Front Bumper Impact Bar - Chevrolet Corvette 1997 Complete Manual

Front Bumper Impact Bar

Fig. 3.1 — Ultra High Strength Steel Beam
Fig. 3.2 — Adapter Clamp
for Conventional Anchoring System
Fig. 3.3 — Note Location of Welds for
Reinstallation
1997/98 Chevrolet Corvette Collision Repair
3-2
The front impact bar (bumper beam) is made of
Ultra-High Strength steel. The impact bar is MIG
welded to the mild steel frame rails. The impact
bar can be repaired if damage excludes kinks, or
damage which would require the use of heat to
straighten.
Replacing the bumper bar requires special
procedures to access the welds attaching the
bumper bar to the frame rails. This procedure
was developed to facilitate this repair while
maintaining the integrity of the bumper system.
The front bumper impact bar as supplied for
service includes riv-nuts pre-installed (Fig. 3.1)
for component mounting: (SIR sensors,
fog-lamps, energy absorber, etc.) Replacement
riv-nuts are available from Kent Moore Tools
(Riv-Nut Kit: P/N J42151-8MS), if needed.
— REMOVE OR DISCONNECT —
1
2
Frame Adapter
Clamp
3
4
5
6
Remove all panels and components to gain
access to the impact bar. This includes the
bumper cover, impact absorbers, and fog
lamps.
Notice: To increase accessibility to the
front impact bar, rotate the front brake
ducts and manually raise the headlamps.
Visually inspect and restore as much of the
damage as possible to specifications using
three-dimensional measuring procedures.
Notice: Use Kent Moore Tools Frame
Adapter Clamp (P/N J42058) to secure the
vehicle if pulling and straightening
is required (Fig. 3.2).
Notice: Be sure to protect vehicle
components before cutting or grinding on
the bumper impact bar or frame rails.
Remove or reposition wiring as necessary to
avoid damage.
Cut the welds around the perimeter of the
frame rail (fishmouth) ends (Fig. 3.3). Cut
welds favoring the impact bar side of the
joint. DO NOT cut into the frame rails.
Remove the damaged impact bar.
Extract pieces of the impact bar left attached
to the rail ends (Fig. 3.4). Keep the perimeter
and shape of the rail end (fishmouth) as
original as possible.