Rear Bumper Sag

[jimlam56]

A problem that has to be addresed by those of us that plan to keep their MM.
Something has to be done to support either side of the rear bumper, or the plastic bumper cover will start to crack over time. New rear bumper covers are expensive and getting rarer...
All of us have an uneven gap under the rear taillights.
Comments/ Suggestions?

[FastMerc]

A pro guard will help in this!

[bigmerc2003]

A problem that has to be addresed by those of us that plan to keep their MM.
Something has to be done to support either side of the rear bumper, or the plastic bumper cover will start to crack over time. New rear bumper covers are expensive and getting rarer...
All of us have an uneven gap under the rear taillights.
Comments/ Suggestions?

Cap you post pics of what you are talking about?

[jimlam56]

A pro guard will help in this!
The pro guard does not help at all. Period.
Look under your taillights and tell me the bumper is not sagging. There is no support there, so the plastic will eventually give way.

[sd8683]

The pro guard does not help at all. Period.
Look under your taillights and tell me the bumper is not sagging. There is no support there, so the plastic will eventually give way.

I noticed this as well......... It looks like over time the supports will come right through the bumper!

[bobsawyer7]

Has anyone on the site found a way to address this problem in a way that works well?
Does this only happen with the Marauder or does it also happens with the Grand Marquis or Crown Vics of the same era?
It would be great to find an effective fix for this before it becomes a major issue.

[a_d_a_m]

spray a bunch of GREAT STUFF in there?
http://greatstuff.dow.com/greatstuff/images/gap.jpg

[Zack]

I will try and devise a solution when I have the car on the lift this weekend.

[1stMerc]

This just to give an idea of location to look. My early days, don't have any current pics of the actual sag.

[ImpalaSlayer]

This just to give an idea of location to look. My early days, don't have any current pics of the actual sag.

oh wow, i always thought that they came like that. now im definitly gona find a way to fix it

[MaxPower]

Anyone have experience using fiberglass? I was just thinking last week about the wavy sides and thought maybe if the backside of the bumper was reinforced with fiberglass or mesh/epoxy it would help the wavy side issue as well as this one.

[ImpalaSlayer]

Anyone have experience using fiberglass? I was just thinking last week about the wavy sides and thought maybe if the backside of the bumper was reinforced with fiberglass or mesh/epoxy it would help the wavy side issue as well as this one.

yes i use it quite frequently. duno if that would be able to be done. dont think it would stick well to the plastic bumper

[252life]

When I removed my bumper to have it painted I was thinking of a fix for this.
And I think a good solution would be to put a bigger piece of metal on top of the existing L-shaped support bracket, that extends a few more inches in under the lights
(I never tried it on my car because I didn't have time but I think it would work)

[DOOM]

Does this only happen with the Marauder or does it also happens with the Grand Marquis or Crown Vics of the same era?
It would be great to find an effective fix for this before it becomes a major issue.

Crown vics too. i have a 01 cvpi with the same issue.

[Vortech347]

I have the same problem. I've noticed on this silver one its ALOT more easy to spot than on my black one. I've had a proguard on this car since I've owned it.

I've wondered if maybe snow got up under the progaurd/bumper and got stuck there. Keep an eye out for that.

A solution would be great as I plan on keeping this baby for a long time!

[Ryans PI]

It's a common thing for '98+ Panthers. My '00 does (with 202K miles), as well as my old '99 Vic. But luckly the paint is not cracking at all nor do I see it sagging anymore than it already did when I bought it almost 3 years ago.

[davidholland]

I've noticed it also! I have a Pro Guard and it does not seem to help. I can really notice how wavy the sides are. It would be great to have a fix for this!

[Master]

Wow! I always thought htat this was just a normal design "feature". Would be really nice to have a smooth bumper again. Will have to check it out when I get the car back.

[jimlam56]

Does anyone have a picture of their car with the rear bumper cover removed? As I recall, there is a straight piece of metal that ends right where the sag starts. I'm thinking of going to a junkyard, find a CV or GM, take that piece off and devise a way to extend it around each side of the bumper. If we don't do anything about this all of us will have cracked bumpers in 10 years, IMO.

[Egon Spengler]

With my accident I will be getting a new bumper cover, so I will need to figure something out, because my car had the saggy a$$ syndrome badly!

[larryo340]

With my accident I will be getting a new bumper cover, so I will need to figure something out, because my car had the saggy a$$ syndrome badly!


Hold onto that old cover.

[MERCMAN]

http://www.mercurymarauder.net/forums/showthread.php?t=43752&highlight=bumper+sag

[jimlam56]

It may be, but that isn't the problem I'm referring to. Look under your tail lights.

[CKMustangCobra]

Mine has the sag also...

