All About Car 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.

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.

Rear Bumper Brackets are available in 4 types:

1. 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.
2. 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.
3. 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.
4. 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.

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.

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.

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

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

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.

• Rear Bumper Bracket
• Rear Bumper Side Bracket
• Rear Cover Side Support Bracket
• Rear Bumper Support Bracket
• Rear Bumper Mounting Bracket

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

Here are a few steps on how to change the Rear Bumper Bracket

1. 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.
2. 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.
3. 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.
4. 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.
5. 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.
6. 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.
7. 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.