Rear-Ended; New Bumper?
07-08-2009 | 07:18 AM
#16
Guest
Posts: n/a
Re: Rear-Ended; New Bumper?
jim beam <me@privacy.net> wrote in
news:LuOdnZ8upbpNnMnXnZ2dnUVZ_uydnZ2d@speakeasy.ne t:
> afaik, honda build to 5mph
I think you're right and I'm at least out-of-date in my information.
According to www.riv.ca, the government-licensed agency that administers
the importation of foreign vehicles into Canada, 1994-and-up Hondas are
admissible without bumper modifications. Since Elle's '93 is the same as
the '94, this means her bumpers are obviously 5mph ones.
Since cars that are 15 model-years old or older are importable into Canada
without any restrictions or modifications, they are no longer listed with
RIV, so I can't check to see if earlier models had 2.5mph bumpers.
However, it's still passing strange that Canada and the United States
remain, since 1973, the only countries in the entire world to have bumper
standards at all.
--
Tegger
The Unofficial Honda/Acura FAQ
www.tegger.com/hondafaq/
news:LuOdnZ8upbpNnMnXnZ2dnUVZ_uydnZ2d@speakeasy.ne t:
> afaik, honda build to 5mph
I think you're right and I'm at least out-of-date in my information.
According to www.riv.ca, the government-licensed agency that administers
the importation of foreign vehicles into Canada, 1994-and-up Hondas are
admissible without bumper modifications. Since Elle's '93 is the same as
the '94, this means her bumpers are obviously 5mph ones.
Since cars that are 15 model-years old or older are importable into Canada
without any restrictions or modifications, they are no longer listed with
RIV, so I can't check to see if earlier models had 2.5mph bumpers.
However, it's still passing strange that Canada and the United States
remain, since 1973, the only countries in the entire world to have bumper
standards at all.
--
Tegger
The Unofficial Honda/Acura FAQ
www.tegger.com/hondafaq/
07-08-2009 | 09:44 AM
#17
Guest
Posts: n/a
Re: Rear-Ended; New Bumper?
Yours is good info, fellows.
I googled a bit on the purpose of the styrofoam "absorber" (as it is
called on parts sites). I thought this was interesting (from
http://www.car-stuff.com/toyotabumperabsorber.htm):
"... it is the Toyota bumper absorber that is usually made of
Styrofoam or plastic that is positioned in between the bumper cover
and the reinforcement to help strengthen the capacity of the bumper to
absorb the impact created during collisions. In most cases, bumpers
alone could not sustain the impact created during collisions, which is
why a bumper assembly should be completed for maximum protection. If
until now your bumper assembly is still lacking a Toyota bumper
absorber, better equip your auto with one now or you probably would
regret later on that you haven't. Bumpers are able to bounce the force
back to the object that has collided with your auto instead of that
force directly hitting your vehicle."
A lot of helmet designs use styrofoam, for one, so the above seems
reasonable.
Seems there is a fair amount of chatter and dispute about whether the
metal bumpers of say the 60s were better insofar as cutting down on
damage to the vehicle. Maybe so but ISTM manufacturers also sought to
lighten cars to achieve better gas mileage. Tradeoffs and all.
I googled a bit on the purpose of the styrofoam "absorber" (as it is
called on parts sites). I thought this was interesting (from
http://www.car-stuff.com/toyotabumperabsorber.htm):
"... it is the Toyota bumper absorber that is usually made of
Styrofoam or plastic that is positioned in between the bumper cover
and the reinforcement to help strengthen the capacity of the bumper to
absorb the impact created during collisions. In most cases, bumpers
alone could not sustain the impact created during collisions, which is
why a bumper assembly should be completed for maximum protection. If
until now your bumper assembly is still lacking a Toyota bumper
absorber, better equip your auto with one now or you probably would
regret later on that you haven't. Bumpers are able to bounce the force
back to the object that has collided with your auto instead of that
force directly hitting your vehicle."
A lot of helmet designs use styrofoam, for one, so the above seems
reasonable.
Seems there is a fair amount of chatter and dispute about whether the
metal bumpers of say the 60s were better insofar as cutting down on
damage to the vehicle. Maybe so but ISTM manufacturers also sought to
lighten cars to achieve better gas mileage. Tradeoffs and all.
07-08-2009 | 06:01 PM
#18
Guest
Posts: n/a
Re: Rear-Ended; New Bumper?
