This is for my 1998 GSX...

I have just got a new oem front bumper straight from the factory/dealer to replace the aftermarket one that the pervious owner had on.

The bumper I just got from the dealer is missing 3 of the 4 locating tabs (stubs) that stick out on the corners. The two tall ones and one of the short ones.

I didn't notice it till I got it home grrr!!!

The tall ones look like they were broke off before they even primered it and the short one isn't there at all its just a hole...

It was so much of a hassle just to get the bumper and drive out of state to pick it up to save on shipping costs.

I already set up a date to have it painted which is in three days from now (2/17/13)

My question is, do I really need those locating tabs to actually mount the front bumper on or will it not stay in place and look like crap?

Don't want to have to order another bumper but if I have to I will.

Thanks for any help on this.

I might have an idea of what could help. I dont know which tabs you're talking about for sure, but here's my solution to broken tabs

http://m.youtube.com/#/watch?v=R2imOrhPBeo

The two first pictures are what the locating tabs are suspose to look like on each side...

The rest of the pictures are what the new oem front bumper I just got from the factory/dealer looks like one each side:

Thank you for clarifying.

There is a generic clip that you will use instead. Its basically a plastic rivet. Slide in plastic sheathe and a plastic insert peg. (Kind of like this)





You might have to drill the plastic dimple out to get a solid fit all the way around. If the shop is going to paint it this week, ask them what they have for inserts. Ive used the plastic peg style clips with much satisfaction. They'll hold it very strong and unnoticeable.

blindboarder_02 said:

Thank you for clarifying.

There is a generic clip that you will use instead. Its basically a plastic rivet. Slide in plastic sheathe and a plastic insert peg. (Kind of like this)

You must be logged in to view this image or video.

You might have to drill the plastic dimple out to get a solid fit all the way around. If the shop is going to paint it this week, ask them what they have for inserts. Ive used the plastic peg style clips with much satisfaction. They'll hold it very strong and unnoticeable.

Click to expand...

Awesome! Thank you very much! Looks like it will work good. I had an idea similar to it that I was going to try and this is even better.

Do I just pop them in once I get the bumper aligned? What were the originals ones for anyway? Do they just line the bumper up before bolting down or do they actually hold the bumper on to?

Thanxz again

No problem, glad to help


They look like they are used as aligning tabs. To make sure its in spot. You could always take the ones off the old bumper and plastic weld them into the new one. Or have someone at the shop do it. (Maybe a cash incentive)

do you have the metal reinforcement strips that go on either side? they clip on to the underside.

I wouldn't get too hung up on those alignment pins. Every DSM I've owned had one of those two bolts snap off in the fender, forcing me to turn the alignment pin on the bumper into a hole for a new bolt with two washers and a nut. The aligning really happens when you're torquing down the bolts anyways.

Definitely keep those metal brackets or make some out of scrap if you don't have any. They're not required but the fit is so much better with them.

It's good you're figuring this out before painting.

gixrman said:

do you have the metal reinforcement strips that go on either side? they clip on to the underside.

Click to expand...

Yeah I had to get them from a doner bumper pictured here..


The aftermarket one that the previous owner put on that looks stock was missing some things including the metal mount plates...

They forgot a few mounting bolts here and there, some plastic rivets and the metal brackets. Oh and the bottom mounting plate was only half there...

I managed to order some of the parts pretty cheap from the factory the rest I am getting off the doner bumper and what is left on the aftermarket one that are actually for the car, bolts, plastic rivets etc..

Its been kinda of a big headache but its all starting to come together now

Bumper, fog bezels, air inlet going into IC and the air inlet cover all get painted tomorrow (2/19/2013) and the shop is not gonna charge me extra to paint the piece's. Just the bumper cover for $200 with warranty. Plus I'm saving some money by installing it myself of course.

Now the question is do I go with the new chrome emblem I ordered for it or do a black chrome paint on on the emblem. My car is black so I am worried that it will get lost, but I do love black chrome. I dunno the chrome looks good to.

I will post a picture of bumper when its all done and what it looked like before with the broken piece off of it. Here is a piece..


Until then this is what the aftermarket one looked like before it broke. The pictures are from after I did a headlight restoration First picture is in the shade the other with the sun beaming down on it, and kinda dirty

Stapl3 said:

I wouldn't get too hung up on those alignment pins. Every DSM I've owned had one of those two bolts snap off in the fender, forcing me to turn the alignment pin on the bumper into a hole for a new bolt with two washers and a nut. The aligning really happens when you're torquing down the bolts anyways.

