I was looking at my bumper and noticed that on one side, the edge of the plastic cover doesn’t line up with the fender. Is there a way to adjust that side in by about an inch? I’m assuming the previous owner had an accident, and the side that was hit sticks out more than the other which does not make sense but it does.

 

i had this issue when i was repairing mine after an accident. after some fiddling around to move guard back a bit i got it pretty good.
here in AUS our bumper mounts are solid. could space them out with washers if need be but not shorten them.

i saw the US ones however have a shock absorber on them. and it appears that can be adjusted screwed in and out.
i wanted to get a set over here because they look so good.
actually allowing the bumpers to move in and out to absorb impact

 

Thanks Spud. Yes, that is what I tried, but my shocks must be bent or just faulty because it didn't do anything. Ordered some more and will give it a shot when they come in. Can't wait to drop the bumper to get to them

 

I hope they are infact adjustable....
I can not confirm 100% as i do not have them.
It looks to me as tightening the nut on the back should shorten it and loosening the nut should lengthen it.
it may just adjust the dampening force tho

got any pics to show it out of alignment?

i can think of a way to potentially modify them if they are not adjustable.
now when it compresses on impact it pushes out the back.
if you were to compress it, then weld a piece of metal on you could limit how far back out it could go.
essentilly jamming in in place under slight load.

 

Here you go. Tried to make adjustments and pull it in. Nothing happen that much. I backed the nut back out and noticed that the nut backed out but the shock did not go with it. I am thinking that shock is toast

 

damn that is a long way out!.
it def could be that the shock is cooked and is over extended out.

 

G'day Phil,

The only way you're going to find the cause of the misalignment is to take the bumper off the car. It is pretty easy, only two large bolts and as it is the front bumper corrosion shouldn't be an issue. Don't forget to unclip the undertray from the front wheelwell area and also the brake cooling ducts..

If the energy absorbing mounts are no longer available you could probably mail order source the fixed mounts and just replace them.

I have included a couple of pix of my front bumper when I removed it, it is an Aussie car so it has the solid mounts.

Cheers,
Jeff.