rear bumper bracket attachment to mount

[DHVW]

I had some guys sand my 56 and help with prep for painting this weekend. I didn't realize until after they had left that they had removed the rear bumper brackets. In looking to reattach them, I see that the left quarter panel has bolt holes matching the holes in the mount, but the right quarter panel has no holes whatsoever.

So how, exactly, are the brackets correctly attached to the mounts? And with what size hardware?

[Dan22]

If I understand correctly what you are talking about is the pressed sheet metal channel with two weld nuts on it, those are spot welded precisely to the rear quarter. No hardware whatsoever.

There are several threads on here for repairs in this area. Perhaps search for some of those for better understanding. They can be plug welded on too.

If you are talking about the brackets that protrude through the fender holes, those of course bolt on (to that channel).

Enjoy! Post some pictures too!
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1-0900722 die langsame grüne Schildkröte
https://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=765074

[Busstom]

The fasteners are M8 x 1.25 pitch Hex Head Cap Screws.

The rearmost ones are about 22 mm in length.

The frontmost are about 28-30 mm in length, they are longer because they also secure the overrider brackets along with the bumper brackets (the round/pinched overrider brackets stack against the outside faces of the bumper brackets).

[DHVW]

I'm trying to figure out whether the bolts which attach the bumper bracket to the bracket mount, as shown in the pic from the Bentley manual, also go through the quarter panel.

The driver side quarter panel has holes that line up with the holes in the bracket mount.

The passenger side does not.

[Dan22]

I see. No they did not originally go through. The channel bracket has an internal weld nut they thread into. Drilling through was likely done due to a broken weld nut or stripped out. As you can see, bolting through just smashes the quarter panel, and can never result in a tightly mounted bumper.

I would recommend a proper fix is to replace the weld nuts somehow, either by replacing the nut itself, or the whole bracket which are available. Keep in mind the generic aftermarket type are the design for later cars, and not for early ones like your 56, if you want exact duplicate of original.
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1-0900722 die langsame grüne Schildkröte
https://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=765074

[DHVW]

I see the problem. Thanks.

[VW_Jimbo]

These from Autocraft are great!

http://www.autocrafteng.co.uk/shop/beetle_63/panel...52-60_290/
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Jimbo

There is never enough time to do it right the first time, but all the time necessary the second time!

[DHVW]

Thanks! I also see that WW sells a quarter panel with the mount attached. Is replacing the full quarter panel easier than just replacing the mount?

[Second Air Force]

I purchased a driver's rear mount from Wolfparts and it was excellent. In my case it was much easier to replace only the mount as my 1/4 panel is in perfect shape. In my opinion it should be similar in your case (unless there is rust lurking under the old mount) with the exception of plugging the two holes in your quarter panel.

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1956 Standard Sedan

[VW_Jimbo]

[DHVW]

Wow! Thanks for the warning.

[sunroof]

You can not do better than wolf parts. I have replaced a few rear bumper bracket mounts and they are 99% flawless.

Don
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Better and better mistakes!