SECTION 14

FRONT AND REAR BUMPERS

CONTENTS OF THIS SECTION

General Description ................................................ 14-1 Rear Bumpers ....................................................... 14-10

Front Bumpers ........................................................ 14-1 G Series ........................................................... 14-10
G Series .............................................................. 14-1 B Series ............................................................. 14-10
B Series ............................................................... 14-3 A Series ............................................................. 14-12
A Series .......................................................... 14-3 F Series ............................................................ 14-12
F Series ............................................................... 14-3 X Series .............................................................. 14-14
X Series .............................................................. 14-7 Polyurethane Bumper Repair ................................ 14-14

GENERAL DESCRIPTION

FRONT BUMPERS REMOVE - G SERIES (Fig. 14-1)

1. Support bumper - remove bumper hanger bar to
frame attaching bolts.
ADJUST
2. Remove bumper from vehicle.
Attachment of bumpers is such that slotted holes in the 3. Remove grille assembly.
frame and bumper to frame attachment bars provide fore
and aft, lateral, as well as vertical adjustment. 4. Remove bumper reinforcement.

Fig. 14-1 G Series Front Bumper Assembly

 --

1972 PONTIAC SERVICE MANUAL

Fig. 14-2 B Series Front Bumper Assembly

Fig. 14-3 B Series Lower Grille Assemblies

 FRONT AND REAR BUMPERS 14-3

Fig. 14-4 B Series Front Bumper Rub Strip

-
REMOVE B SERIES (Fig. 14-3, 4 ) 2. Remove valance panel.

1. Support bumper - remove bumper hanger to frame 3. Remove upper support bolts.
attaching bolts.
4. Support bumper - remove bumper hanger to bumper
2. With aid of helper remove bumper assembly. reinforcement bolts.
3. Remove bumper reinforcement.
5. Remove bumper assembly.
4. Remove grille assemblies.
6. Remove bumper reinforcement.
5. Remove bumper rub strip.
7. Remove grille assembly (Fig. 14-9)

REMOVE A SERIES (Fig. 14-6, 7)

REMOVE F SERIES FRONT BUMPER (Fig. 14-1 1)
1. Remove valance panel.

2. Support bumper - remove bumper hanger to bumper

1. Remove radiator support to bumper plastic filler.
reinforcement bolts.
2. Remove valance panel (Fig. 14-10).
3. Remove bumper assembly.
3. Disconnect headlamp connectors.
4. Remove bumper reinforcement.
4. Remove bumper to hanger brackets attaching bolts.

REMOVE GT and G.T.O. (Fig. 14-8) 5. Remove bumper assembly (Fig. 14-11).
1. Remove parking lamp assembly. 6. Remove grille assembly (Fig. 14-12).
 14-4 1972 PONTIAC SERVICE MANUAL

---. - - - - .
Fig. 14-5 B Series Front Bumper Hanger Assembly

- . --
FRONT BUMPER (REF.,

-. FRONT BUMPER
(REF'.)

/-- . 1.
VlEW "B"

FRONT FENDER
(REF.)
VlEW "A"

Fig. 14-6 A Series Valance Panel

Released by: www.78ta.com
Serial Number: 72SER-001-1033
 FRONT AND REAR BUMPERS 14-5

Fig. 14-7 A Series Front Bumper Assembly

Fig. 14-8 GT and G.T.O. Front Bumper and Valance Panel

14-6 1972 PONTIAC SERVICE MANUAL

Fig. 14-9 GT and G.T.O. Grille Assembly

Fig. 1 4 - 7 0 F Series Valance Panel

 FRONT AND REAR BUMPERS 14-7

7. Transfer headlamp assemblies and attaching brack- sheet metal. Adjust front bumper stabilizers to con-
ets. tact sheet metal.

NOTE: Always check headlight aim whenever 2. Torque all face bar to attachment bar bolts 20-30 Ib.
any F Series bumper is removed or readjusted. ft. and all attachment bar to frame bolts 60-80 lb. ft.

REMOVE - X SERIES (Fig. 14-13) BUMPER CLOSE OUT PANEL

1. Disconnect parking lamps. -
REMOVE B SERIES (Fig. 14-14)
2. Remove bumper hanger to frame attaching bolts. 1. Support bumper - remove bumper hanger bar to
frame attaching bolts.
3. Remove bumper assembly.
2. Remove bumper from vehicle.
4. Transfer parts if replacing bumper.
3. Remove bumper close-out panels.
5. Remove hanger bars from bumper.

6. Remove parking lamps.

REMOVE - X SERIES (Fig. 14-15)

1. Support bumper - remove bumper hanger bar to

REPLACE frame attaching bolts.

