Rear bumper sagging 1/2 inch on OBW

[babyfacefitz]

I have noticed that my 98 OBW rear bumper is sagging a bit. I looked around the site and could not find some advice.

 

With 200,000 could some bolts be backing out and need tightning?

 

Are the bolts accessed inside or outside?

 

thanks

 

michael

[86subaru]

yes , kinda like clips, inside. might be able to fix it without taking off bumper,

[gbhrps]

86subaru,

The problem is most likely the bumper cover itself, rather than the bumper bash bar. Typically the solid metal bash bar is a heavy steel unit bolted to a metal extension or shock from each side of the car. Onto it a thick styrofoam shell is fastened, usually with plastic plugs, that fills out the shape of the rear bumper cover.

 

The rear bumper cover is fastened with plastic plugs all along its bottom and top. They are of two types typically. One just pulls out if pried, the other has a centre push pin that must be lifted out about a half inch, and then the entire plug can be pulled out of its hole.

 

The only other fasteners may be one or two 10 mm bolts at the seam between the bumper cover and the rear fender just back of the rear wheel opening.

 

If your bumper cover has dropped a half inch on one side, it bears looking into. It may not be just a broken plastic plug or two, but rather a rear bumper bracket that has rusted out, leaving you unprotected in the event of a rear end collision. Here's hoping its an easy fix rather than the alternative. Good Luck!

[86subaru]

yes that is what i wanted to say