01 Camry rear bumper, repair or replace?

[importcar]

I was hit from behind on the freeway. My rear bumper has large cracks in the paint and an indentation left by the other car's license plate. Should I take it to a shop for repair or get a aftermarket bumper and attempt to do it myself? How much work is involved in replacing a bumper?

[Mike Gerber]

If you have an indentation you will also need to replace the "bumper support" underneath, along with what is called the "bumper cover". The bumper cover is what you see from the outside and what you are calling the bumper. The bumper support is a large piece of styrafoam like material that gives the bumper cover it's shape. You will have to have the bumper cover painted to match the car, so a body shop will be needed for some part of the job. I would guess that the whole job at a body shop would run around $550-$600 using OEM Toyota parts. The bumper cover and bumper support aren't hard to replace yourself, so it's possible to have a body shop just paint the bumper cover for you, and you do the removal of the old parts and the installationof the new parts. You just have to find the right shop that will do just the painting.

Mike

[skewe]

If the other dude's insurance is paying for it. Take it to the dealership.

You are looking at 700-800 for replacement at the dealership.

Never fixed crack before. It might cost the same

[importcar]

Thanks for the replies. I've verbally agreed not to contact his insurance because he's a teenager. So I will do this myself and he'll pay out of his own pocket. I am thinking about getting a painted bumper cover off of ebay. Do those have flex additives added to the paint?

[CamNub]

Bumpers are pretty easy to repair. It sounds like he just hit you lightly, so I think the supports should be ok..

The cheapest option would probably be to pick one up at the junkyard, and then get it painted at a shop, or to paint it yourself (Dupli color, my friend is doing this, but i've yet to see how it came out).

[importcar]

The estimator said the support absorbed the impact and it is most likely damaged so it should be replaced. I want to take the bumper cover off to take a look. Besides the screws and clips on the outside, are there any on the inside that needs to be removed to get the cover off?

[CamNub]

^It's not that hard. Usually, they don't hide any clips/screws, but if there is one, you'll know it.

[Mike Gerber]

Download the generation 4 Toyota factory service manual stickied at the top of the General Camry Discussion Forum. It should have the information you need under the body section.

Mike

[mr.pringles]

if its serious, and if you got the money, i say go for a bodykit

[importcar]

Originally Posted by Mike Gerber

Download the generation 4 Toyota factory service manual stickied at the top of the General Camry Discussion Forum. It should have the information you need under the body section.

Mike

Thanks that is exactly what I needed. I downloaded everything because I plan on doing maintenance myself in the near future and the manual will come in handy.

No bodykits for me. I prefer the low key look.

[skewe]

Originally Posted by importcar

Thanks for the replies. I've verbally agreed not to contact his insurance because he's a teenager. So I will do this myself and he'll pay out of his own pocket. I am thinking about getting a painted bumper cover off of ebay. Do those have flex additives added to the paint?

Bad idea.

My friend was rear ended. The person said he will pay, etc. Est cost was like 1200. Paid $100 and now it's hard to get in touch wiht the person. Not answering phone, etc..

Let the insurance handle it. After 1 week, the insurance will not help with yuor claim or pay anything..

[importcar]

Does your friend have his home address? Would it be too late to file a police report?

The kid that hit me seemed honest and he didn't strike me as the type that would hit and run. So I have my fingers crossed that he'll come through wwith the money.