[GordonB]

Now we are talking! A real MM Thread that brings everyone together thinking of a fix! I have noticed this same problem with BOTH my MMs, but hadn't thought of a fix. I tto will investigate with the drop light and a pad on the garage floor this weekend!

GordonB

[Architect]

I've noticed it also! I have a Pro Guard and it does not seem to help. I can really notice how wavy the sides are. It would be great to have a fix for this!
The rear sag and the side waves are related...
Reach under the rear bumper, near the tail light... while you pull/lift up watch the wave in the side panel... it goes away...:D
I do run a "Pro Guard" but it doen't help this problem...
Just an observation...
Architect

[jimlam56]

I have a progaurd also. Practically worthless to solve the sag under the lights. The problem is more a lack of support on either side of the brace. You can feel where the brace ends under the tail lights, and that's where we will have problems down the road.
What we need to solve this is a picture of the car with the bumper cover off so we know what we have to work with...

[jimlam56]

I will try and devise a solution when I have the car on the lift this weekend.
Looking forward to hearing your ideas.

[SC Cheesehead]

Looking forward to hearing your ideas.

+1

I hadn't noticed the sag until you guys raised the issue. Would be great if we can find a fix.

[freakstatus]

I have a progaurd also. Practically worthless to solve the sag under the lights. The problem is more a lack of support on either side of the brace. You can feel where the brace ends under the tail lights, and that's where we will have problems down the road.
What we need to solve this is a picture of the car with the bumper cover off so we know what we have to work with...

+1.... I think the Proguard is more meant for the sag on the bottom by the tailpipes from the bumper acting as a rear parachute over time. At least thats what I bought it for. As for the other problem I'm still ok but will keep an eye on it.

[FordNut]

Here's a shot of the underside of the bumper. An extension of the support to go around the corners would do the trick. Either add on the extensions or make a new support which extends around the corners.

[ImpalaSlayer]

Here's a shot of the underside of the bumper. An extension of the support to go around the corners would do the trick. Either add on the extensions or make a new support which extends around the corners.
does that metal seporate from the plastic?

[FordNut]

Yes, there are 3 push-pins that hold it together. The mounting studs go through the bumper and body sheetmetal, wedging the plastic bumper between the bracket and the body along the full length of the bracket.

[jimlam56]

Great shot Brian. can we detach and weld an extension to the metal, and then reassemble?

[ImpalaSlayer]

Great shot Brian. Is the metal part glued/bonded to the bumper, or can we detach and weld an extension to the metal?

thats what i just asked lol
he said it could be removed so it looks like ill be welding some extensions to it.

[Hotrauder]

+1.... I think the Proguard is more meant for the sag on the bottom by the tailpipes from the bumper acting as a rear parachute over time. At least thats what I bought it for. As for the other problem I'm still ok but will keep an eye on it.

Actually the Pro Guard is meant to keep the cops from tearing off the rear bumper cover when crossing raised medians. They do nothing to stop bumper cover sag, top or bottom, do not increase gas mileage or anything else of value except make lots of money for the vendors who sell them. Trust me, I know, I am one of the dummies who bought one. :D Dennis

[Hotrauder]

Here's a shot of the underside of the bumper. An extension of the support to go around the corners would do the trick. Either add on the extensions or make a new support which extends around the corners.

Brian, thanks for the pic. It illustrates exactly what we are dealing with and I bet some one here can fab up a replacement bracket that will run around the corner and fix about 10,000 Marauders and god knows how many GMs and CVs. Looks like a business venture for the times to me. Who UP. Dennis

[jimlam56]

Actually the Pro Guard is meant to keep the cops from tearing off the rear bumper cover when crossing raised medians. They do nothing to stop bumper cover sag, top or bottom, do not increase gas mileage or anything else of value except make lots of money for the vendors who sell them. Trust me, I know, I am one of the dummies who bought one. :D Dennis

This is the truth, as only Dennis can tell it!

[FordNut]

Actually the Pro Guard is meant to keep the cops from tearing off the rear bumper cover when crossing raised medians. They do nothing to stop bumper cover sag, top or bottom, do not increase gas mileage or anything else of value except make lots of money for the vendors who sell them. Trust me, I know, I am one of the dummies who bought one. :D Dennis


This is the truth, as only Dennis can tell it!

Honestly it does serve another purpose. It stops the rear bumper from balooning and flopping around, especially at high speeds. Follow a Marauder with and another one without the Pro Gard and you'll see what I mean. That ballooning and flopping around will eventually contribute to the lower mounting tabs ripping.

[offroadkarter]

Follow a Marauder with and another one without the Pro Gard and you'll see what I mean. That ballooning and flopping around will eventually contribute to the lower mounting tabs ripping.


