Missing hardware bumper to fender mounting. (Page 1/2)
87fiero2017 MAR 26, 01:57 PM
So in progress of installing my new marker lenses since car had none when I got it. The rear bumper sags on both quarter panels. I noticed I'm missing hardware. Chiltons says bolts are suppose to be there. Anybody know size or type? Also the front bumper to fender seems to be missing hardware behind marker lenses. Any help would be great
87fiero2017 MAR 26, 09:38 PM
If anyone got pics of there marker lenses off that may help me a bit
olejoedad MAR 27, 07:00 AM
The rear cover attaches to the rear clip using two 7mm head bolts, similar to to the bolts used
everywhere else in the car, two on each side.
Patrick MAR 27, 01:39 PM

quote
Originally posted by 87fiero2017:

The rear bumper sags on both quarter panels. I noticed I'm missing hardware.



I'm not exactly sure what you're referring to, but do you have the rear bumper support adjusted properly? My '88 Formula uses a rigid plastic "shelf", but the earlier years use a relatively flimsy sheet metal one that tends to bend down at each end. It helps to bend the ends back up for a bit of additional support.
olejoedad MAR 27, 02:44 PM
I wonder why your shelf below the taillights is plastic?
Patrick MAR 27, 03:06 PM

quote
Originally posted by olejoedad:

I wonder why your shelf below the taillights is plastic?



I don't know if Pontiac updated the design for all 88's or what, but the plastic rear bumper support my Formula has is definitely more skookum than the flimsy stamped sheet metal units used on earlier models.

[EDIT] As mentioned in later posts, it appears '86 might've been the last year for the "flimsy" metal version before it was improved.

[This message has been edited by Patrick (edited 03-27-2019).]

Orig88GT-NC MAR 27, 05:57 PM

quote
Originally posted by Patrick:
I'm not exactly sure what you're referring to, but do you have the rear bumper support adjusted properly? My '88 Formula uses a rigid plastic "shelf", but the earlier years use a relatively flimsy sheet metal one that tends to bend down at each end. It helps to bend the ends back up for a bit of additional support.


Interesting "'88 Formula uses a rigid plastic shelf"..My 88 GT has a Galvanized coated Steel shelf..pretty robust.



**I think I missed what year and model the OP was referring to, I think there are slightly different mountings between models.
Patrick MAR 27, 07:53 PM

quote
Originally posted by Orig88GT-NC:

My 88 GT has a Galvanized coated Steel shelf..pretty robust.



Hmmm... I can't tell very well from the picture (although it's a good shot), but that appears to be more robust than the metal shelf used on earlier years. I wonder if it's possible in '88 that the notchies/Formulas got the new plastic shelf and the GT's got an improved metal one?

[This message has been edited by Patrick (edited 03-27-2019).]

Patrick MAR 27, 10:10 PM
As it turns out, I only had to go into my backyard to answer some of my own concerns.

Pictured below is the rear bumper support on an '86 GT. The metal has evidence of corrosion, and it's quite flimsy... easily bent by hand. It's the same as the one on my '84. I also have a base model '87, and it's rear bumper support is metal as well... but it's not corroded, not flimsy, and not able to be easily bent. I didn't take a picture of it, but I suspect it's exactly the same as the one on the '88 GT pictured by Orig88GT-NC above.




So it would appear that there are at least two different types ('84-'86 and '87-'88) of metal rear bumper supports (the later one stronger than the earlier version) and at least one plastic version. I didn't mention it earlier, but I also found the plastic rear bumper support on an '88 base model... so possibly it's found on all non-GT 88's.

[This message has been edited by Patrick (edited 03-27-2019).]

87fiero2017 MAR 27, 10:11 PM
Ok good info guys. Thanks for the help. Ill remove my bumper and take a look at the shelf. Those 7 mm bolts ill hunt down and looks like ill have to repair the fiberglass there too. Thanks again. Trying to get mine on the road for the first time