('96) Bumper repair..?

[AccidentProne]

Nothing exciting to this story which is that I bumped into the curb. So now I have a large crack in the shape of a broken semi-circle around the driver's side in the front.



I don't think it's serious enough to call for immediate fixing, but how much do you think it would cost to repair?

[Mister_Perkins]

Well, you either will need a new bumper or you can repair the one you have. To repair your current one, I would use a plastic welder, but you can fiber glass it.

If you repair it , you will need to repaint the whole bumper.

If you buy a used one it will run you anywhere between $50.00 and $150.00

it will cost about the same to repair it if you have a body shop repair it. (will be a little more expensive if you buy it and have it painted.. try to find the same color if you go to the salvage yard)

[ghettosled]

when i bought my bumper from a local you-pull-it place, it was $25 for the cover. but front bumpers are a little tough to find. i couldnt find a green one so i resorted to buying a white one and painting it. also, if you do go the used route, make sure to get an OEM bumper - i found a used aftermarket and it was a horrible fit and ended up finding a "new" used bumper to buy.

also, your front tire needs some more air.

[AccidentProne]

Thanks guys for the helpful responses.

Edit: Oh and also, how should I go about replacing the bumper if I were to do it myself? Any good how-to links? Thanks again in advance.

[Lenss Mann]

Check out http://www.certifit.com/locations.aspx?PageType=Catalog

There is one near where I live in Seattle and they have a limited selection of new body parts cheap. Last week for my 96 Camry LE I got a made in Taiwan right fender, headlight and parking light plus tax for $90. I bought a new front bumper cover for $34. I haven't put it on yet because I had to order new bumper to fender mounting brackets from the dealer so can't speak to how well it fits, but the fender and lights installed fine. Your bumper brackets to the fender should be ok and you'll have to reuse your foam (behind the cover) and license plate bracket which look ok too. That license plate bracket costs around $70 from Toyota so treat it gently.

I can't find a how to replace a bumper link specific to this Camry but I pulled the old one off and I can tell you the bumper cover bolts to the fenders on the sides and there are more screws along the bottom in the front. Get under it with a good light and you'll figure it out easy enough. Don't bend those brackets between the bumper and the fenders they cost $29 each at the dealer. Save all the little clips to re-use. Take digital photos of stuff to remember where it goes if you need to.

10mm ratchet/socket and wrench and a flat and a phillips screwdriver is all you'll need.