if your bumper is uneven because one or both sides are pushed in, this is for you.

used for example, is my 1980 datsun 200sx.



the theory:



similar to how your vehicle sits on gas charged shock absorbers, so sits your bumperon gas charged shocks as well. depending on who you talk to, this is called a bumpershock or bumper absorber. the bumper shock is mounted between the bumper's core bar and the vehicle's frame. the bumper shock compresses and absorbs much of the impact experienced in low speed collisions. with dual purpose, this preventsdamage to the bumper itself and also to the vehicle's frame.



warnings and materials:

because these absorbers are gas charged you want to be careful when handlingor removing one which has been depressed. if the shock were to suddenly returnto its original position, it would do so with force. approach it with proper caution and you should have no issue.

the setting : an ample work spacethe tools : ratcheting socket wrench, a 17mm socket and a 10mm hex driver socket.

the bumper bar is mounted directly onto the shocks via one 10mm hex bolt per side.the bolt runs through an end piece which mounts at 4 points and is removable from the bumper bar. for you to be able to remove the bumper, it should only require theremoval of the 10mm hex bolts and not the end piece itself.



get underneath the bumper, and using your ratchet with the 10mm hex socket,locate and then loosen the hex bolts securing the bumper bar to the shock absorbers.



when you remove the hex bolts, remember that if your bumper is likemine, there will be wiring for the turn signals and running lights which you will have tounplug from the harness before fully removing the bumper from the absorber mounts.



once the bumper is removed, observe the shock positioning, you should easily be ableto recognize which side is off by the position of the shock body in the mount.

some pictures shown for reference of damage :



due to the slight difference in length between the 1980 and 1983 bumper shockI will be replacing both sides as opposed to just the damaged one.

locate the four 17mm bolts securing the bumper shock's flat mount to the vehicle frame.



using your 17mm socket remove all 4 bolts, keeping your face out of the shock'sline of fire.



to replace is simply reversing the removal procedure.



and here it is with the bumper back on, shown against the original for reference.



hope this helps someone, good luck!