Front bumper not sitting flush to wing, any advice?
Front bumper not sitting flush to wing, any advice?
I have a 6C GTI. Currently looking at some bodywork repairs to get the car good again one of which is the front bumper which does not sit flush to the shut lines of the n/s wing leaving what looks like a panel gap. The fixing tags and mounts are visible, can't tell if it is sitting outwards or needs pushing up, but brute force has not worked, the plastic simply deforms and then spring back. Any information on how this could have happened and any potential remedies or is it likely a case of getting new mounts or a new number?
The problem I am trying to resolve:
The "good" side for reference:
The problem I am trying to resolve:
The "good" side for reference:
-
- Platinum Member
- Posts: 1104
- Joined: Thu Feb 06, 2020 7:57 am
- Drives: Polo 6R 2010 1.6 TDI
- Location: budget build
Re: Front bumper not sitting flush to wing, any advice?
Did you undo the little bolt that holds the bumper to the fender?
Is the fender/ wing original?
Is the fender/ wing original?
Re: Front bumper not sitting flush to wing, any advice?
Just been looking in the arch at the fixing and noted the upper bolt of fixing point 4 is missing (see img) and the threads which connect the wheel arch to the bumper don't quite line up.
I know the last owner replaced the lights with aftermarket ones that were not compliant, and the motor trader I got it from therefore then removed them again to bring them back to spec, so it's possible that it has been off a couple of times, if a light change involves removing the bumper.
Suspecting it has not been reinstalled correctly? Either that or a fixing point has become damaged?
- Maarten
- Silver Member
- Posts: 364
- Joined: Tue Aug 11, 2015 9:45 am
- Drives: AW R-line Facelift MY2022 Vibrant Violet
- Location: The Netherlands
Re: Front bumper not sitting flush to wing, any advice?
There is one screw that goes straight up in the wheelarch.
Maybe that one is missing.
Nr 3 on the image is the one I mean.
Maybe that one is missing.
Nr 3 on the image is the one I mean.
Re: Front bumper not sitting flush to wing, any advice?
I've just been out with a socket set and removed screws 3 & 4 from the wheel arch & errant piece of trim. #3 was present, the upper screw of #4 was missing.
I then gad my friend force the bumper into it's correct position by hand while I retorqued the screws firmly but no result; the bumper returned to its prior position with the gap present. My next thing will be to get a replacement screw and see if that helps but I suspect it won't.
- Maarten
- Silver Member
- Posts: 364
- Joined: Tue Aug 11, 2015 9:45 am
- Drives: AW R-line Facelift MY2022 Vibrant Violet
- Location: The Netherlands
Re: Front bumper not sitting flush to wing, any advice?
Was the gap there before they changed the lightunits?
-
- Platinum Member
- Posts: 1104
- Joined: Thu Feb 06, 2020 7:57 am
- Drives: Polo 6R 2010 1.6 TDI
- Location: budget build
Re: Front bumper not sitting flush to wing, any advice?
The bolt goes into a platic clip. The aftermatket ones are bad.
Can you unclip the side of the bumper and post a pic of the bumper carrier. Maybe its not aligned?
Can you unclip the side of the bumper and post a pic of the bumper carrier. Maybe its not aligned?
Re: Front bumper not sitting flush to wing, any advice?
So I've just taken it down to a local guy who is experienced in detailing, painting, and bodywork and he believes that the wing has likely had a repair in the past, he noticed a couple of very small bubbles in the paint on the leading edge where it meets the bumper and that it "just doesn't feel quite right". He isn't keen on touching it as quote "It looks like it might be a dodgy repair, and I could be opening a can of worms doing work on top of somebody elses repair"
So that could be my answer right there; a panel basher has undertaken a dodgy past repair on the wing.
Certainly a few things to consider now, especially the cost-effectiveness of repairing vs resale value given I've other jobs which need doing.
So that could be my answer right there; a panel basher has undertaken a dodgy past repair on the wing.
Certainly a few things to consider now, especially the cost-effectiveness of repairing vs resale value given I've other jobs which need doing.
-
- Platinum Member
- Posts: 1104
- Joined: Thu Feb 06, 2020 7:57 am
- Drives: Polo 6R 2010 1.6 TDI
- Location: budget build
Re: Front bumper not sitting flush to wing, any advice?
Can you post a picture where the wing meets the a pillar?
- Le_Combattant
- Silver Member
- Posts: 298
- Joined: Sun Mar 07, 2021 4:04 pm
- Drives: Polo 6C 1.2 TSI 90 Cup
- Location: France
Re: Front bumper not sitting flush to wing, any advice?
Do you have the Part Number of this piece ?
Because 2 years are now passed, and I still have the same issue.
-
- Platinum Member
- Posts: 1104
- Joined: Thu Feb 06, 2020 7:57 am
- Drives: Polo 6R 2010 1.6 TDI
- Location: budget build
Re: Front bumper not sitting flush to wing, any advice?
Le_Combattant wrote: ↑Fri Mar 24, 2023 1:28 pmDo you have the Part Number of this piece ?
Because 2 years are now passed, and I still have the same issue.
N 90833801
- Le_Combattant
- Silver Member
- Posts: 298
- Joined: Sun Mar 07, 2021 4:04 pm
- Drives: Polo 6C 1.2 TSI 90 Cup
- Location: France
Re: Front bumper not sitting flush to wing, any advice?
Thanks for sharing.amer6R wrote: ↑Fri Mar 24, 2023 2:12 pmLe_Combattant wrote: ↑Fri Mar 24, 2023 1:28 pmDo you have the Part Number of this piece ?
Because 2 years are now passed, and I still have the same issue.
N 90833801
I think I will replace both because my right side of the bumper does not fit correctly with the wing too
-
- Platinum Member
- Posts: 1104
- Joined: Thu Feb 06, 2020 7:57 am
- Drives: Polo 6R 2010 1.6 TDI
- Location: budget build
Re: Front bumper not sitting flush to wing, any advice?
Thats the clip that goes into square hole in fender/wing. The bolt screws into it.
The aftermarket ones are musshy and they colaps too much when you tighten the screw. - That is my experience
The aftermarket ones are musshy and they colaps too much when you tighten the screw. - That is my experience
- Le_Combattant
- Silver Member
- Posts: 298
- Joined: Sun Mar 07, 2021 4:04 pm
- Drives: Polo 6C 1.2 TSI 90 Cup
- Location: France
Re: Front bumper not sitting flush to wing, any advice?
Your experience can help.
Because the last owner told me that the car had a little accident (on parking). A car was reversing and touch the bumper. Wing have been not touched, only bumper.
But when I bought car, the left side was not flush with the wing.
I change both bumper support (with the clips) on both side and now it's the right side...
-
- Platinum Member
- Posts: 1104
- Joined: Thu Feb 06, 2020 7:57 am
- Drives: Polo 6R 2010 1.6 TDI
- Location: budget build
Re: Front bumper not sitting flush to wing, any advice?
Is the headlight flush with the wing/ fender? If not, you can adjust the small metal bracket left to right. Its between the fender and chassis. There are two bolts.
Also on the bracket, there is a thin tab that lines up with the shape of fender.
Also on the bracket, there is a thin tab that lines up with the shape of fender.