C2 Rear Bumper Shims

[Dave K.]

Did GM ever have to shim the rear bumpers between the bumper and the outside body? In other words, were shims ever added at the factory besides those used on the inner bumper supports to frame?

Regards,
Dave Kitch
33108

[Terry F.]

Re: C2 Rear Bumper Shims

I don't think so. Put it another way, don't flex the body to the bumper braces so that the bumpers fit. Bring the bumper braces to the body, not the other way around. You car body may need to slide forward a tad. Just my thoughts, Terry

[Dave K.]

Re: C2 Rear Bumper Shims

I'm not asking about the body fit to the frame but the bumper to the body. Sliding the car backeard or forward may effect the body to frame but not the latter.

Dave Kitch

[Rob A.]

Re: C2 Rear Bumper Shims

Of the "no hit" mid year bodies I've seen with original bumpers, no shims have ever been present between the bumpers and the fiberglass nor are they called for in the factory assembly manual.

[Tom Merkel]

Re: C2 Rear Bumper Shims

Dave - On my Nov. '66 car, there were no shims of any kinds between the body and the bumper attachment points (front or rear).

After a paint job and re-chroming, however, I placed a small square piece of cork gasket material between the bumper and body attachment points to provide a little "body protection" from scratches, etc.

Tom

[Kent D.]

Re: C2 Rear Bumper Shims

I have seen shims between the bumper bracket and the frame on '66 Corvettes.

[Robert C.]

Re: C2 Rear Bumper Shims

There were NO factory shims but, alot of body shops etc. put them in to keep the body from cracking around the attachment points.

[Gene M.]

Re: C2 Rear Bumper Shims

Shims on the body between it and the bumper is not original. But it is one way of compensating for poor original fit for attitude. Another method of sorting thru bumpers till a better fit is achieved is rather costly and not practical. It appears that the fixturing to weld the mounting bracket to the bumper is not always accurate enough to fit as intended. They are sometimes tilted at the wrong angle when seated against the body. Thin custom made tapered shims can correct this but must be so as to not be obvious detectable.

[Page C.]

Re: C2 Rear Bumper Shims

Hi Dave,
The rear bumpers used shims at the inboard "U" shaped brackets between the frame and the brackets as needed. They were part # 3797482 in group 7.836. If not used, the rear panel will probably be cracked as some of these gaps can be up to a 1/4 of an inch or more.
Hope this helps,
Page Campbell