I have, and noticed no ballooning, nor has anyone told me that my bumper was about to fly off because of me lacking a pro guard. :confused: Mine still looks fine, guess im lucky?

http://i39.photobucket.com/albums/e185/offroadkarter/windows%20error%20message/ErrorMessage.png

[ImpalaSlayer]

i came up with a fix tonight but i think i have to fine tune it because there is still a gap

[Bluerauder]

Honestly it does serve another purpose. It stops the rear bumper from balooning and flopping around, especially at high speeds. Follow a Marauder with and another one without the Pro Gard and you'll see what I mean. That ballooning and flopping around will eventually contribute to the lower mounting tabs ripping.
This ^^^^ is exactly why I got a ProGard. Mike Poore followed me from Cruztaker's house in Cleveland to MV III in Detroit (August 2005). He told me by radio that my rear bumper was ballooning and shimmying. He noticed it in the reflections from my SSInserts. The ProGard provides that extra support and prevents the airstream from catching that bumper lip on the inside. From that point of view, it was worth it. :up:

[hwy73]

:popcorn: :popcorn: :popcorn:

[1stMerc]

Great shot Brian. can we detach and weld an extension to the metal, and then reassemble?

Does it have to be welded? Would there be a way to attach something with screws? Also, how thick would the piece have to be?

[ImpalaSlayer]

Does it have to be welded? Would there be a way to attach something with screws? Also, how thick would the piece have to be?

yes it can be, ill post pics of what i did in a few mineutes

[FordNut]

The original piece is sheet metal, but it is stamped with a 90 degree bend at the lip so it has some strength. Since there are no attachment points around the corners I would expect the whole thing may need to be thicker to provide the extended support. But there are probably many ways to approach it.

[ImpalaSlayer]

as Brian said the factory support is stamped steel with a little lip for support. so i basicly did the same thing. i started by cutting these 2 little pieces from some scrap steel that was laying around, not sure what guage it is but its similar to what the factory support is made from.

http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y47/blaster250cr/IMG_0637.jpg

i welded them on the end of the factory support
http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y47/blaster250cr/IMG_0641.jpg
then i cut 2 smaller pieces and tuned them on edge and over lapped the the support and the piece i welded on previosly.
http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y47/blaster250cr/IMG_0643.jpg

you can see here it helped some but i need to tweek up some so that it lifts the corner up.

http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y47/blaster250cr/IMG_0651.jpg
you could probably do the same but screw it on. althought it they would have to be counter sunk screws or id worry of the heads rubbing through the bumper

[1stMerc]

as Brian said the factory support is stamped steel with a little lip for support. so i basicly did the same thing. i started by cutting these 2 little pieces from some scrap steel that was laying around, not sure what guage it is but its similar to what the factory support is made from.

http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y47/blaster250cr/IMG_0637.jpg

i welded them on the end of the factory support
http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y47/blaster250cr/IMG_0641.jpg
then i cut 2 smaller pieces and tuned them on edge and over lapped the the support and the piece i welded on previosly.
http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y47/blaster250cr/IMG_0643.jpg

you can see here it helped some but i need to tweek up some so that it lifts the corner up.

http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y47/blaster250cr/IMG_0651.jpg
you could probably do the same but screw it on. althought it they would have to be counter sunk screws or id worry of the heads rubbing through the bumper

Hmm, this looks pretty dooable and functional. Like the part you used as a brace thus the metal doesn't have to be to thick for good support with no gaps.
Is there a way you can get a pic looking up at it?

[ImpalaSlayer]

nor do the welds have to be pretty ;D

[jimlam56]

A good start, please take pictures of the rear of your car when you have the bumper cover off. Also, maybe glue a piece of rubber over your welded piece so it doesn't rub on the bumper cover?

[Architect]

Yes, there are 3 push-pins that hold it together. The mounting studs go through the bumper and body sheetmetal, wedging the plastic bumper between the bracket and the body along the full length of the bracket.
Are the old push-pins reusable...? or is it best to have new ones in hand for the re-installation..?
Thanks, Architect

[FordNut]

Are the old push-pins reusable...? or is it best to have new ones in hand for the re-installation..?
Thanks, Architect

They're the two-piece ones, if you're careful with them you can re-use them.

[ImpalaSlayer]

Are the old push-pins reusable...? or is it best to have new ones in hand for the re-installation..?
Thanks, Architect


dont worry about those, i drilled them out with a 1/4 inch bit and replaced with screws.

[GetMeMyStogie]

spray a bunch of GREAT STUFF in there?
http://greatstuff.dow.com/greatstuff/images/gap.jpg

Haha! Seriously, this stuff provides great support. The rear fenders in my old MK VI rotted out along the entire length of the trunk, and up the wheel well. It got so bad, the the fender sheetmetal eventually began 'flapping in the wind', so to speak (you could push on it, and it would swing in and out for a while.
I sprayed a whole can of this stuff in there, between the fender and the body, without so much as a car wash beforehand. After that, my fender was solid as a rock again, and stayed that way for several years, until I junked it. The best part was you couldn't see any of the foam unless you went digging under the trunk liner.