2. Remove bumper from vehicle.

1. To install, reverse above procedures making sure the
front bumper is properly aligned with the front end 3. Remove bumper close-out panels.

VlEW B VAN NUYS PLANT ONLY

VlEW A

Fig. 14-1 1 F Series Front Bumper Assembly

14-8 1972 PONTIAC SERVICE MANUAL

Fig. 14-1 2 F Series Grille Assembly

Fig. 14-1 3 X Series Front Bumper Assembly

 FRONT AND REAR BUMPERS 14-9

- - - - -- -

Fig. 14-14 B Series Front Bumper Close Out Panels

Fig. 14-1 5 X Series Front Bumper Close Out Panel

14-10 1972 PONTIAC SERVICE MANUAL

REPLACE 4. Support bumper - remove bumper bracket attaching

nuts.

To replace, reverse the above procedure making sure the 5. Remove all bumper brackets and license door.
front bumper is properly aligned with the front end sheet
metal. 6. Remove tail lamp assemblies.

REAR B U M P E R S REMOVE - B SERIES (EXCEPT STATION WAGON)

(Fig. 14-17)
All rear bumpers except on station wagons contain a cen-
ter opening for access to the gasoline filler. The A Series 1. Remove center bracket to frame attaching bolts.
station wagon bumpers have a step built in (dual acting
tailgate only) for easier access to the rear compartment. 2. Disconnect license plate lamp.

Shims may be required at the center hanger bar bracket 3. Support bumper and remove bumper hanger bracket
where the face bar is mounted to prevent possible rattles. to frame attaching bolts.

4. Remove bumper hanger brackets and license door.

REMOVE - G SERIES (Fig. 14-16) 5. Remove rub strips.

1. Remove license lamp assembly.

2. Disconnect tail lamps. REMOVE - B SERIES STATION WAGON (Fig.

14-18)
3. From below bumper, remove bumper hanger to body
attaching bolts. 1. Disconnect license plate lamp.
'

i
l
VIEW "A"

Fig. 14-1 6 G Series Rear Bumper Assembly

 FRONT AND REAR BUMPERS 14-11

Fig. 1 4 - 1 7 B Series Rear Bumper Assembly

- - - - - -

Fig. 1 4 - 1 8 B S e r ~ e sS t a t ~ o nWagon Rear Bumper Assembly

14-12 1972 PONTIAC SERVICE MANUAL

2. Support bumper and disconnect bumper hanger to 3. Support bumper-remove hanger bracket to frame at-
body bolts. taching bolts.

3. Remove bumper reflectors and hanger brackets. 4. Remove brackets from bumper.

5. T o remove the latch cover assembly from the station

wagon tailgate, proceed as follows:
REMOVE - A SERIES (EXCEPT STATION
WAGONS) (Fig. 14-19) a. Open tailgate.

1. Remove valance panel. b. Remove inner cover to eKpose outer latch cover
bolts.
2. Remove license lamp assembly.
c. Remove outer latch cover.
3. Disconnect tail lamps.
NOTE: The bumper is fully adjustable to per-
4. Support bumper-remove bumper hanger to body mit aligning the step opening with the striker
bolts. on body.

5. Remove brackets from bumper.

REMOVE-F SERIES (Fig. 14-21)

-
REMOVE A SERIES STATION WAGON (FIG.
14-20) 1. Remove body to bumper hanger bracket bolts from
inside trunk.
1. Disconnect all lights contained in or attached to the
bumper. 2. Remove bumper assembly.
'

2. Remove step and tread assembly 3. Remove bumper hanger brackets.

Fig. 14-19 A Series Rear Bumper Assembly

 s
FRONT AND REAR BUMPERS 14-13

- M I O R ASM. (REF.)

