After 10 years of abuse, I have the following rear bumper experience and recommendations.. Buy the bumper rub strip "plugs" at your local dealer - you cannot get them anywhere else. - for $1.50 each. Keep 8-10 on hand. Attach your bumper end caps (average life - 5 years) with carriage bolts instead of using the clips. They tend to fall off and, at $40.00 apiece or so, that gets expensive. Remove end caps, rub strips and four bolts holding bumper (mine is diesel - so watch the accumulated particulates). Take large double jack, brace bumper on assorted (real -- presswood won't do) logs and beat into shape again while thinking pleasant thoughts about children (I have eight), ex-wives (two each), mother-in-laws (again, two each) or coworkers (lots). Remember, there is a natural curve in the bumper - it is not straight. Reverse procedure to install. I do this about every 18 months. By the way, living in El Paso across the river from Mexico (and having worked on both sides of the border), Mexico is a hot bed of VW's. Of course, they have the pre-Vanagon Station Wagon with a monstrous plastic radiator on the front for their VW "buses". Mexico never imported the Vanagon. David in El Paso |
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