All About Car Rear Bumper Bracket & Retainer
What Is Rear Bumper Bracket & Retainer?
A
Rear Bumper Bracket is usually a metal mount that helps to join the bumper to
the vehicle frame. Initially, it was designed as exposed metal support that
holds the bumper in place. In the present day, Rear Bumper Brackets are
considered as a concealed feature, and it is designed to absorb low-speed
impact and help in redistributing the collision energy away from the passenger
cabin.
Where Is Rear Bumper Bracket & Retainer Located?
You
will find the Rear Bumper Bracket on the left, as well as, on the right corner
of the front and rear of a vehicle.
Types Of Rear Bumper Bracket & Retainer
Rear
Bumper Brackets are available in 4 types:
- Steel
-
Steel type Rear Bumper Brackets have been used in the system for decades. The
material is well-known for its toughness and resilience in nature. In order to
prevent rust and corrosion, carbon steel parts need paint and treatment.
- Aluminum
-
This type of material provides the durability of steel and it does not add any
extra weight to your vehicle. This type of material is also more malleable. It
has very little tendency to crack during fabrication. Also, it is more
cost-effective than steel.
- Plastic - The vehicle parts which were once made of steel or aluminum are now replaced by heavy-duty plastics. Most commonly referred to as thermoplastics, this type of material is designed to withstand heat, impact, and chemical damage. One of the main advantages of this type of material is that it is not exposed to rust and corrosion.
- Fiberglass
-
Most often fiberglass brackets are paired with bumpers that are made of the
same material. Fiberglass Rear Bumper Brackets are known for their durability
and flexibility. Though it can be bent and held in shape to a certain degree,
if it is hit with a significant force, then it can be prone to cracks.
Important Features Of Rear Bumper Bracket & Retainer
Some
of the important features of Rear Bumper Brackets are:
- The
bumper connection to the body frame is properly secured.
- They
can withstand the wear and tear that is caused by vibrations and it is designed
so.
- They
can be easily fixed or installed.
- They
also act as a metal mount in the bumper of the vehicle.
- In some vehicles, a center bracket is also present and its main purpose is to hold the bumper onto the body of the vehicle.
- Over
the years, its function has changed and it also provides car safety.
Purpose Of Rear Bumper Bracket & Retainer
The
Rear Bumper Bracket is also known as the side support, and it holds the bumper
as well as the other related components in place. As it is a part of the bumper
assembly, it has an important role to make sure that the bumper will operate
correctly in case of a collision.
Tools Needed For Rear Bumper Bracket & Retainer
If you want to repair your Rear Bumper Bracket all by yourself, then let’s face it that you will need some auto body tools. You can always start by building your own tool chest. Searching for some tools needed to repair your Rear Bumper Bracket? Don’t Worry! We are here to help you out. Here are some common tools that you will probably end up needing while repairing your Rear Bumper Bracket.
- Drill
- Drill bits
- Door trim panel tool
- Socket wrench
Top Brands For Rear Bumper Bracket & Retainer
If you know which car parts brand suits the best for your Rear Bumper Bracket, then it would save a lot of your decision-making time. What we believe is that picking a particular brand would always be helpful in reducing the clutter, and at the same time would make it easier for the customers to find what they are actually looking for. That’s why we have listed out some top brands for Rear Bumper Bracket below as follows
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Related Parts Of Rear Bumper Bracket & Retainer
It is always good to learn more! That is the reason why we are here to help you out in gaining more knowledge about the car Rear Bumper Bracket. Here are some Rear Bumper Bracket related parts which would help you to understand it in a better way.
Total Costs & Repair Times, Effort For Rear Bumper Bracket & Retainer
Failure in the Rear Bumper
Bracket comes in a lot of forms. But take note that it is not an
inexpensive repair. Sometimes, in the end, you might find out that there is a
need for complete Rear Bumper Bracket replacement. There is no fast and hard
number as to how much would a Rear Bumper Bracket replacement would cost as it
depends upon a lot of factors like the brand, make, model as well as the
mechanic who is going to repair/replace it.
Depending
on the year, make and model, the cost of replacing a Rear Bumper Bracket will
vary. The cost for OEM replacement parts can lie between $10 to $1,300. These
OEM parts are sold individually, or in sets of 2 to 6, or as part of the bumper
kit. Though you can install the Rear Bumper Brackets on your own, it is always
best to get them fixed from a trusted mechanic to make sure it is proper and
secure
How To Change Rear Bumper Bracket & Retainer?
Here
are a few steps on how to change the Rear Bumper Bracket
- Remove
the bumper cover. - With the help of a door trim panel tool,
remove the clips or screws that are fixed to the cover into the vehicle. Based
on the type of vehicle you have, you can find these clips usually on the top
and bottom areas of the cover, as well as, on the cover's end. If you have any
trouble finding these clips or screws, then you can usually consult your
vehicle manual. Once the cover has been removed, keep it aside carefully in
order to avoid scratching or nicking it.
- Disconnect
any parts that get in the way. - If there are any fog lights
that are fixed on the bumper of your car, then you'll have to separate these
components first before the Rear Bumper Bracket is accessed.
- Locate
the Rear Bumper Brackets. - Rear Bumper Brackets are usually fixed on
the left and right side of the bumper and you can find them just below the
fenders. To know the exact location, you can also consult your car manual.
- Remove
the damaged Rear Bumper Bracket. - With the help of a socket
wrench, take off the two bolts that hold the old bracket in place. Pull it off
slowly to prevent scratching to the nearby surfaces.
- Look
for signs of damage. - Once you remove the old bracket, look
closely at the area around it. See if there are any signs of damage that might
not allow you to properly fixing the new bracket.
- Attach
the new Rear Bumper Bracket. - With the help of a socket
wrench, bolt the new bracket in place. Ensure that the new bolts are properly
aligned.
- Reinstall all the other parts you've removed. - Now you have to reconnect the fog lights or any other components that you removed earlier. Now, reinstall the bumper cover by placing it in position and fixing the clips or screws again, that holds them in place.
Installation
and maintenance tips:
- If
the bolts are hard to remove, you can first spray them a bit of lubricant
before you unbolt them by using a socket wrench. Also, with the help of a
hammer, you can tap them first.
- The
bolts of the new bracket must not be too tight or too loose. Regarding the bolt
torque specification, you can always follow the manufacturer’s instructions.
- When you choose a replacement Rear Bumper Bracket, make sure that the material is highly resistant to corrosion like stainless steel and aluminum.
- If
the brackets have more corroded patches or huge dents, then it is a sign that
you should replace them as soon as possible.