99-04 Mustang front bumper

lcurle · 07-24-2005

After some research and some installations on a few mustangs we have noticed a continuing problem with the front bumper mounting system on the 99-04 mustangs. Where the bumper meets up with the side bracket on the car, there is a flimsy piece of plastic that has some threaded studs that holds the front bumper on. These peices are at a 45 degree angle and are secured with two nuts on either side of the bumper. These brackets are thin and if flexed to much they will start to crack and eventually break. The reasoning behind this is becuase the extreme angle of the plastic and the amount of torque that ford puts on the bracket in order to hold the bumper in place.

The bracket is attached to the bumper through a series of three rivets and some metal that have plastic reinforcements that are also flimsy. The main area where these brackets break off is at the plastic peices that are riveted to the metal. They are about 3/4" wide and about 1/16" thick.

The Fix, get a small peice of sheet metal and using your hands of a vice bend a new complete bracket that you can rivet to the inside of your bumper for a more secure hold and less likely to break aparts when installing or removing your front bumper.

ShadowFist · 07-25-2005

Any suggestions for a '96? It looks like before I purchased mine it was in an accident of sorts and now the bumper sits at a slight downward angle (Far enough down that high beams are required 100% of the time because normals only shine a good 20-30 ft in front of the vehicle). The entire bumper can be easily moved by simply lifting on the bottom (Its pretty loose). The top plastic molding that attaches to the bumper via the threaded studs is broken for all the stud locations, and is a good 1-1.5 inches lower than the molding.

Any suggestions? My father and I were going to take it apart one weekend to see what was needed. I was hoping to avoid taking it to a shop if we could perform any fixes ourselves.

lcurle · 07-25-2005

This may seem kinda backyards but stop by your local auto supply shop and pick up some JB Weld (greatest invention) Take off the bumper and find out if the crease in the plastic where the studs are, has broken off or near breaking. You can reuse those mounts by mixing the JB Weld together and coting the entire plastic retainers in it for a strong hold. I would reinforce each one for safe measure. Let it cure, then put the bumper back on. You can sand chisle do whatever to the JB Weld after it is fully cured.

ShadowFist · 07-25-2005

Will do. And we already used some JB weld last week, and we have plenty left :thumbsup

ShadowFist · 09-17-2005

My dad and I are going to take off the bumper tomorrow (well, later today since its 2A.M.). Are the instructions in a standard Chilton's book, and are there any special steps that we should be aware of?

lcurle · 09-17-2005

should be in the chilton book, pretty simple to take off, four nuts( 2 on each side under the fenderwell cover) and two plastic retainers on top, and two on the bottom, then pull it off.