Elle <honda.lioness@gmail.com> wrote in news:a337a8ab-374f-4a4f-bb12-
4bf9217e4d1c@y17g2000yqn.googlegroups.com:
>
> Seems there is a fair amount of chatter and dispute about whether the
> metal bumpers of say the 60s were better insofar as cutting down on
> damage to the vehicle. Maybe so but ISTM manufacturers also sought to
> lighten cars to achieve better gas mileage. Tradeoffs and all.
>
>
Around the mid-'60s, automakers started turning their bumpers into what
might be more accurately termed "decorative chrome bars". Insurance claims
for minor body damage began escalating about that time. Tired of the
claims, and alarmed by the sleek, form-fitting "bumpers" installed on cars
by the late '60s, insurance companies lobbied the federal government for
impact standards in order to limit minor damage claims.
From what I understand, the nascent safety zealots jumped in at the same
time, claiming that safety was being undermined by lots of people driving
around with broken headlights on account of the poor bumpers.
The result of their combined efforts was the 5-mph bumper impact
regulations, first imposed on the front bumpers of 1973 MY cars (except for
hardtops and convertibles, for some odd reason, which got one more year to
comply).
The first energy-absorbing bumpers were essentially simple "logs" mounted
on cylindrical struts that were filled with fluid of some kind, and were
designed to collapse under impact. These assemblies were bulky and heavy
(and usually ugly).
As the CAFE regulations of 1975 got tighter and tighter over the years,
automakers sought to make the original steel/aluminum battering-ram bumpers
lighter and lighter. This is why we now have hybrid flexible/rigid bumpers:
Light foam simply replaced the old heavy cylindrical struts.
Your rebar -- the original "bumper" prior to 1973 -- is now rigidly mounted
to the body shell, just like a 1972 model, but is now buried under a $400
plastic skin ($800 including paint).
It's my understanding that insurance companies never really did get their
hoped-for claims reductions: Better bumpers meant even /less/ careful
drivers. Minor impact damage went down, but just about every other kind of
collision damage went way up. A mixed blessing, to say the least.
--
Tegger
The Unofficial Honda/Acura FAQ
www.tegger.com/hondafaq/
4bf9217e4d1c@y17g2000yqn.googlegroups.com:
>
> Seems there is a fair amount of chatter and dispute about whether the
> metal bumpers of say the 60s were better insofar as cutting down on
> damage to the vehicle. Maybe so but ISTM manufacturers also sought to
> lighten cars to achieve better gas mileage. Tradeoffs and all.
>
>
Around the mid-'60s, automakers started turning their bumpers into what
might be more accurately termed "decorative chrome bars". Insurance claims
for minor body damage began escalating about that time. Tired of the
claims, and alarmed by the sleek, form-fitting "bumpers" installed on cars
by the late '60s, insurance companies lobbied the federal government for
impact standards in order to limit minor damage claims.
From what I understand, the nascent safety zealots jumped in at the same
time, claiming that safety was being undermined by lots of people driving
around with broken headlights on account of the poor bumpers.
The result of their combined efforts was the 5-mph bumper impact
regulations, first imposed on the front bumpers of 1973 MY cars (except for
hardtops and convertibles, for some odd reason, which got one more year to
comply).
The first energy-absorbing bumpers were essentially simple "logs" mounted
on cylindrical struts that were filled with fluid of some kind, and were
designed to collapse under impact. These assemblies were bulky and heavy
(and usually ugly).
As the CAFE regulations of 1975 got tighter and tighter over the years,
automakers sought to make the original steel/aluminum battering-ram bumpers
lighter and lighter. This is why we now have hybrid flexible/rigid bumpers:
Light foam simply replaced the old heavy cylindrical struts.
Your rebar -- the original "bumper" prior to 1973 -- is now rigidly mounted
to the body shell, just like a 1972 model, but is now buried under a $400
plastic skin ($800 including paint).
It's my understanding that insurance companies never really did get their
hoped-for claims reductions: Better bumpers meant even /less/ careful
drivers. Minor impact damage went down, but just about every other kind of
collision damage went way up. A mixed blessing, to say the least.
--
Tegger
The Unofficial Honda/Acura FAQ
www.tegger.com/hondafaq/
07-08-2009 | 07:38 PM
#19
Guest
Posts: n/a
Re: Update & Happy Ending Re: Rear-Ended; New Bumper?
