Hidden front bumper bolts on an S4
Posted: Thu Mar 07, 2019 10:10 pm
I am replacing my original factory Federal bumper on my S4 for two reasons:
1. Wanted to get rid of the integral side flatted reflectors existent only on Federal cars. These are not the lighted Sprint versions but simply screwed on reflectors.
2. My bumper came with a wedge carved out in the front to accommodate a US license plate. I had this filled immediately as it destroyed the smooth lines of the car. The fill "repair" has not aged well and is distorted.
I purchased a new bumper from TTR. It came with screw-in bobbins on both ends. The original bumper had holes for a through bolt with the head on the outside and a nut inside. With the new bumper presumably one only needs to screw a bolt into the bobbin from the inside. Then, fill and smooth over the bobbin on the exterior resulting in a "bolt-less" look. Maybe this is how the 26r (shorter bumpers) are set up as I don't recall seeing external bolts on those?
Also, the new (and old) bumper do not have the central bolt / bobbin indicated as being present in S4's and later. My original body has no hole either for a central bolt. I suspect the Federal S4 bumper, being different already and "cobbled together" to satisfy new Federal regulations, may not have had this central bolt. Wondering whether I should put a central bobbin in the new bumper. Anyone have an opinion whether this is needed? Note: I am fitting the new bumper with no plastic chrome strip in the gap, so the gap needs to be tight. The body shop thinks the bumper may be secured OK with just the two end bolts and a body form fitting foam filling.
1. Wanted to get rid of the integral side flatted reflectors existent only on Federal cars. These are not the lighted Sprint versions but simply screwed on reflectors.
2. My bumper came with a wedge carved out in the front to accommodate a US license plate. I had this filled immediately as it destroyed the smooth lines of the car. The fill "repair" has not aged well and is distorted.
I purchased a new bumper from TTR. It came with screw-in bobbins on both ends. The original bumper had holes for a through bolt with the head on the outside and a nut inside. With the new bumper presumably one only needs to screw a bolt into the bobbin from the inside. Then, fill and smooth over the bobbin on the exterior resulting in a "bolt-less" look. Maybe this is how the 26r (shorter bumpers) are set up as I don't recall seeing external bolts on those?
Also, the new (and old) bumper do not have the central bolt / bobbin indicated as being present in S4's and later. My original body has no hole either for a central bolt. I suspect the Federal S4 bumper, being different already and "cobbled together" to satisfy new Federal regulations, may not have had this central bolt. Wondering whether I should put a central bobbin in the new bumper. Anyone have an opinion whether this is needed? Note: I am fitting the new bumper with no plastic chrome strip in the gap, so the gap needs to be tight. The body shop thinks the bumper may be secured OK with just the two end bolts and a body form fitting foam filling.