Rear bumper crooked

Looks like the PO might have twisted the rear bumper. The left side is lower than the right and the top has a slight downward angle. There’s no visible damage. Has anyone straightened out a bumper? I’m wondering about using a jack and piece of wood under the top of the bumper to try and jack it up and twist closer to normal.

I suppose I could turn the bolt holes on the bumper into slots and raise it up on that side and reattach the bracket.

any thoughts? I don’t want to get an aftermarket chrome one- I know those rust out quickly and this bumper is in really good shape.

thanks!

 

I have the same problem on the same side of my truck! I don’t have repair advice though. Looking forward to seeing some responses as it’s been annoying the heck out of me.

 

Same prob here, I've heard you can loosen the bolts on the bracket connecting to the frame and adjust it so its straight then retighten. One of the bolts typically seizes though so I haven't been able to try it, gotta get an impact wrench on it.

 

There's some play in the existing mounting holes, 1st try loosening all the fasteners up including the ones holding the mounting brackets to the frame. Align the bumper if possible and tighten everything up.

 

This used to happen whenever I'd hit the rear bumper offroad from the bottom. Just stand on that corner and jump, typically enough to get it to reseat.

 

just loosen the mounting bolts and re-jigger it.

 

After I lost a fight with a small tree I replaced my rear bumper 4 years ago with a non-Toyota one and it's showing no signs of rust. Paid around $120 for it shipped.

A year later I picked fight with a different tree and... lost again but the size of the dent didn't warrant another bumper replacement. And so it goes...

 

Bumpers are meant to be used. If it doesn't have any dents or scratches, it's just extra weight.

 

Thanks all- I’ll give adjusting it a try. I was just thinking of how to untwist that side first as it does angle down a little. It’s not flat on the top- angles down but if I can at least make it level then I’ll be good.

 

It may just be in a bind on that side and if you only loosen that side, it might return to correct position.

 

I paid for the whole bumper, I'm using the full bumper. Also applies to speedos and tachs.

 

if you have the time, check out a good commercial grade "ratchet strap" you know the kind used by semi truck drivers to hold down the heavy loads on a flat bed trailer? if you are able to borrow one, loosen-but don't take them out,,, the frame bolts where the bumper is bolted to the frame, wrap one end of the strap of the ratchet strap to the bumper and anchor the other end of the strap to a higher elevation/plain, a "high lift jack, a flat bed trailer, another Vehicle, a fork lift, a concrete column, ect, ect, ,,and begin slowly, taking up the slack by using the ratchet handle on the strap like a jack.. and like a jack take up the Slack and.re-tighten every bolt once you are satisfied with your alignment... lots of luck

 

After market bumper. My replacement is like that I just ignore it.

 

Some genius put tack welds on the nut side of my bracket to bumper connection at some point since 1996. Fitting a breaker bar onto the rear bolt head in that little tiny space in the bumper doesn’t really want to happen. Looks like this old bumper is gonna continue slapping the tailgate until I’m feeling extra motivated to throw more time at it than what it’s worth.

 

I'm so SORRY, I Know this hurts, but!, because we have so many Geniuses aka "McIver's School of Technology", that did not graduate or did not serve thier apprenticeship in the field, it is a wonder the whole world doesn't fall apart when the wind blows. .Ha ha LOL
I want to share two trains of thought
#1, Personally I would use a "side grinder" with a "Cut off wheel" or a Dremel tool and try to cut the "weld metal" between the frame and the Jam Nut, that is my first train of thought, Next , #2, My Next train of thought is,,, if the hole in the frame will align W/the holes in the "new bumper hanger" and the welded jam nut?....... well just loosen the bolts and allow the bumper to be flexible for alignment.. Hope this helps "Lots Of Luck" oh ya! #3 if the bumper has been torqued, dammaged, stressed, injured, struck,etc.etc. i'm sorry about that",,,but all bets are off"

P.S. not much meat left on the shoulders of that nut after welding, I would soak the bolt threads w/WD-40 for a while before i ever started to move it w/a, wrench, then be careful!!

 

I tried adjusting my crooked bumper yesterday. The right side hangs down about an inch lower than the left side. Unfortunately there wasn't enough play to lift it up much at all, the holes in the bracket no longer aligned with the frame. My bracket is bent out of shape after some drunk college kid bumped into me years ago, will prob just replace the bracket theyre cheap.

 

I’m gonna get at it all serious like later this summer once I’m out of NYC for a few weeks: dremels, PB Blaster, the whole shebang. Any wrenching is currently limited to whatever public street I’m parked on in Brooklyn. Plus, nowhere to run an extension cord and even link the old dremel grinder fixer thingy up to some ‘lectricity.

Been driving me bonkers, as I’ve got a punch list of a dozen or so little inconsequential things I’d like to do to the truck right now that could easily be banged out on a Sunday afternoon in a garage. Long story long, I’ll get this sumbitch straightened up here soon.

Yesterday I did manage to pop off the steering wheel and dismantle the multi switch to clean them contacts and get my hi beams working again. So I’m not totally sidelined on the truck tinkering because of my geography!

Oh, and that first bolt is already broke free after a good PB soak. So the project is at least started kinda sorta.

 

So, ended up being a bent left bracket and trailer hitch. Once I released the bolts- twang- it was all out of whack.

ordered a new hitch and bumper brackets.

 

Mind sizing those bolts when you have them off of there again? I might go ahead and pick up some new nuts and bolts to mount all these lest I break some when trying to pry them loose or grind off too much of the welded bits on mine.

 

I had similar happen. 5mph rear ended. We tried simply jacking it up but the forward edge of the bumper met the body sheet metal there and we had to stop. Plus the bumper was a little bowed. Adjusting the bent brackets did nothing. Bumpers are surprisingly inexpensive. Would have to buy new brackets too. I ended up with a slightly bent down bumper and $800 insurance money in my pocket.