"Tegger" <invalid@invalid.inv> wrote in message
news:Xns9C41D76759105tegger@208.90.168.18...
> Elle <honda.lioness@gmail.com> wrote in news:e9dad137-9980-4a03-aeba-
> 5762cb9543e2@32g2000yqj.googlegroups.com:
>
>> dan <d...@nospam.net> wrote:
>> snip but all read and found helpful
>>> It is fairly easy to remove the rear bumper to see what's going on under
>>> there.
>>
>> I checked everything people listed here. The factory shop manual has a
>> single page for directions on how to get the bumper cover and
>> styrofoam absorber apart, and it is dead-on correct in what (easily
>> accessed) screws and bolts to remove. Everything looks good! I am
>> amazed that the styrofoam absorber is not cracked nor does it appear
>> deformed. At most, the bottom 3/8-inch of the styrofoam has small
>> indentations from where gravel from the road accumulated over the
>> years between the styrofoam and bumper cover. Then the gravel got
>> pushed into the styrofoam some, either from this rear-ending or lesser
>> ones over the years. The bumper beam looks fine.
>>
>> I guess the styrofoam, the bumper beam, and the car moving some upon
>> collision took the force (in the vein of Tegger's post). Kudos to
>> Honda engineers or whoever sets standards for bumpers. A little more
>> touchup paint here and there; some Armor All, and I think my Civic
>> will be good to go.
>>
>> Thanks again Jim, Tegger and Dan.
>
>
>
> Happy endings are always nice.
>
>
> --
> Tegger
>
> The Unofficial Honda/Acura FAQ
> www.tegger.com/hondafaq/
Yeah, you really have to check them over after a rear-ender. My wife got it
in her 92 Seville. The bumper was shoved forward on one side and some other
damage. I went to the Caddy dealer to pick it up after it was supposededly
fixed. The bumper was replaced and looked fine. I got down on the ground and
looked underneath. There was a small shock absorber on each side that went
to the bumper. The one on the impact side had been damaged and compressed.
Did they replace it? Hell no, just shoved a bunch of shims behind it and
rebolted it. I was pissed, raised hell and got it fixed right. Talk about
shade tree mechanics, at a Caddy Dealership, no less. Really tightened
my Van Allen belt !
07-08-2009 | 10:03 PM
#20
Guest
Posts: n/a
Re: Update & Happy Ending Re: Rear-Ended; New Bumper?
On Jul 7, 3:19 pm, Brian Smith <Hali...@NovaScotia.Canada> wrote:
> Elle wrote:
> > Postscript: On reflecting on this accident and preventing it in the
> > future, and from reading Dan's post, I think one of the lessons here
> > is when there is a green light yet people ahead of one's car are not
> > moving, glance at the rear-view mirror throughout and see what people
> > in the back are doing. Maybe scoot the car up a little until people
> > start moving.
>
> Yes moving forward when the vehicles in front of your vehicle haven't
> moved would increase the odds of having your vehicle pushed into the
> vehicle ahead of yours. Increasing the amount of damage to your vehicle
> and involving other vehicles and people in the collision.
good rule of thumb when stopped, always leave enough space in front of
your car that you can see at least the rear bumper of the car in front
of you, so that a rear impact won't totally squish your car. you might
even be able to duck sideways out of the way. practice in your
driveway at such things helps. stuff you need to know when you drive a
civic in a world of suvs.
> Elle wrote:
> > Postscript: On reflecting on this accident and preventing it in the
> > future, and from reading Dan's post, I think one of the lessons here
> > is when there is a green light yet people ahead of one's car are not
> > moving, glance at the rear-view mirror throughout and see what people
> > in the back are doing. Maybe scoot the car up a little until people
> > start moving.
>
> Yes moving forward when the vehicles in front of your vehicle haven't
> moved would increase the odds of having your vehicle pushed into the
> vehicle ahead of yours. Increasing the amount of damage to your vehicle
> and involving other vehicles and people in the collision.
good rule of thumb when stopped, always leave enough space in front of
your car that you can see at least the rear bumper of the car in front
of you, so that a rear impact won't totally squish your car. you might
even be able to duck sideways out of the way. practice in your
driveway at such things helps. stuff you need to know when you drive a
civic in a world of suvs.
