Need HELP Question with front fascia support installation

[1batt4u]

I Need some help with proper installation of the front fascia. I am confused how the support piece goes on.

1. The fiberglass support bracket with metal strip on top of it, as pictured in pic #1, does fascia sit on top of it. Pic #2 is a reference of what I am talking about, fascia and support bracket are off the car.

or

2. Is the metal strip supposed to be in that space, Pics #3. Metal strip inside space, as seen in Pic #4. With metal strip in that space and fiberglass support bracket under as seen in Pic #5?? At first I thought thats how it is supposed to be, but doubting it now. Could be wrong though.


http://i65.tinypic.com/178q2r.jpg

http://i68.tinypic.com/2iiewps.jpg

http://i68.tinypic.com/fonpud.jpg

http://i68.tinypic.com/34rxcfa.jpg

http://i68.tinypic.com/jfzrtd.jpg

[Jonathan]

Someone shared this schematic at one point. Does this help?

47873

[1batt4u]

Sorry to say, it doesn't help.

I'll see what DMCH replies with,, or what others who worked on this have to say.

Thank you!

[tommyrich]

The metal bracket sits inside the slot of the fascia. It acts as a clamp to hold the top of the fascia to the nose of the car. It has been a while since I installed a fascia, but I remember putting all of the nuts on the bottom, then aligning the fascia properly before tightening them to clamp the fascia in place.
Tom

[DMC-81]

The metal bracket sits inside the slot of the fascia. It acts as a clamp to hold the top of the fascia to the nose of the car. It has been a while since I installed a fascia, but I remember putting all of the nuts on the bottom, then aligning the fascia properly before tightening them to clamp the fascia in place.
Tom

Hi Billy,

Agreed. ^ This is how it works. Here's a couple of marked up pics to illustrate...

The metal strip/ bracket fits in here on the fascia..
47886
(Ignore the clamps as I was installing my brow bars in this pic)

Then the fiberglass fascia reinforcement panel (105678 ) is applied..

47887
(I'm not sure if the metal strip is oriented correctly in the pic but it's curve will tell young its wrong.)

Then you can put the washers and M6 nuts on....
47888

I found that there was no play between the fiberglass panel and the fascia so I tightened those 13 nuts before installing the fascia on the car. But, as mentioned above, you can align the fiberglass support before tightening those (7?) screws onto the car.

[DMCMW Dave]

The metal bracket sits inside the slot of the fascia. It acts as a clamp to hold the top of the fascia to the nose of the car. It has been a while since I installed a fascia, but I remember putting all of the nuts on the bottom, then aligning the fascia properly before tightening them to clamp the fascia in place.
Tom

Yes - still have not seen a good photo posted but the description is correct. Slide the metal strip into the slot on the fascia so that the studs protrude thru the slots. Then attach the fascia to the reinforcement fiberglass strip using washers and nuts.

NOTE - the replacement fiberglass facias now sold have all this molded in one piece, so that the metal strip and the separate fiberglass reinforcement are no longer used at all.

[1batt4u]

Thank you for the reply guys! I guess I will have to open up those spaces on the bumper so the metal bracket studs can fit properly in there. Weird how it was in there before I had removed everything.

[DMC-81]

Yes - still have not seen a good photo posted but the description is correct. Slide the metal strip into the slot on the fascia so that the studs protrude thru the slots. Then attach the fascia to the reinforcement fiberglass strip using washers and nuts.

NOTE - the replacement fiberglass facias now sold have all this molded in one piece, so that the metal strip and the separate fiberglass reinforcement are no longer used at all.

Sorry Dave, I didn't take a picture with the metal strip in the slot during that phase of my project. :(

As I reviewed Billy's pictures again this one is almost right, correct? The metal strip just needs to be moved over and down snug in the slot.

47889

[DMC-81]

Thank you for the reply guys! I guess I will have to open up those spaces on the bumper so the metal bracket studs can fit properly in there. Weird how it was in there before I had removed everything.

I wouldn't cut the fascia just yet. I remember having to finagle the strip in there starting at one end and working my way down to the other end.

