correctly, as per the manufacturer’s instructions.
If you had to disconnect the wiring for headlights or taillights earlier, then make sure to reattach them now and test that they are functioning properly. Make sure that the bumper cover or bumper plates, if you have them, are properly fitted over the front and rear bumpers. Once this is taken care of, you are ready to get back on the road.
Eventually, you will need to replace a damaged or old bumper. When that happens, look no further than Parts Max online parts store to meet all of your bumper parts needs. With an extensive collection of many of the best bumper brands, Parts Max has everything you need to get your repair started right. You can read about our collection of bumper parts and related components here https://partsmax.co/pages/bumpers-components.
Note: This is a general guide meant to be applicable to the general process to replace a front bumper for all vehicles, and may not contain specific information about your make and model.
Whenever working on any vehicle, make sure that you are wearing the appropriate protective gear to reduce the risk of injury while performing the repair.
*Use at your own discretion, this content is for educational purposes only.