Sagging Bumper?

[Dave G]

I was just wondering if anyone has noticed a sagg in the middle of their rear bumper cover down at the most bottom edge toward the ground. I have an '04 that has this condition and was wondering if it is normal for the Marauder's to have this. I've looked at some Crown Vic's that don't exhibit this condition. Is it just my Marauder or do they all look this way?

[MarauderMark]

I was just wondering if anyone has noticed a sagg in the middle of their rear bumper cover down at the most bottom edge toward the ground. I have an '04 that has this condition and was wondering if it is normal for the Marauder's to have this. I've looked at some Crown Vic's that don't exhibit this condition. Is it just my Marauder or do they all look this way?



Unfortunantly this is a common thing with these cars . they look good when you buy it but when it comes homes and starts getting spoiled with the expensive gas and detailing it starts getting a little heavy in the butt.it still a great lookin a$$ though:cool4:
i know there was another thread about this in here and i'm not sure if there was a remidy for this in there as well..i'll have to look...

[MARAUDER S/C]

I would have to agree that the rear facia could use some more support. Maybe Mack and Zack could help us?

[gilby04]

The rear fascia on mine had a permanent center sag from Day One.
However, the sag has not worsened in 7 months of ownership.
In my view, an additional (factory) support clip would have remedied the sag.

[RCSignals]

I think it's part of the design
You can't compare to a CV, the rear bumbers are completely different

[FordNut]

I added a bracket to mine. At high speeds, it really bows out and flops around a lot. (in the original bracketless configuration)

[the fat bastid]

mine too, i was wondering the same thing when i compared it to troopcar's...hers was doing it too so i assumed it was supposed to look like that.. awh well.

[Rollin'Thunder]

I added a bracket to mine. At high speeds, it really bows out and flops around a lot. (in the original bracketless configuration)
FordNut, Do you mind telling us how you installed the bracket? I have the same problem on my new '04. It seems worse then the '03 ever did. :confused: Thanks! Bill

[merc406]

The rear fascia on mine had a permanent center sag from Day One.
However, the sag has not worsened in 7 months of ownership.
In my view, an additional (factory) support clip would have remedied the sag.


Sounds like a "Bra" needed on the rear end also to keep it from saggin.

[gilby04]

Sounds like a "Bra" needed on the rear end also to keep it from saggin.

Okay, merc, it's likely your recommendation would provide the much desired "uplift" ! I was unaware that sagging rearends were so widespread ???

[FordNut]

FordNut, Do you mind telling us how you installed the bracket? I have the same problem on my new '04. It seems worse then the '03 ever did. :confused: Thanks! Bill
I'll try to take some pics tomorrow.

[rookie1]

they look good when you buy it but when it comes homes and starts getting spoiled, it starts getting a little heavy in the butt.it still a great lookin a$$ though:cool4:
...

I had a very similar issue at counseling during my first marriage...........

[Marauderjack]

I made a bracket out of 1/8" aluminum 1.5" wide and attached it to the frame much like the ones on either side near the exhaust outlets!! Not wishing to drill any holes I contoured The bracket to the inner shape of the fascia and used double sided body moulding tape....So far it is fine and no sagging!!! :up:

BTW...That sag was the first blemish I saw when I picked the car up.....Couldn't believe the engineers let that one get by!!! :nono:

If anyone is interested I will take photos and attempt to post??

The fix cost me all of $2.00!!!! :cool:

Marauderjack :pimp:

[Dave G]

I made a bracket out of 1/8" aluminum 1.5" wide and attached it to the frame much like the ones on either side near the exhaust outlets!! Not wishing to drill any holes I contoured The bracket to the inner shape of the fascia and used double sided body moulding tape....So far it is fine and no sagging!!! :up:

BTW...That sag was the first blemish I saw when I picked the car up.....Couldn't believe the engineers let that one get by!!! :nono:

If anyone is interested I will take photos and attempt to post??

The fix cost me all of $2.00!!!! :cool:

Marauderjack :pimp:
Marauder Jack , If you could post pictures of your bracket that would be great. I was thinking of making a bracket if this sagging was normal. Really like the idea of the tape instead of screws. Thanks!

[Jerry Barnes]

Yep, I have a sagging rear end also. I am taking back to the dealer next week. Looks like *****!

[SouLRioT]

you guys need to pos pictures of this, but i thought it was sapose to have a slope on the bottom center of the bumper.