07-08-2009 | 10:14 PM
#21
Guest
Posts: n/a
Re: Update & Happy Ending Re: Rear-Ended; New Bumper?
On Jul 8, 7:38 pm, "Forrest" <runforre...@gmail.com> wrote:
> "Tegger" <inva...@invalid.inv> wrote in message
>
> news:Xns9C41D76759105tegger@208.90.168.18...
>
>
>
>
>
> > Elle <honda.lion...@gmail.com> wrote in news:e9dad137-9980-4a03-aeba-
> > 5762cb954...@32g2000yqj.googlegroups.com:
>
> >> dan <d...@nospam.net> wrote:
> >> snip but all read and found helpful
> >>> It is fairly easy to remove the rear bumper to see what's going on under
> >>> there.
>
> >> I checked everything people listed here. The factory shop manual has a
> >> single page for directions on how to get the bumper cover and
> >> styrofoam absorber apart, and it is dead-on correct in what (easily
> >> accessed) screws and bolts to remove. Everything looks good! I am
> >> amazed that the styrofoam absorber is not cracked nor does it appear
> >> deformed. At most, the bottom 3/8-inch of the styrofoam has small
> >> indentations from where gravel from the road accumulated over the
> >> years between the styrofoam and bumper cover. Then the gravel got
> >> pushed into the styrofoam some, either from this rear-ending or lesser
> >> ones over the years. The bumper beam looks fine.
>
> >> I guess the styrofoam, the bumper beam, and the car moving some upon
> >> collision took the force (in the vein of Tegger's post). Kudos to
> >> Honda engineers or whoever sets standards for bumpers. A little more
> >> touchup paint here and there; some Armor All, and I think my Civic
> >> will be good to go.
>
> >> Thanks again Jim, Tegger and Dan.
>
> > Happy endings are always nice.
>
> > --
> > Tegger
>
> > The Unofficial Honda/Acura FAQ
> >www.tegger.com/hondafaq/
>
> Yeah, you really have to check them over after a rear-ender. My wife got it
> in her 92 Seville. The bumper was shoved forward on one side and some other
> damage. I went to the Caddy dealer to pick it up after it was supposededly
> fixed. The bumper was replaced and looked fine. I got down on the ground and
> looked underneath. There was a small shock absorber on each side that went
> to the bumper. The one on the impact side had been damaged and compressed..
> Did they replace it? Hell no, just shoved a bunch of shims behind it and
> rebolted it. I was pissed, raised hell and got it fixed right. Talk about
> shade tree mechanics, at a Caddy Dealership, no less. Really tightened
> my Van Allen belt !- Hide quoted text -
>
> - Show quoted text -
years ago, took my civic in to a local body shop in a big bucks
neighborhood which advertised itself as specializing in mercedes, bmw,
honda, acura, figured they would do a decent job on the front end i
stupidly mangled. I impressed upon him i wanted it done right, even if
it cost, not just patched together to look good for quick sale like
some folks do. last winter, i skid into a dinky little yard sign just
stuck into the dirt, no concrete or anything. it keels right over, of
course, minimal impact, but the front bumper is split apart. Mr.
classy body shop had neglected to replace the styrofoam under the
bumper cover, and without the support the cover had stretched/ripped
under the relatively gentle stress. i'm convinced it would have
survived otherwise. bottom line, the guy's little cheat saved him
probably $15 and cost me $200.
> "Tegger" <inva...@invalid.inv> wrote in message
>
> news:Xns9C41D76759105tegger@208.90.168.18...
>
>
>
>
>
> > Elle <honda.lion...@gmail.com> wrote in news:e9dad137-9980-4a03-aeba-
> > 5762cb954...@32g2000yqj.googlegroups.com:
>
> >> dan <d...@nospam.net> wrote:
> >> snip but all read and found helpful
> >>> It is fairly easy to remove the rear bumper to see what's going on under
> >>> there.
>
> >> I checked everything people listed here. The factory shop manual has a
> >> single page for directions on how to get the bumper cover and
> >> styrofoam absorber apart, and it is dead-on correct in what (easily
> >> accessed) screws and bolts to remove. Everything looks good! I am
> >> amazed that the styrofoam absorber is not cracked nor does it appear
> >> deformed. At most, the bottom 3/8-inch of the styrofoam has small
> >> indentations from where gravel from the road accumulated over the
> >> years between the styrofoam and bumper cover. Then the gravel got
> >> pushed into the styrofoam some, either from this rear-ending or lesser
> >> ones over the years. The bumper beam looks fine.
