Help needed with a damaged '73 front bar.

[Austin Vert]

Hi to all,

I am needing some technical advice and help regarding my recently damaged front bumper bar on my '73 Convertible.

Basically, i accidentally hit a street lamp pole doing about 5 miles per hour. The point of impact was just below the driver's side front head light, on the proud leading edge of the bar itself. That end of the bar has been pushed in about one and a half inches.

Now on the 1973 front bar setups only,you have two extension arms that are bolted to the sub frame rails. These extension arms are telescopic by design, and contain some sort of rubber bushing inside to absorb any impact damage.

My question is,does any one know if i can pull the collapsed arm out again, to make the arm the same length it was before the accident? If so, what would be the best way to go about doing that, and the best equipment to use as well? If not, where would i get another part from? To those that are in the know about this, your help would be most appreciated thank you.

Greg.

 

[mustang7173]

Austin Vert,

I do not if I would re-use the collapsed arm. It looks like it was designed to take one hit. Was it designed for 5 MPH? The arm has two hard rubber blocks with the arm sandwiched in between.

mustang7173

 

[Jeff73Mach1]

You can remove the damaged bar, cut it apart, reweld the tube and replace the rubber with it back in the proper position with casting urethane.

 

[Bill73Ragtop]

If memory serves me right, the front bumper 'extension arms' sandwiched between the rubber blocks was designed to pull out the bumper back to original position IF all the stars are in alignment. The theory was that for very mild impacts (less than 5 mph) a shop could pull it back to look approximately correct.

Not sure what would work. Chain with come-along? Unbolt everything and attack it on the workbench? I'll be curious as to how you handle it. Good Luck.

 

[Jeff73Mach1]

I don't think you'll be able to pull it out, but if you could it would leave it weak. If you don't want to cut the outer tube you could heat the inner part with an acetylene torch while the unit was hanging and it would likely fall out, but it is going to make a lot of smoke and the rubber will probably catch fire.


http://www.ebay.com/itm/1973-Mustang-Front-Bumper-Shock-Absorbers-Pair-/141921672426?hash=item210b30dcea:gBQAAOSwh-1W20u1&vxp=mtr

Here is a pair on ebay.

Don at OMS probably has some too

Replacement would likely be the better option

 

[Mister 4x4]

All this talk about hitting a street lamp and mention about a "bar." What I want to know is: were you driving to or from the bar when you hit the street lamp? :whistling: rofl

I know, I know - you guys down-under call the 'bumper' a 'bar.' Just playin' with ya.

 

[turtle5353]

Chain around bumper and tree then hit reverse! lollerz

 

[Jeff73Mach1]

A big tree- and take video

 

[OMS]

Greg

support the bumper

remove the bumper arm

If you have an engine hoist you can put a 4 x 4 or pipe under the legs. Chain the bumper arm to the 4 x 4 and the other end to the hoist lift chain. Then use the slowly try and pull it

If not

chain one end to.. a tree, a parking lot post at work, even your daily driver car

Chain the other end to another solid object with a come a long or a hand winch and pull it back into place.

 

[Mister 4x4]

Hey! Ain't nobody chainin' nuthin' to me and using an engine hoist. I hafta draw the line somewhere at my level of commitment. lollerz

 

[Don C]

All this talk about hitting a street lamp and mention about a "bar." What I want to know is: were you driving to or from the bar when you hit the street lamp? :whistling: rofl

I know, I know - you guys down-under call the 'bumper' a 'bar.' Just playin' with ya.

Yeah, there seems to be some of this story that's missing

 

[Austin Vert]

Hey Guys,

Thanks for your help and feedback. Based on what everyone's saying, i will approach this in two ways. I have just purchased a second hand set from Ebay. Also, i will use a come along setup and try and pull the bar extension back out again and see how i go with that. The feedback from you guys is a little mixed as well. Some say this can be done, some say no it can't. I will try it anyway, and let you all know how i get on. Scott suggested maybe tack welding the arm if it can be pulled out to freeze it's position only if by pulling it out, the bar extension is weakoned or permanately damaged. I'll let you all know in due course.

