What are automotive bumpers and where are they located?

The bumpers play a minor role in your vehicle’s safety and a major role in its cosmetic curb appeal. The bumpers are found at the very front and very rear of your car or truck. They are engineered to absorb minor impacts and designed to give your vehicle its own particular look. 

Bumpers absorb impact in collisions below five miles per hour—parking lot speeds essentially. They protect your automobile’s headlights and tail lights, the radiator, and other nearby parts from being damaged. That allows minor fender benders to remain minor, by keeping you from having to make various repairs just because you backed into the neighbors’ mailbox. The bumpers also, of course, give your vehicle its distinctive look, by adorning the front and rear of the body. 

Bumpers have changed a lot over automotive history. Older bumpers were chrome plated metal pieces mounted to the front of the frame with brackets. In the early 1970s, federal regulations mandated changes in bumper design. Urethane bumpers started to become more common. These plastic bumpers or fascias are usually reinforced with metal supports and a section of Styrofoam known as an impact absorber. Most cars and light trucks today use urethane bumpers, although many trucks do continue to have metal bumpers.

How do I know if my front or rear bumper needs to be replaced?

If you bump into things, then you may do some damage to your front or rear bumpers. It’s the bumper’s job to absorb these little impacts, which means it can often come away a little worse for wear. Bumpers can get scratched, dinged up, or even dented by sticks, stones, and other road debris. Metal bumpers can also corrode and rust. 

Buckling or large dents in the bumper are a good sign that you should replace your bumper. For minor scratches and dings, you may choose to ignore them or to repair them. Often though, replacing an entire bumper cover can be easier than fixing a damaged one.

Can I replace a front or rear bumper myself?

Even a novice do-it-yourselfer can replace a front or rear bumper. An assistant can be a big help on this repair, though. That’s not because it’s complicated, but just because bumpers are so big and unwieldy—they are, after all, about as wide as your car or truck. 

Your bumpers are probably the easiest parts to access on your entire vehicle, but not necessarily the easiest to remove. To remove a bumper cover, you’ll just have to remove all the fasteners that hold it to the body. These may be screws, bolts, or plastic clips. There may be fasteners inside the wheel wells or, in the case of rear bumper covers, inside the trunk. You will want to have your assistant hold the bumper cover as you remove the fasteners so that it doesn’t fall down. Alternatively, you could support the bumper cover with a floor jack and let it down slowly. Disconnect any wiring running to lights in the bumper (parking lights or fog lights, for example). You’ll then have to remove any lights or other accessories connected to the bumper cover. Mount them into the replacement bumper cover and install the replacement bumper cover by reversing the removal procedure. 

Removing a metal bumper or the bumper structure behind a plastic bumper cover is pretty similar. Remove the fasteners from the bumper braces, have your assistant help you pull it off or use a floor jack, and install the new one. You will, of course, have to remove the bumper cover before removing the bumper structure behind it. 

Need a replacement bumper or other bumper parts for your car or truck?

Has your front or rear bumper—or both—seen better days? Are you tired of the lackluster front end on your car or truck? Or perhaps some of your other bumper parts, like end caps, bellows, braces, impact strips, etc., need to replaced? If so then you have come to the right place! At 1A Auto, you will a large selection of aftermarket front and rear bumpers, as well as other bumper parts, for many makes and models, and at great prices. Installing a replacement front or back bumper will undoubtedly restore your peace of mind, as well as the appearance of your car or truck.

We also make shopping for replacement front and rear bumper parts—such as painted front bumpers, bumper bellows, reflectors, end caps, impact strips, and much more—for your car, truck, SUV or van easy. At 1A Auto, we're here to help you select the right parts for your vehicle! Call our customer service toll free at 888-844-3393 if you have any questions about our aftermarket front and rear bumper parts, warranty, compatibility or to purchase, or you can buy online. Replace that damaged or missing bumper with a great looking replacement, or those other bumper parts that need replacing, and bring back the original personality to your vehicle!