>
> >> I guess the styrofoam, the bumper beam, and the car moving some upon
> >> collision took the force (in the vein of Tegger's post). Kudos to
> >> Honda engineers or whoever sets standards for bumpers. A little more
> >> touchup paint here and there; some Armor All, and I think my Civic
> >> will be good to go.
>
> >> Thanks again Jim, Tegger and Dan.
>
> > Happy endings are always nice.
>
> > --
> > Tegger
>
> > The Unofficial Honda/Acura FAQ
> >www.tegger.com/hondafaq/
>
> Yeah, you really have to check them over after a rear-ender. My wife got it
> in her 92 Seville. The bumper was shoved forward on one side and some other
> damage. I went to the Caddy dealer to pick it up after it was supposededly
> fixed. The bumper was replaced and looked fine. I got down on the ground and
> looked underneath. There was a small shock absorber on each side that went
> to the bumper. The one on the impact side had been damaged and compressed..
> Did they replace it? Hell no, just shoved a bunch of shims behind it and
> rebolted it. I was pissed, raised hell and got it fixed right. Talk about
> shade tree mechanics, at a Caddy Dealership, no less. Really tightened
> my Van Allen belt !- Hide quoted text -
>
> - Show quoted text -
years ago, took my civic in to a local body shop in a big bucks
neighborhood which advertised itself as specializing in mercedes, bmw,
honda, acura, figured they would do a decent job on the front end i
stupidly mangled. I impressed upon him i wanted it done right, even if
it cost, not just patched together to look good for quick sale like
some folks do. last winter, i skid into a dinky little yard sign just
stuck into the dirt, no concrete or anything. it keels right over, of
course, minimal impact, but the front bumper is split apart. Mr.
classy body shop had neglected to replace the styrofoam under the
bumper cover, and without the support the cover had stretched/ripped
under the relatively gentle stress. i'm convinced it would have
survived otherwise. bottom line, the guy's little cheat saved him
probably $15 and cost me $200.
07-08-2009 | 11:20 PM
#22
Guest
Posts: n/a
Re: Rear-Ended; New Bumper?
Elle wrote:
> 93 Civic DX sedan. It was a collision hard enough that the drawer
> beneath the radio opened and sent the coin change I keep there flying.
> As I got out, I thought I would find the Civic's rear would be partly
> flattened. I was amazed that externally, the bumper only showed
> scratches. The exhaust system is intact. Is the integrity of the foam
> etc. in the bumper compromised, though, after a hard rear-ending?
>
> The police made their report. I spoke with my insurance company last
> night. While only once before (on another car 20 years ago) of several
> rear-endings have I pursued a claim, this collision was so hard that I
> am concerned.
If you are unhurt, just go for the cosmetic repair.
Of course if it were me, I'd be screamin' neck, back and other maladies
and interviewing sleazy lawyers!
JT
07-08-2009 | 11:26 PM
#23
Guest
Posts: n/a
Re: Rear-Ended; New Bumper?
Grumpy AuContraire <Grumpy@ExtraGrumpyville.com> wrote in
news:Lld5m.105564$d36.69201@bgtnsc04-news.ops.worldnet.att.net:
>
>
> Elle wrote:
>> 93 Civic DX sedan. It was a collision hard enough that the drawer
>> beneath the radio opened and sent the coin change I keep there flying.
>> As I got out, I thought I would find the Civic's rear would be partly
>> flattened. I was amazed that externally, the bumper only showed
>> scratches. The exhaust system is intact. Is the integrity of the foam
>> etc. in the bumper compromised, though, after a hard rear-ending?
>>
>> The police made their report. I spoke with my insurance company last
>> night. While only once before (on another car 20 years ago) of several
>> rear-endings have I pursued a claim, this collision was so hard that I
>> am concerned.
>
>
> If you are unhurt, just go for the cosmetic repair.
>
> Of course if it were me, I'd be screamin' neck, back and other maladies
> and interviewing sleazy lawyers!
>
> JT
>
and running the risk of being caught at fraud.
--
Jim Yanik
jyanik
at
kua.net
news:Lld5m.105564$d36.69201@bgtnsc04-news.ops.worldnet.att.net:
>
>
> Elle wrote:
>> 93 Civic DX sedan. It was a collision hard enough that the drawer
>> beneath the radio opened and sent the coin change I keep there flying.
