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How do you fix a bumper gap?

I accidentally pulled too far into a parking spot and hit my front bumper against a snowbank. I didn’t notice any damage, but now there’s a gap between my bumper and the other body panels. Is there a way to fix the bumper gap?

avatar
Jack Walsh · Updated on
Reviewed by Shannon Martin, Licensed Insurance Agent.
I’m happy to hear there wasn’t any serious damage done, and fortunately, there are a few ways to fix bumper gap.
To fix bumper gap on your car, you first need to determine what’s causing the gap by examining the area around, underneath, and behind your bumper. In general, there are four causes of bumper gap. You should look for:
  1. Broken clips. The clips slide into the bumper cover clip mount, and the tip of it sticks into the body of the car.
  2. Broken mounting tabs. The tabs are plastic pieces welded onto the bumper, and they protrude into the car’s body or grille.
  3. Broken clip mounts. The clip mounts are mounted into the inside of the bumper cover, and they look like slots.
  4. Broken bolt holes. Occasionally after an impact, the bolts are ripped out of their holes and become damaged enough that the bolt won’t hold anymore.
Depending on your vehicle’s make and model and how severe the damage is, to fix bumper gap you can either:
  • Purchase and install new clips, tabs, or mounts. The parts are usually only a few dollars and can be easily replaced at home.
  • Purchase and install all-fit bumper quick releases. These quick release mounts can be bought at many auto shops and are mounted on the exterior of your vehicle to ensure everything is being tightly held together. The process to install them is usually simple and easily done at home.
  • Replace the bumper. This is the most expensive option but may be necessary if the bumper is damaged beyond repair.
If you’re not comfortable identifying the damage or performing the repairs yourself, you should visit a mechanic or body shop to have it done professionally.
Finally, if you want to save some money or make the most of your wait at the mechanic, you should download
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