[Big Joe P]

I really notice how loose it is when closing the trunk. The first time I did it I had to look underneath to see what was wrong. Guess that's how they're made. I would like to tighten it up though...........

[gonzo50]

I just thought that was part of the design, mine also sags somewhat, not bad enough to make an issue of it. :(
Unless you didn't know there was something different, you couldn't really tell. :confused:

[Mattsmerc]

and mine too has the poopy in the pants look. ive seen others with the same thing. and i noticed when your driving down the highway it seems to flop around a little bit. i know that can't be good on the body clips

[JamesHecker]

I have the same problem.

[Stephen Soulsby]

I don't seem to have this problem. My problem is the clearance between the tail lights and the bumper.

[merc406]

and mine too has the poopy in the pants look. ive seen others with the same thing. and i noticed when your driving down the highway it seems to flop around a little bit. i know that can't be good on the body clips


I'll revize my earlier recomondation, try some Huggies, their pretty tight. :lol:

[FordNut]

Pics of my brace and the bolt. The brace I used is way too heavy duty for the purpose, but ya gotta use what ya got sometimes. The bolt which holds the brace to the bumper support goes into an existing hole. The bolt which holds the cover in place required one hole to be drilled. The bolt is barely noticeable from the back of the car and nobody sees it until I tell them about it. It is the same type of bolt which is used for attaching the cover/splash panels under the front bumper cover.

[Bradley G]

Are the red letters on rear bumper decals? Or painted ? very nice:up: What is the best source for appearance mods ?:bounce:

[FordNut]

Are the red letters on rear bumper decals? Or painted ? very nice:up: What is the best source for appearance mods ?:bounce:They're decals. Reflective Red. Check with BobWhite. Many different sources for appearance mods, but no really consolidated supplier. Search the threads for what you're interested in, most threads list the source. God's head emblems, God's head stickers, God's head valve stem caps, Emblem delete grilles, SSinserts letters, BobWhite decal letters, Spoilers, Powdercoated wheels, Painted calipers, Niteshades painted taillight lenses, Upgraded bulbs are some of the appearance mods I have done and/or read about here.

[MARAUDER S/C]

My bumper does not sag at the bottom/center. The WHOLE bumper sags. I have a gap about .5 inch to .75 inch between the taillites and the top of the bumper. :confused:

[MARAUDERCHICK]

I have the same problem...AND....my bumper is also slightly concave on both sides, where it wraps around. (if that makes sense)....I brought it to Ford's attention....the Service Manager took some pics....sent them to the Ford warranty approval department and they said they didn't see anything other than a black car with no defects in the bumper!!!....well what do you expect??? It's a black car and it just looks like a black car in the pictures....the service manager saw it and told them he saw it, but they just wanted "more" pictures!! Like the next set of pics would show something different than the first set?!?!?! ANYWAYZ....


I guess I'll get with FordNut and get a bracket put on mine too! I don't know what to do about the concave effect I have on the sides though???

Any suggestions???

[Fourth Horseman]

I was just wondering if anyone has noticed a sagg in the middle of their rear bumper cover down at the most bottom edge toward the ground. I have an '04 that has this condition and was wondering if it is normal for the Marauder's to have this. I've looked at some Crown Vic's that don't exhibit this condition. Is it just my Marauder or do they all look this way?

Yup, mine does that too. It's not noticeable, really, unless you get down and look at it. Still, I"ve been pondering solutions.

[bigslim]

FordNut, take some touch up paint and paint that bolt. Iy will really less noticeable then.

[MarauderMark]

[QUOTE=]I brought it to Ford's attention....the Service Manager took some pics.. but they just wanted "more" pictures!!
QUOTE]




Maybe printing out this thread and everyone going to the dealer about this problem (which it is) maybe ford will do something about it .just a thought..

[Mattsmerc]

I made a bracket out of 1/8" aluminum 1.5" wide and attached it to the frame much like the ones on either side near the exhaust outlets!! Not wishing to drill any holes I contoured The bracket to the inner shape of the fascia and used double sided body moulding tape....So far it is fine and no sagging!!! :up:

BTW...That sag was the first blemish I saw when I picked the car up.....Couldn't believe the engineers let that one get by!!! :nono:

If anyone is interested I will take photos and attempt to post??

