How can I repair this part of my front bumper

[randizzle420]

my 97-99 bumper's middle part that is between the headlights and goes under the hood is messed up. The part where it bolts down under the hood the holes in the bumper are all broken like someone forcefully pulled the bumper off. Instead of the holes being a full circle they're more a U shape so the bolts could slide out of the U shaped holes if that makes sense. Is there an easy way to repair this? If needed I can post pictures.

 

[YOOOO]

definitely post pictures...I've never heard of anything like this...I'm guessing from what you described you could put a washer in between the bumper and the bolt to hold it in place though

 

[randizzle420]

This wasn't my doing, car came like this. If I can't find a way to repair the holes, I'm going to just use self tapping screws and bolt it down, but if anyone knows a way to fix without using self tapping screws I'd appreciate it.

 

[Napster]

Honestly a good looking black self taping screw would do the trick but sense you dont want to do that here are a couple of other ideas.

1. Drill new holes in between the old one and use some factory hardware.

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

2. cut a piece of plastic or sheet metal that could cover the spot then screw in to all 3 pieces. Basically make a piece of trim that looks nice and covers the bad make new holes

pics is crude but showing my point

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

 

[randizzle420]

Thanks for the ideas, napster. You're probably right, most practical way would be using self tapping screws. Also, does this part of the bumper go over the metal (where the threaded bolt holes are) or under it?

 

[DGajre777]

The plastic part of the bumper goes over the metal where the threaded bolt holes are, then you have another metal trim plate that goes over it. It is called PLATE, FR BUMPER, CTR UPR, part on CAPS is MB908399, PNC 62039.

I had similar issues with my old 1G, IIRC I used superglue to bond thin washers to the plastic bumper to hold it in place between the metal strips.

 

[95talonracer]

You could use larger washers.