Definitely keep those metal brackets or make some out of scrap if you don't have any. They're not required but the fit is so much better with them.

It's good you're figuring this out before painting.

Click to expand...

Yeah I am glad I figured it all out to before painting to, I'm just gonna drill out where the locating tabs are suspose to be and insert rivets that will do it good for what its needs to do and you are right it is just to kinda align it before bolting it all down. Thats what really holds the bumper in on the corners.

Thanxz again for everyones help.

Can't wait to start building up my Evil GSX and posting the story and how its going here. I have learned so much already by just surfing around this forum. This is the only time I have ever had to actually post a thread cause I usually found what I was looking for. Seems to be an answer to everything here. Its awesome!

The crome and red, stock or the black crome would be my choice.

gixrman said:

The crome and red, stock or the black crome would be my choice.

Click to expand...

Just got it yesterday and I do think I am going to go with the black chrome. I will post a picture to show you how it turns out and how it looks on the newly painted bumper to.

I think the black and chrome would look pretty sweet

Well I was finally able to get a saturday off and finish the install of my new bumper on GSX.

Here it is before with all new hardware, painted and I went ahead and had the fog bezels and air inlet plate painted to match by the shop.


I also decided (after I got bumper back from paint ) since I had them off I went ahead and painted the side markers to match bumper. They should of never put those on the car. When I have the extra money and time I plan on just shaving them out completly

Here is a pix showing the side markers, also I havent got around to painting new emblem black chrome yet. Try to finish that tomorrow. Will post pix of it.


You can also see in the picture to where I am in the process of removing the stupid pinstrip that came on the car when i got it.

The bumper wasent to bad to get off or put on just had to fix a lot of broken bolts from previous owner and figure out what was missing. The new bumper is still brand new so it still has some break in time to do. still alittle saggy just under the headlights. Here in these pix you can see it, not bad but I notice it.




I had to bend the hell out of it just to get it to fit cause of it being brand new and not broken in.

Just Another pix

What are the white clips on the bottom there, on the first picture?

sccrbrandon4788 said:

What are the white clips on the bottom there, on the first picture?

Click to expand...

Those are actually new stainless steel bolts and washers for the bottom mount plate. There was only two! bolts left from the previous owners bumper so I got all new bolts and washers to fit.

Oh ok. I haven't messed with mine since replacing the bumper. My RS had a body kit on it when I got it, so the support is rusted and broken bolts rusted in the nuts. I'll probably have to drill them out and maybe just use some of those push tabs mentioned earlier in the thread.

I like duct inserts painted black, I think if I painted mine red, it might be too much. I'm not sure what to do with them yet.

sccrbrandon4788 said:

Oh ok. I haven't messed with mine since replacing the bumper. My RS had a body kit on it when I got it, so the support is rusted and broken bolts rusted in the nuts. I'll probably have to drill them out and maybe just use some of those push tabs mentioned earlier in the thread.

I like duct inserts painted black, I think if I painted mine red, it might be too much. I'm not sure what to do with them yet.

Click to expand...

My bottom mount plate was just like that, freakin' horrible! Just do like I did and order a new plate OEM, be better in the long run. They are only like $26. If you need to get some new bolts and washers let me know and I will post what you need that fits.

If you get the perfect match system by duplicolor for your cars color it should look good if done right or do the inserts and the fog bezels in black that would look great to

In my case I am blacking out pretty much everything on my car hinse the name "Evil98GSX"

I plan on having my FMIC anodized black also when I get it, its gonna look sweet

Evil98GSX said:

I plan on having my FMIC anodized black also when I get it, its gonna look sweet

Click to expand...

A heat dissipating coating would be a better choice. There's been a discussion about anodizing IC before and it will fad over time.

Evil98GSX said:

My bottom mount plate was just like that, freakin' horrible! Just do like I did and order a new plate OEM, be better in the long run. They are only like $26. If you need to get some new bolts and washers let me know and I will post what you need that fits.

If you get the perfect match system by duplicolor for your cars color it should look good if done right or do the inserts and the fog bezels in black that would look great to

In my case I am blacking out pretty much everything on my car hinse the name "Evil98GSX"

I plan on having my FMIC anodized black also when I get it, its gonna look sweet

Click to expand...

My car was once black... but looked like sh*t because of some yahoo not doing a good job. So I sanded it down and painted it red, like it originally was.

Your's looks very nice though. I like the blacked out look.