The fix cost me all of $2.00!!!! :cool:

Marauderjack :pimp:
yep i just fixed mine with the same idea. I used a strip of stainless steel 1" wide with a 1/8" lip and double sided tape. so far so good :rock:

[jabo731]

this sight is great, but I must with all the good news you learn you also learn the bad like sagging rear bumpers.

[warren]

I had the same problem at 680 miles in 9/02 --- Ford has a fix for it.
Took it to dealer and they installed a special bracket in the middle
and that solved the problem. No Charge.:D

WarrenB

[jgc61sr2002]

Warren - Thanks for the heads up. :up:

[Fourth Horseman]

Is there any TSB number or anything we can reference when we take ours in?

[MARAUDER S/C]

My bumper does not sag at the bottom/center. The WHOLE bumper sags. I have a gap about .5 inch to .75 inch between the taillites and the top of the bumper. :confused:

Anyone else?????????

[Cobra25]

I have the same problem with the center saging also the rest of the bumper sags at parts also.

[Mattsmerc]

Anyone else?????????
YES I have the same deal

[rookie1]

Anyone else?????????

yup, I have the same thing. not sure if it's sag or horrible fit/finish

[MM03]

1 more here. My cover also lacks support.

[Smokie]

I created a support for the center sag, my support point is the 1/2" lip instead of from the bottom, invisible unless you go under the car.

The differences are subtle, I did not have a huge sag.
First picture is before.
Next is after.
The support bracket.

[Bluerauder]

I was just wondering if anyone has noticed a sagg in the middle of their rear bumper cover down at the most bottom edge toward the ground. I have an '04 that has this condition and was wondering if it is normal for the Marauder's to have this. I've looked at some Crown Vic's that don't exhibit this condition. Is it just my Marauder or do they all look this way?

Yep, I've got the droopy drawers effect also. Never even noticed it until this thread was posted. It looks to be a couple inches off center to the low point. Did someone say that Mercury has a fix for this under a TSB??

The wide lip on the under side of the fascia must act like an air pocket or air dam at highway speeds and pull it down distorting the shape permanently without extra mid support.

[Black 04]

I created a support for the center sag, my support point is the 1/2" lip instead of from the bottom, invisible unless you go under the car.

The differences are subtle, I did not have a huge sag.
First picture is before.
Next is after.
The support bracket.


Smokie...that was a great idea...Mine also had a slight sag...I did mine the same way accept I used plastic ties.

[nexstar7]

ditto, i just noticed mine sagging too.

[MarauderMark]

I created a support for the center sag, my support point is the 1/2" lip instead of from the bottom, invisible unless you go under the car.

The differences are subtle, I did not have a huge sag.
First picture is before.
Next is after.
The support bracket.



absolutely ingenious :up: :up: :up:
Problem cured!!!

[seabreeze]

But the 2004 Red has the 1 inch sag. Was also missing the two side tab attachment screws. I found some screws to go into the existing clips for those, and will use the hints found here from you guys with the solution to shore up the sagging middle. Thanks for the good pics and descriptions. :up:

[Rollin'Thunder]

I had the same problem at 680 miles in 9/02 --- Ford has a fix for it.
Took it to dealer and they installed a special bracket in the middle
and that solved the problem. No Charge.:D

WarrenB
I took a copy of this post to my dealership. They can't seem to find anything about a fix from Ford....Surprise, Surprise! Guess I'll have to do it myself. If you want it done right........ :rolleyes:

[warren]

I took a copy of this post to my dealership. They can't seem to find anything about a fix from Ford....Surprise, Surprise! Guess I'll have to do it myself. If you want it done right........ :rolleyes:
I would go back or to a diff. dealer or Ford Cobra dealer.
If the the wind is catching it and it is real obivious - sticks out alot
just tell them to fix it and keep going up the line until its done.
YOU should not have to do it.

WarrenB:nono:

[hutch]

Warren,
I live in the east bay (San Ramon area) and I was wondering what Ford Cobra Dealer you take your MM to?

Eric Hutch

[jaywish]

Just Thought I'd comment on the under tail light/bumper gap.

I went to a local dealers lot and all GM's and Vic's have the space between the tail lights and the bumper. About 3/4 inch. In fact my 93 had a gap there.

There is no adjustment for bumper height at this point as the top of the bumper has to mate directly with the quarter panel. Thus it already is as high as it can go.

