So I was driving on the highway in the morning, last week. Nearing my exit, I made a lane change from left lane to center lane. In the middle of that lane change, I see a wooden chair (Or some other rather large wooden object) sitting in between the lanes. It was already a few meters away, and the best I could do is partially avoid it, hitting (or rather, pulverizing it) it on the driver side front bumper.

Luckily nobody was injured, but the bumper suffered some damages. There’s a couple of scratches that should go away with the next wax application, but this morning I noticed that there is also a 1-2 inch long crack in a section of the bumper which is not really visible unless you lay down on he ground to observe it (directly above the foglight, facing the ground)

The last thing I want to happen is for that crack to get longer and longer (and thus visible). Is there anything I can do to stop any eventual progress? Since the crack is currently not visible, I don’t mind unsightly fixes.


Thanks,
-Mat

 

Man you're lucky. I got hit with a small chuck of tire debris and did some serious scratching to both the bumper and passenger headlight. Dealer quote to fix it was nearly $1500.

New bumper + paint alone is $800. I wish I could help with crack though. Maybe duct tape it from the other side?

 

Yeah, I sort of got lucky

I did get a quote for 800$ of repairs, but there's no way I'm paying this for something you can't see - and even then, I'd probably fetch a completely new, nicer bumper before paying that much in repairs only.

Duct tape fix is probably what I'll end up doing if it can help. I guess my main question is: can these cracks grow longer with time/road vibration?

-Mat

 

Maybe invest in the appearance package lip. This way, it would fit over your crack and maybe offer the bumper some more stability/rigidity.

 

^ that wouldn't work if the crack is above the foglight. I would just suggest you get something to hold it together for now and maybe invest in a new bumper (maybe even aftermarket) down the road.

I also hit an object while switching lanes, it was a tire. took out my front splash shield on drivers side and two very small chips near my clear corners (because it pushed my bumper before going under). I have an aftermarket front so... I'm just planning to get it fixed up down the line.

 

To do this right you would have to remove the bumper. Take a few large paperclips and cut them up into half inch pieces. Then take a soldering iron, with the pieces laying on the backside, across the whole lenght of the crack ( like stitches ) heat each piece individually untill it melts half way through into the bumper. Be carefull not to leave the iron on it too long, as it will go all the way through. Besure to work from the top of the crack to the end ( by the "top" i mean where it is not cracking yet ) and press the crack together as you work your way down. Crazy glue helps in this aplication, but watch your eyes as the fumes from heated Crazy glue will sting your eyes! I have used this method a zillion times will outstanding results on many plastic panels. If done right it should be unnoticable. Good Luck!

 

yup, initially when I read where the crack was, I was thinking below the fog light. Now that I reread the post, I see that the crack is above the light. My idea wouldn't work...sorry bout that.

 

That sounds like a great idea. And then cover the repairs in duct tape.

(sorry, I live in the south, and it's illegal here to fix something without using duct tape)

 

^^^^HAHAHAHAHHHHH!!! thats funny!

 

Maybe not the best looking(but most effective) solution is to drill a hole at each end of the crack. No more cracking. I got backed into 2 days after I put my MS front bumper on(Hit and Run ), and I unfortunately had 2 cracks. But there was no way is was buying another MS bumper, so it's going to get repaired after winter is over and the roads get cleaned. But anyways, drill the holes, your bodyshop will be able to fill them in. Also, make sure that your bodyshop uses binding and filling materials especially for the material our bumpers are made of because they expand/contract at different rates, especially on darker color cars that attract more heat. Best of luck.