Rear Bumper Impact Bar - Chevrolet Corvette 1997 Complete Manual

Rear Bumper Impact Bar

The rear bumper (impact bar) 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 rear bumper impact bar as supplied for
service includes riv-nuts pre-installed (Fig. 3.68)
for energy absorber mounting. Replacement
riv-nuts are available from Kent Moore Tools
(Riv-Nut Kit: P/N J42151), if needed.
— REMOVE OR DISCONNECT —
1 Remove all panels and components to gain
access to the rear impact bar. This includes
removing the rear bumper cover, energy
absorber, and the mufflers if necessary.
Notice: Disconnect exhaust at the bolted
joint just forward of the rear axle. From
inside the vehicle remove trim panels and
pull back the carpeting inside the rear
compartment area.
Important: Save any and all brackets,
mounting studs, and accessories for
transfer to the new rear compartment
panel.
2 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. 3.69).
Notice: The frame rails and bumper impact
bars must be serviced as required, and
returned to three-dimensional coordinates
before any SMC repairs are attempted.
3 Remove or reposition wiring as necessary to
avoid being damaged.
Fig. 3.68 — Ultra High-Strength Steel Beam
Fig. 3.69 — Adapter Flamp for Conventional
Anchoring System
Fig. 3.70 — Mig Stitch Welded to Frame Rails
1997/98 Chevrolet Corvette Collision Repair 3-33