Jay

[MARAUDER S/C]

Just Thought I'd comment on the under tail light/bumper gap.

I went to a local dealers lot and all GM's and Vic's have the space between the tail lights and the bumper. About 3/4 inch. In fact my 93 had a gap there.

There is no adjustment for bumper height at this point as the top of the bumper has to mate directly with the quarter panel. Thus it already is as high as it can go.

Jay

Thanks for the info. :up:

[troopcar]

My bumper does not sag at the bottom/center. The WHOLE bumper sags. I have a gap about .5 inch to .75 inch between the taillites and the top of the bumper. :confused:

Same for me. The gap between tail-light and bumper (on the side of the tail-light that's on the length of the car) is about .5 inch on the driver's side and almost .75 inch on the passenger's side.

Jaywish, thanks for doing the legwork on the local dealer's lot. Who would've thought? With my powers of observation, good thing I don't work for a CSU. Never noticed the big gap until recently. Could have sworn that the gap wasn't that big. Now I drive around staring at taxi cabs and LEO CVs bumpers to see what kind of gap they've got. It's my obsession du jour.

http://smilies.sofrayt.com/1/950/crazy.gif

troopcar

[warren]

Warren,
I live in the east bay (San Ramon area) and I was wondering what Ford Cobra Dealer you take your MM to?

Eric Hutch
Eric,
I origionally showed it to my selling dealer (Mt. Diablo Linc. Merc.)
and mentioned that people behind me at 65+mph were telling me my bumper
was coming off and the dealer did fix it with a strap.

The Ford Cobra dealer in Walnut Creek is Walnut Creek Ford on Main St.

Good Luck,

WarrenB:)

[joflewbyu2]

when i was looking 4 pushbars on police equipment sites there was a stainless sheet that goes underneath to keep air flow from pulling it down as well as being pulled down from catching the ground when the cruisers are cutting through medians.

[merc406]

[QUOTE=troopcar]Same for me. The gap between tail-light and bumper (on the side of the tail-light that's on the length of the car) is about .5 inch on the driver's side and almost .75 inch on the passenger's side.


You can adjust the bar behind the cover up or down. Also if you can't get it exact then try tighting up the body bolts back their, who knows maybe a CAW member fell asleep or somethin if ya catch my drift. :rasta:

[GarageMahal]

when i was looking 4 pushbars on police equipment sites there was a stainless sheet that goes underneath to keep air flow from pulling it down as well as being pulled down from catching the ground when the cruisers are cutting through medians.

Any idea where you saw this? It is an appealing fix to me.

jta

[MAD-3R]

I wonder if tis could be slowing us down... acting like a small drag shoot...

[Fourth Horseman]

I wonder if tis could be slowing us down... acting like a small drag shoot...

All this time we had 11 second cars and our bumpers were holding us back! :banana:

[gonzo50]

You can adjust the bar behind the cover up or down. Also if you can't get it exact then try tighting up the body bolts back their, who knows maybe a CAW member fell asleep or somethin if ya catch my drift. :rasta:
I guess thats a start, will try this and see....


Any idea where you saw this? It is an appealing fix to me.
I kind of like this fix too....

[cyclopsram]

My 2003 Crown Vic P72 has no center bracket or support on the bottom of the rear bumper cover, but my 1999 does...The 99 cover seems to be thicker too. The DECONTENTING begun by Allan Gilmour the rehired CFO. Lots of cheaper and missing stuff on the Crown Vics as on the 2003 Marauder 300A versus 300B Models... I thought the downsizing of the fuel tank from 20 gals. a few years ago to 19 gals. as a "weight saving feature" in the sales brochure was among the finest of creature discomforts. But, I still love the V8 and rear wheel drive...

[Marauder57]

I have noticed the sagging of the bumper on mine in the rear....but today I noticed the front is saggin as well.....the problem is that the fiberglass or whatever is resting on a "point" of some kind now.....and it is creating a "distortion" in the light when you look at it.....so you can clearly see the thing has dropped.....

Anyone else have a problem with the front?

[tomd]

Unfortunantly this is a common thing with these cars . they look good when you buy it but when it comes homes and starts getting spoiled with the expensive gas and detailing it starts getting a little heavy in the butt.it still a great lookin a$$ though:cool4:
i know there was another thread about this in here and i'm not sure if there was a remidy for this in there as well..i'll have to look...