This might work to prevent sag, but it won't fix an existing sag.

[BigCars4Ever]

Can the support be removed and installed without dropping the bumper cover?

[ImpalaSlayer]

Can the support be removed and installed without dropping the bumper cover?

nope. its not hard to pull off. a dozen push pins, 10 nuts and 2 bolts and it comes right off. the nuts are behind the trunk liner and arnt that hard to get to once you know where they are.

[jimlam56]

nope. its not hard to pull off. a dozen push pins, 10 nuts and 2 bolts and it comes right off. the nuts are behind the trunk liner and arnt that hard to get to once you know where they are.

Any pictures are appreciated. I'm going to pull mine off this weekend to take a look.

[ImpalaSlayer]

Any pictures are appreciated. I'm going to pull mine off this weekend to take a look.

sorry friend i didnt take any because it is pretty obvious

[Joe Walsh]

Dave, rather than tweaking those nice, welded metal brackets up to better support the bumper...
I would fill in the gaps with a fairly dense closed cell foam or rubber strips like 'jimlam56' suggested.
Less chance of the metal wearing into the soft vinyl bumper cover.

BTW: That's a nice looking mod you invented!
I'd go to some local junkyards to get some 'core' bumper supports and start cranking them out with your additional 'support wings' welded on.
What's it worth to get rid of a sagging bumper?

[ImpalaSlayer]

Dave, rather than tweaking those nice, welded metal brackets up to better support the bumper...
I would fill in the gaps with a fairly dense closed cell foam or rubber strips like 'jimlam56' suggested.
Less chance of the metal wearing into the soft vinyl bumper cover.

BTW: That's a nice looking mod you invented!
I'd go to some local junkyards to get some 'core' bumper supports and start cranking them out with your additional 'support wings' welded on.
What's it worth to get rid of a sagging bumper?

Joe i was thinking of adding some thicker rubber on top of the pieces i added to help jack up the corners. it think its kinda like the center of the bumper sagging, once its done you cant really fix it but maybe once the car sits in the hot summer sun it will change.

[Master]

If you pre-loaded the bumper into the proper position somehow and THEN sprayed the foam, it should set and you could remove the pre-load and it should stay where it is. Thoughts? Could this work and save a lot of hassle?

[ImpalaSlayer]

If you pre-loaded the bumper into the proper position somehow and THEN sprayed the foam, it should set and you could remove the pre-load and it should stay where it is. Thoughts? Could this work and save a lot of hassle?
if you look up where this piece is there no way foam is gona do anyhting by its self.

[Joe Walsh]

Joe i was thinking of adding some thicker rubber on top of the pieces i added to help jack up the corners. it think its kinda like the center of the bumper sagging, once its done you cant really fix it but maybe once the car sits in the hot summer sun it will change.

I've got rolls & rolls of heavy rubber strips if you need some...just gotta get it to you.
I'll check the dimensions for you.
In fact I'm thinking of putting them on Craig's List to sell some of it.

[jimlam56]

sorry friend i didnt take any because it is pretty obvious
This part isn't...
"the nuts are behind the trunk liner and arnt that hard to get to once you know where they are."

[ImpalaSlayer]

This part isn't...
"the nuts are behind the trunk liner and arnt that hard to get to once you know where they are."
just pull it back you will see em, there are 2 on each side and 6 for the rear.

[jimlam56]

just pull it back you will see em, there are 2 on each side and 6 for the rear.

Thanks! That will help.

[1stMerc]

if you look up where this piece is there no way foam is gona do anyhting by its self.

Since Good Stuff spray foam is pretty firm and holds up pretty well once it's cured couldn't you spray it on the top of your fix, shape it then put the cover back once fully cured. Thoughts

Also, i was looking at mine this past weekend and lifting to correct sag and noticed the upper front corner pulled away from the body a bit. Did you happen notice this after you had put cover back on? Did using the screws correct this?

[ImpalaSlayer]

Since Good Stuff spray foam is pretty firm and holds up pretty well once it's cured couldn't you spray it on the top of your fix, shape it then put the cover back once fully cured. Thoughts

Also, i was looking at mine this past weekend and lifting to correct sag and noticed the upper front corner pulled away from the body a bit. Did you happen notice this after you had put cover back on? Did using the screws correct this?

no the srcews only replace the 3 rubber push pin things, they do nothing for the front corners. i dont know if that possible to fix. that spray foam is only gona contor to the shape that is already there its not gona push up on it, it isnt THAT stong. ill try to fix it better this weekend if the weather is nice.