\
VlEW "8"
COVER ,'
VlEW A

- - - -- - - - - - -- --

Fig. 1 4 - 2 0 A Series Station Wagon Rear Bumper Assembly

REAR END FINISHING

PANEL

VlEW "A"
-- -- -- -- -- -

Fig. 14-2 1 F Series Rear Bumper Assembly

14-14 1972 PONTIAC SERVICE MANUAL
Fig. 14-22 X Series Rear Bumper Assembly
REMOVE - X SERIES (Fig. 14-22)
1. Disconnect license lamp from inside trunk.
2. Remove bumper hanger to body bolts (4 bolts each
side).
3. Remove bumper assembly.
4. Transfer parts when replacing face bar
5. Remove hanger to bumper bolts and remove hanger.
6. Remove fuel tank door assembly.
7. Remove license lamp from bumper face bar.
REPLACE
1. To install, reverse the above procedures making sure
rear bumper assembly is properly aligned.
NOTE: I f splash shields were removed at any
time during the above operations, they must be
replaced before installing bumper.
2. Torque the attachment bolts as follows:
LB. FT.
Face bar to attachment bar bolts .......................... 20-30
Attachment bar to frame bolts ............................ 60-80
Attachment bracket to body bolts ........................ 45-60
POLYURETHANE REPAIR
DESCRIPTION
The endura bumper material will withstand minor impact
and the resultant damage such as occurs in parking lots
by recovering its original shape. The paint film responds
to impact in a similar manner without cracking or split-
ting. If, however, an area of damage in the bumper does
not recover its shape, or the surface is gouged, a repair
system has been developed to restore the original shape
and appearance of the endura base material.
 FRONT AND REAR BUMPERS
FILLING
Material:
Part A - Flexible Resin
Part B - Resin Hardener
Equipment:
Putty Knife
Squeegee
Heat Lamp(s)
# 220 & # 400 Sandpaper
DA Sander w/ #80 Discs
Body File w/Holder
1. Clean the repair area with a wax, grease and silicone
removing solvent. With a DA sander adjusted to a
feathering action and fitted with a #80 grit disc,
remove the paint film in and surrounding the area to
be filled. This is necessary because the patching com-
pound will adhere only to the foam base material.
2. If the surface to be repaired is cut or gouged, use the
DA sander and a clean disc to enlarge the cut or
gouged area(s). This must be done to ensure removal
of grease, oil, or dirt from the area to be contacted by
the repair material. This action should also taper the
edges of the cut to minimize the possibility of high-
lighting the repair.
3. Mix the patching compound and hardening agent at
the prescribed portion as outlined in the procedure
enclosed in the package. The patching compound and
hardening agent should be mixed until a uniform
color is achieved.
4. Fill the repair area with the mixed compound to a
height slightly above the surrounding contour. Work
out air bubbles, if present.
5. Dress the patch to contour with a curved-tooth body
file, followed by sanding with # 220 sandpaper and
block.
6. If the patch is uneven or porous, repeat steps 4 and
5.
REFINISHING
The factory paint is of an enamel base and requires sealing
prior to the application of the service endura paint which
is of a laquer base. Therefore, the polyurethane bumper
cannot be spot refinished. The complete bumper has to be
completely refinished using a Primer (sealer) prior to the
Color Coat and Clear Top Coat. Under no circumstances,
however, should acrylic paint materials be used in refin-
ishing this bumper. Although it may appear satisfactory,
it will crack from physical contact. As mentioned earlier,
the Primer (sealer) coat, Color Coats and Clear Top Coats
that are to be used are specially formulated with an elas-
tomer vehicle so that the cured film may bend under
impact without cracking or splitting.
Material:
Sealer
Primer Surfacer
Color
Top Coat Clear
Thinner
# 220 and # 400 Sandpaper
Equipment:
Suction Spray Gun with same nozzle and air cap combina-
tion used for acrylic application.
1. Featheredge the repair area by dry-sanding with
# 220 sandpaper followed by # 400 grit sandpaper.
2. Apply a coat of Primer (sealer) over the entire
bumper as well as the repaired area.
3. Apply Primer Surfacer to build up the repair area as
required.
4. Apply a coat of Primer (sealer) over the repaired
area, overlapping onto the non repaired area to assure
complete sealing of the entire bumper.
5. Thoroughly stir the color and apply in sufficient
quantity to achieve hiding only--one dry coat fol-
lowed by a wet coat.
NOTE: I f mottling occurs, the metalljc color
control method o f color application corrects
this problem.
6. Allow the color to dry 5 to 10 minutes at room tem-
perature.
7. Thoroughly mix and apply the top coat clear, using
two coats as done previously with the color.
CA UTI0N: Wet application o f clear coats
causes considerable darkening of the color.
8. Air-dry of the clear coats require 8 hours at room
temperature. Force-dry is recommended for 1/2 hour
at 150" - 170°F.
9. Compounding reduces the gloss, for this reason, rub-
bing compound should be used only if a reduction of
gloss is desired.
NOTE: In using this material the following
cautions should be noted:
All the bumper refinishing materials are packaged at
spraying viscosity. Only if "veiling" occurs during ap-
plication will additional reduction be necessary.
Reduce these refinish materials with the special Endura
Thinner only--never use acrylic thinner.
The top coat clear material has a tendency to yellow if
subjected to prolonged, elevated temperatures (300°F).
The clear coat tends to soften the color over which it is
applied. For this reason, premature featuring (within 24
hours) of air-dried film, as in overlap of a previously re-
paired area, will TEAR and PEEL the color off the sur-
face.