Tonys 306 Cabby - Dead...

[insomaniac45]

So, with my list in hand, i though it time to start tackling it. 

First was to sort out the bumper. With so many minor issues with it, from scrapes to cracks to mis-alignments. I though it best to sort out the gap between the passenger wheel and the arch. 

Here it is. 



As you can see, it is very tight..... 

So first things first take it off. 

Once it was off i was able to inspect the front. And im not very happy to say the least. It looks like it has taken a hit on the tow bar. Pushing the surrounding area down and in. 

Drivers side


Passenger side. 



As you can see the plate that the bumper mounts to is slightly off kilter. Which would mean the whole front has dropped a little. Now there is nothing i can do here unless i get the car jigged. It still drives fine, and handles well. Everything else still lines up ok. 

So it is going to have to be a bodge. Well a temporary fix long term until i can get it straightened later down the line. 

Here is the bumper


The white plastic insert is damaged. it is no longer attached internally to the skin of the bumper. So i have had to go drastic here and use rivets to pull it back and hold it in place. 

The next issue was all the plastic supports on the underside are broken off. So i have had to cut metal supports to bolt in position. 

 

These were made from angle, then cut flat. I did not want the full strength of the angle, as in the even of a front end nudge, it would damage the sub frame they are attatched to, instead i am prepared to accept them damaging the bumper. 

So, with a bit of fettling, and adjustmants, and spacers, here is the gap left under the passenger light. 

Before - 



After - 


Much better. 

Now for the arch, 



Still not 100% perfect, but it is now clear of the wheel, and stand off you would not be able to tell. 

Still to do is fix the scratches and cracks in the bumper, but tbh i am thinking of modifying it as the centre grill has separated from the bottom of the bumper, this cannot be repaired without it being noticeable. so i am thinking of removing the whole black plastic section, apart from the fog lights, and filling it with mesh. Kind of like a high flow bumper. 

So, how do you think my first part has gone? 
Not as good as i was hoping, but at least she does look alot better now


Tony.