:lol: Good One!

[troopcar]

.....the problem is that the fiberglass or whatever is resting on a "point" of some kind now.....and it is creating a "distortion" in the light when you look at it.....so you can clearly see the thing has dropped.....

Anyone else have a problem with the front?

I see those two "points" and the "distortion" on my rear bumper cover that you can feel as well as see in the light. I'll take a look tonite to see if the front is like that as well.

The manager at my servicing dealer said the situation was normal and there was nothing he could do. When I pointed out a brand new 04 Crown Vic w/ 4 miles on the odometer that had a nice snug non-sagging rear bumper cover, he said something like "they're different cars with totally different bumpers." So I said something like, "so the Marauder was designed to sag?" The conversation went nowhere. He just wasn't interested.

http://smilies.sofrayt.com/1/s/asthanos.gif

troopcar

[warren]

mp
I see those two "points" and the "distortion" on my rear bumper cover that you can feel as well as see in the light. I'll take a look tonite to see if the front is like that as well.

The manager at my servicing dealer said the situation was normal and there was nothing he could do. When I pointed out a brand new 04 Crown Vic w/ 4 miles on the odometer that had a nice snug non-sagging rear bumper cover, he said something like "they're different cars with totally different bumpers." So I said something like, "so the Marauder was designed to sag?" The conversation went nowhere. He just wasn't interested.

http://smilies.sofrayt.com/1/s/asthanos.gif

troopcar Troopcar if the Linc. dealer won't help go to the Cobra dealer or call
the Ford customer service 800 line. Keep pushing.
It is fixable and they do have info. on it. It's a bolt on strap.
Mine would push out at 65mph+ and cars behind would notice.
Many patrol cars have the problem.
Keep at it and you will get service.

Good Luck,
WarrenB

[Patrick]

Thanks Javier!!! :nworthy:

[Smokie]

Thanks Javier!!! :nworthy:You are welcome my friend.

[GordonB]

I have another suggestion that builds on what Smokie and others have done:
Could we run a 18" piece of alum. horizontally and fasten in at least 2 places towards the end of the alum piece and then attach a vertical piece to this bracket and then up to the spot when Smokie attached his support? I'm jus trying to get force distribution and a permanent fix for a sagging rearend!!! After all, things begin to sag as they age!!!!
RMOTFLMAO!!!!!
GordonB

[valleyman]

I have another suggestion that builds on what Smokie and others have done:
Could we run a 18" piece of alum. horizontally and fasten in at least 2 places towards the end of the alum piece and then attach a vertical piece to this bracket and then up to the spot when Smokie attached his support? I'm jus trying to get force distribution and a permanent fix for a sagging rearend!!! After all, things begin to sag as they age!!!!
RMOTFLMAO!!!!!
GordonB

GordonB-- that's pretty much how I fixed mine. I used a horizontal piece of aluminum that is only 4" long, but rather than being a flat strap it is "L" shaped stock. I figured "L" shaped stock would be much more rigid than flat strap. Also, I toyed with the idea of making the brace much longer like the 18" you suggest but that would have entailed drilling many more holes in the bumper than the two I used to hold on the 4" piece. It looked to me like a piece 18" long would need at least four or five attachment points to the bumper to keep them both firmly together when the air speed under there hits 70+ mph.

My brace has been on there for several months now and the bumper line is straight and true despite many,many hours of 70+ mph air trying to make it sag again.

[jgc61sr2002]

GordonB-- that's pretty much how I fixed mine. I used a horizontal piece of aluminum that is only 4" long, but rather than being a flat strap it is "L" shaped stock. I figured "L" shaped stock would be much more rigid than flat strap. Also, I toyed with the idea of making the brace much longer like the 18" you suggest but that would have entailed drilling many more holes in the bumper than the two I used to hold on the 4" piece. It looked to me like a piece 18" long would need at least four or five attachment points to the bumper to keep them both firmly together when the air speed under there hits 70+ mph.

My brace has been on there for several months now and the bumper line is straight and true despite many,many hours of 70+ mph air trying to make it sag again.

Do you have any pictures?

[valleyman]

Sorry, no pictures because I'm a total techno goober. I don't have a digital camera. But since you're about the fifteenth person on this site to ask me for pictures of stuff I guess I oughta get one, and learn how to use it. To pay back the site for everything I've gotten from here.