As to the funny side - yeah, i was stupid and let my concentration lapse for a brief moment when i was visiting a friend last weekend in the Vert. I was trying to find his place and got lost in a cluster of narrow back streets. Trying to do three point turns and tight manouvers got me into trouble with nudging a street lamp post about 5 miles per hour. Not so funny. I had not been drinking either. I was not a happy boy as you can imagine.

Thanks again guys and i'll stay in touch on this one.::thumb::

Greg.

 

[Mister 4x4]

G-Day Greg!

Just bustin' yer balls at a mate's rate. I'll bet you were mad as a cut snake. No worries, though... piece of piss! You got this. London to a brick, she'll be apples in no time. Bloody Oath, Mate! ::thumb::

OK, so who opened their lunch, anyway? :-/

 

[jbojo]

I tried searching all over the internet to find out how it was designed to work or constructed but found nothing concrete on the subject. I did see a mention of collapsible foam mentioned and was thinking what would happen if you pulled the bracket out and instead of welding it use some expandable foam that you get for insulating your house and filling the cavity with that. If you hit something it would collapse the foam and provide some shock absorbing effect. It would also keep the bumper pushed out again. Thoughts?

 

[Don C]

I was thinking the same thing. The kind that's not water cleanup is firmer setting than the water clean up type, and probably the one I would use. All it would take is a 3/16", or so, hole drilled in it.

 

[Jeff73Mach1]

The rubber would be displaced and not "lost" so if it pulls out it might be fine. The design is old, the parts are old, the likelihood that a future collision might cause more damage is also a concern. That is why I suggested casting urethane to restore the part.

If it could be pulled out I personally would just drill through the part in two places in weld in some 3/8 rod to make the part strong enough to handle a hit and weak enough to collapse on a major impact.

We probably are kidding ourselves if we think these bumper systems are going to protect us in the event of a serious collision.

 

[Austin Vert]

Thanks John, Don, and Jeff,

for your ongoing feedback and help. It's much appreciated. I understand what you are telling me here, and your suggestions sound plausible, but what i can't get my head around and don't understand is the inner design of this part. I have never had anything to do with a part that was designed in this fashion.

I am trying to imagine what the inner setup with the rubber bush thing would look like. I think that if i could understand the inner design and setup, it would help solve the problem of what you can or can't do with this part once it is damaged. Anyway, as i said, i'll have a good look at the whole thing soon, and get back to the Forum to let members know how i got on. BTW - The fact that these bar extensions can't be purchased as a decent repro part is yet another example of the hardship it is owning a 123 Mustang. The lack of a wide variety of available parts makes it very hard for an owner/restorer of our cars. So add front bar extensions to the big list of parts you can't get - fantastic.:shootself:

Hi Eric,

I like your humor, and had a chuckle at your sarcastic comments. No worries mate, she's all bonza, beauty, grouse and rippa!! Luv ya gear!

Now i know you're not a ridgy didge, down home,Texas boy, but here's a few tips to get that accent soundin' reeeeal guude!




Greg.

 

[DK73]

Wow that one is so Right Greg[FACE WITH TEARS OF JOY][THUMBS UP SIGN][WINKING FACE] Wee all have a accent where ever you live in the world So yes as he's statement that movies don't always be shown the right accent [TONGUE][FACE WITH TEARS OF JOY] but Dame he's good! Thanks for sharing this with us all Greg [WINKING FACE] Well I loved your English accent when I was down in Sydney! My older sister has been in there too now[TWO HEARTS] She is on a big ship for 4 month around the world They are now on the way to Perth... [TONGUE][TWO HEARTS] Regards Lars

So I'm a proud owner of one Mach 1 73! Regards Lars DK73

 

[Jeff73Mach1]

inner bar is smaller than the diameter of the tube. the rubber acts to bond the two parts together. Upon impact the inner bar pushed back in the rubber.