TheSamba.com :: View topic - Stainless steel front bumper holes not aligning?

Sat May 03, 2025 5:14 pm

Hi guys, does anybody remember a build log where somebody had problems Getting the holes on the car body and holes in the bumper end to line up. I think. I think he bent the bolts ?
I searched bumpers as a topic but it did not come up, so I’m wondering if it was in a build thread.
Appreciate any help!
Russell

Sun May 04, 2025 2:40 am

russelltatedotcom wrote: Hi guys, does anybody remember a build log where somebody had problems Getting the holes on the car body and holes in the bumper end to line up. I think. I think he bent the bolts ?
I searched bumpers as a topic but it did not come up, so I’m wondering if it was in a build thread.
Appreciate any help!
Russell

Yes it's one longstanding fault that could have easily been corrected at source at least 10 years ago. Chris (kiwighia68) had the same problem and came to this workaround: https://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?p=7817218#7817218

Sun May 04, 2025 7:33 am

You'll have a much easier time getting everything to line up if you assemble the bumper on the car, rather than assembling the bumper off the car.
I had no problem with the end bolts doing it this way. See #4 in my list below.

Era Vulgaris wrote: Finally got my PTT bumpers installed. Here's my take on these. I think alot of the fitment problems might come from people assembling the bumper off the car, and then trying to install it as one piece. I see alot of photos where people are doing that, and I found it to be quite impossible. It was much easier to assemble them on the car.

Order of operations:
1. Install bumper brackets, leave bolts loose enough for adjustment.
2. Install bracket covers. It's way easier keeping the cover-to-body seals in place doing these one at a time.
3. Install center bumper blade onto brackets. Keep bolts loose enough for adjustment.
4. Install outer bumper blades one at a time. Attach the end bolt through the fender first keeping it loose, then attach it to the center blade with the carriage bolts. Keep the carriage bolts loose enough for adjustment.
5. Install the lower carriage bolt from the inside. I know this is technically wrong, but it'll allow you to install the spacer without having to modify it (see pic below)
6. Install overriders
7. Align everything and tighten up all the bolts. Since all the bolts were kept loose during assembly, as you tighten them the bumper brackets will flex and conform to any inherent mis-alignments of the mounting plates.

Are these bumpers perfect? No, but they're pretty damn nice. And for $650 you can't beat them, considering that re-chroming originals is like $3k these days.

So here is where you can see the lower carriage bolt is upside down. Saves you the hassle of modifying the spacer. I know it's technically wrong, but unless someone is under your car, they'll never know because it's hidden by the overrider. And like 99% of people that see your car will never notice.