1G When to replace bumper absorbers?

[XC92]

I'm overhauling my '92 Talon's rear body including the bumper and noticed that the 2 bumper absorbers are solid, meaning that they don't push in. Are you supposed to be able to push them in like you can with shocks and struts, or are these a lot harder to push in so the fact that I can't do it by hand isn't necessarily bad?

Just wondering how to know when it's time to replace them. A car hit it from behind at very low speed over 20 years ago but I don't know if it damaged these parts, I never thought to check. Are they a one-use part that even if they're pushed in a little bit need to be replaced? Or is age also a factor? And are they even available for purchase, OEM or aftermarket? One Mitsu dealer has them listed as discontinued.

 

[MacMarty15221]

My understanding is that these are stiff one-shot absorbers, so no, they don't articulate like suspension parts. The Factory Service Manual does not give any advice on determining whether one is "used" or not.

If it was me, I'd measure the exposed length at all four corners of your car. They have the same part number, so the lengths should match. If the ones at the back are different, there you are!

 

[XC92]

My understanding is that these are stiff one-shot absorbers, so no, they don't articulate like suspension parts. The Factory Service Manual does not give any advice on determining whether one is "used" or not.

If it was me, I'd measure the exposed length at all four corners of your car. They have the same part number, so the lengths should match. If the ones at the back are different, there you are!

Thanks. I've removed the rear ones and will measure them but will see if I can access and measure the front ones, and if not I'll be removing them soon when I overhaul the front end.

Thing is that it's kind of moot if they're no longer available either OEM or aftermarket. If replacements can't be found and you're rear ended, does that mean that the car is technically totaled since it's not safe to drive?

 

[MacMarty15221]

You've forgotten about the third source, the used parts universe, and most specifically the Classified ads right here. There's a steady stream of people parting cars out. You can post a Wanted to Buy ad here, and be sure of obtaining these parts at a reasonable price.

To my under-informed mind, there seem to several categories of parts:
1) Stuff, especially wear parts, that we can still get as OEM or commercial sources like Rock Auto. New pads, rebuilt brake calipers, etc.
2) "Consumable" stuff that's plentifully available from Classified Ads and partouts, like bumper absorbers.
3) Stuff that's less consumable, but does not often break. Window glass, for example. There lots of base-model cars still out there that we never need to worry. (Nobody's buying 1.8L engines, and those cars can be scavenged for other stuff that's wanted.)
4) Driveline parts - I am told that this is the area where things are getting kinda hard to find. AWD driveline parts, especially, according to RixRacing, one of our sponsors. Anything that the racing/tuner crowd -consumes- (destroys) with high-horsepower builds is going to be more in demand.
5) Unobtanium. Restoration stuff, parts that degrades in the sun gets hard to find. Something as simple as exterior window trim. Can't be had new or as "new old stock". Seats, carpet, interior plastic panels. HEADLIGHTS and taillights: these seem to have a lot of variations, and rare variations bring a good price in the Classifieds.

Perhaps some of of the long-time members will chime in with more-informed thoughts on this.

 

[XC92]

You've forgotten about the third source, the used parts universe, and most specifically the Classified ads right here. There's a steady stream of people parting cars out. You can post a Wanted to Buy ad here, and be sure of obtaining these parts at a reasonable price.

To my under-informed mind, there seem to several categories of parts:
1) Stuff, especially wear parts, that we can still get as OEM or commercial sources like Rock Auto. New pads, rebuilt brake calipers, etc.
2) "Consumable" stuff that's plentifully available from Classified Ads and partouts, like bumper absorbers.
3) Stuff that's less consumable, but does not often break. Window glass, for example. There lots of base-model cars still out there that we never need to worry. (Nobody's buying 1.8L engines, and those cars can be scavenged for other stuff that's wanted.)
4) Driveline parts - I am told that this is the area where things are getting kinda hard to find. AWD driveline parts, especially, according to RixRacing, one of our sponsors. Anything that the racing/tuner crowd -consumes- (destroys) with high-horsepower builds is going to be more in demand.
5) Unobtanium. Restoration stuff, parts that degrades in the sun gets hard to find. Something as simple as exterior window trim. Can't be had new or as "new old stock". Seats, carpet, interior plastic panels. HEADLIGHTS and taillights: these seem to have a lot of variations, and rare variations bring a good price in the Classifieds.

Perhaps some of of the long-time members will chime in with more-informed thoughts on this.

That might work or even be the only option these days for many parts on a 31 year old car, but this is a use once and replace safety-related part and who knows what I'd get in the used market. These are not normal struts that absorb an impact and then reset and cannot be used again after an impact. If they're impacted, you get new or like-new ones.

In any case I ended up cleaning them up and painting them and everything else metal with KBS, and reinstalling them. I might revisit this at some point when I have more information on obtaining replacements that I can verify are new or essentially like new in terms of still being effective to absorb a rear impact, but for now this will have to do.