66 Right Front Bumper Bracket Bent

[Rich G.]

Some numbskull backed into my 66 this morning. The only damage was the outer bracket, the one attached to the bumper and that bolts through the body, is bent. Instead of having square corners it's more like a trapezoid.

Question: Can this be straightened? I tried a bit with clamps and steel bars and such with no luck. I don't think I can use heat because of the chrome, right? (I can't post pictures here but could email to somebody if they want to see it)

I'm surprised there was no body damage where the bolt for that bracket goes through the fiberglass.

Thanks
Rich

[Tim G.]

Re: 66 Right Front Bumper Bracket Bent

I've got a big vice that is not attached to my work bench. I've covered the jaws with cloth and tightened the vice on the bracket while installed to get the brackets straight without removing the bumpers. I do a final "reverse bend" with three small pieces of wood (two on one side and one in the middle of the bend) to get the final over-bend and get the bracket completely straight. I've done this with great success on original cars that shouldn't have the bumpers removed.

[Tim G.]

Re: 66 Right Front Bumper Bracket Bent

Hope I didn't tell you how to fix the wrong bracket.

[Rich G.]

Re: 66 Right Front Bumper Bracket Bent

Thanks Tim. I think what you're talking about is not the one I have. Mine is the U bracket which is welded to the bumper and bolts through the body at the curved end.

Rich

[Russ S.]

Re: 66 Right Front Bumper Bracket Bent

You are best off removing the bumper and then straightening the bracket with the aid of a vise and or blocks.

[Rich G.]

Re: 66 Right Front Bumper Bracket Bent

Russ

Thanks. I do have the bumper of and was not able to do anything with a vice and other implements of destruction. I left it with a shop I know that MIGHT be able to work it out.

I'll let you guys know if it works or when my new bumper is coming. :-)

Rich

[Rich G.]

Re: 66 Right Front Bumper Bracket Bent

The shop managed to straighten the bracket on the bumper well enough so I could get it back on in the proper place.

All is right with in the world, for the moment.

Thanks for the advice.

Rich