Also, make sure the strip doesn't have to be to rotated the othe way to make the studs line up. The curve in it should make it obvious.

[Rich_NYS]

Is the strip original equipment? I had my front fascia apart a few years ago but don't recall what [I think] I'm seeing here....plus, some of the pics are a bit confusing.

[Jonathan]

Sorry to say, it doesn't help.

I'll see what DMCH replies with,, or what others who worked on this have to say.

Thank you!

No sweat.

Seeing what you were working on, I was hoping Dana would chime in. And he did, so you're in good hands.

[Rich_NYS]

I really wanted to help with this one & started going through my pics, but got myself increasingly confused.

Does this pic show the studs on the metal strip (behind the plate) of what's being discussed?

47897



If I'm catching on, I guess it's as simple as:
- a metal strip w/studs, fitted into a slot (like Tom said,) then a fiberglass reinforcement plate over it, then washers & nuts.

I didn't remember seeing that strip because I never fully disassembled the fascia. I do remember doing the same as Tom; I got things adjusted well, then tightened the nuts.

BTW, I'm looking into having the Russians hack into pic-master Dana's computer....lotta good stuff in there! lol

[DMCMW Dave]

If I'm catching on, I guess it's as simple as:
- a metal strip w/studs, fitted into a slot (like Tom said,) then a fiberglass reinforcement plate over it, then washers & nuts.



Exactly. The metal strip will really only fit into the fascia one way due to the studs and the way it curves.

[Mark D]

Someone shared this schematic at one point. Does this help?

47873

HAHA! I made that a long time ago, that's great someone saved it. It only really shows the lower part of the fascia and how the rock screen, chin spoiler, and related parts stack up together. I didn't include any of the upper parts for the fascia mounting.

Sounds like you guys figured it out already though. 8)

[1batt4u]

So I was playing around with the bracket for about half an hour. The bracket with studs doesn't align right. Anyone have/had same problem? Middle stud is centered, I took pictures starting from one side to another. As you can see the studs on end won't fit in.

The bracket is also visible on the edge of the bumper when looking from the top of it. Can it be seen when everything is installed? Bottom picture I posted is of someone's car, I can't really see any bracket visible.


http://i67.tinypic.com/jij5u9.jpg

http://i65.tinypic.com/ela53m.jpg

http://i63.tinypic.com/5dnz9f.jpg

http://i67.tinypic.com/244wlfq.jpg

http://i68.tinypic.com/a4n4vt.jpg

http://i68.tinypic.com/2sbprlx.jpg

[DMC-81]

Hi Billy,

I remember seeing the same problem at first when I lined my bracket up like your first picture. My solution was fitting one end of the metal bracket down in the slot, at a slight angle (per exaggerated illustration). Then I pushed the bracket down onto the second hole, while pulling/pushing the bracket to make it line up with the second hole (notice that some of the holes are wider than the stud to allow for this adjustment). After 2 or 3 holes, it slid fairly easily into the rest of them, and when it was fully installed, there was no back and forth play.

47939

Also, the bracket is flimsy so I had to straighten it some as I must have bent it slightly during removal.

And, in my best Forrest Gump voice...." That's all I can say about that". :)

I hope you can get it installed....it must be frustrating. Good luck!

[1batt4u]

I already tried doing that, put it in one and and working to the other, it was kinda hard, since bumper is not as flexible as I thought. I didn't want to force anything because, I paid $1,500 to have front and rear fascias painted. Don't wanna damage anything. I though it would cost maybe tops $1,000 to have them painted, came out to $1,500.

[SS Spoiler]

Like Seinfeld said "shrinkage!" it looks like our bumpers
get smaller as they age. Possible to heat it up so the notches
line up?

[DMCMW Dave]

Like Seinfeld said "shrinkage!" it looks like our bumpers
get smaller as they age. Possible to heat it up so the notches
line up?

Since this particular shrinkage is caused by heat, I don't see how heating it any more will help the situation.

You see this only on weathered cars, the always indoor garage queens generally don't have the problem.