>> As I got out, I thought I would find the Civic's rear would be partly
>> flattened. I was amazed that externally, the bumper only showed
>> scratches. The exhaust system is intact. Is the integrity of the foam
>> etc. in the bumper compromised, though, after a hard rear-ending?
>>
>> The police made their report. I spoke with my insurance company last
>> night. While only once before (on another car 20 years ago) of several
>> rear-endings have I pursued a claim, this collision was so hard that I
>> am concerned.
>
>
> If you are unhurt, just go for the cosmetic repair.
>
> Of course if it were me, I'd be screamin' neck, back and other maladies
> and interviewing sleazy lawyers!
>
> JT
>
and running the risk of being caught at fraud.
--
Jim Yanik
jyanik
at
kua.net
07-09-2009 | 12:43 AM
#24
Guest
Posts: n/a
Re: Update & Happy Ending Re: Rear-Ended; New Bumper?
Forrest wrote:
> "Tegger" <invalid@invalid.inv> wrote in message
> news:Xns9C41D76759105tegger@208.90.168.18...
>> Elle <honda.lioness@gmail.com> wrote in news:e9dad137-9980-4a03-aeba-
>> 5762cb9543e2@32g2000yqj.googlegroups.com:
>>
>>> dan <d...@nospam.net> wrote:
>>> snip but all read and found helpful
>>>> It is fairly easy to remove the rear bumper to see what's going on under
>>>> there.
>>> I checked everything people listed here. The factory shop manual has a
>>> single page for directions on how to get the bumper cover and
>>> styrofoam absorber apart, and it is dead-on correct in what (easily
>>> accessed) screws and bolts to remove. Everything looks good! I am
>>> amazed that the styrofoam absorber is not cracked nor does it appear
>>> deformed. At most, the bottom 3/8-inch of the styrofoam has small
>>> indentations from where gravel from the road accumulated over the
>>> years between the styrofoam and bumper cover. Then the gravel got
>>> pushed into the styrofoam some, either from this rear-ending or lesser
>>> ones over the years. The bumper beam looks fine.
>>>
>>> I guess the styrofoam, the bumper beam, and the car moving some upon
>>> collision took the force (in the vein of Tegger's post). Kudos to
>>> Honda engineers or whoever sets standards for bumpers. A little more
>>> touchup paint here and there; some Armor All, and I think my Civic
>>> will be good to go.
>>>
>>> Thanks again Jim, Tegger and Dan.
>>
>>
>> Happy endings are always nice.
>>
>>
>> --
>> Tegger
>>
>> The Unofficial Honda/Acura FAQ
>> www.tegger.com/hondafaq/
>
> Yeah, you really have to check them over after a rear-ender. My wife got it
> in her 92 Seville. The bumper was shoved forward on one side and some other
> damage. I went to the Caddy dealer to pick it up after it was supposededly
> fixed. The bumper was replaced and looked fine. I got down on the ground and
> looked underneath. There was a small shock absorber on each side that went
> to the bumper. The one on the impact side had been damaged and compressed.
> Did they replace it? Hell no, just shoved a bunch of shims behind it and
> rebolted it. I was pissed, raised hell and got it fixed right. Talk about
> shade tree mechanics, at a Caddy Dealership, no less. Really tightened
> my Van Allen belt !
>
>
I got some damage in a 10 or 15mph rear-ending at a yield sign. The
insurance company called a Honda dealership for a price for a
"replacement bumper" and paid me the $600 they quoted. When I went to
pick it up it was just the skin, unpainted, without the collapsible
supports. I ended up buying the supports and just repainting the
scratches on the original "bumper." We need to get some redefinitions of
what constitutes a "bumper."
> "Tegger" <invalid@invalid.inv> wrote in message
> news:Xns9C41D76759105tegger@208.90.168.18...
>> Elle <honda.lioness@gmail.com> wrote in news:e9dad137-9980-4a03-aeba-
>> 5762cb9543e2@32g2000yqj.googlegroups.com:
>>
>>> dan <d...@nospam.net> wrote:
>>> snip but all read and found helpful
>>>> It is fairly easy to remove the rear bumper to see what's going on under
>>>> there.
>>> I checked everything people listed here. The factory shop manual has a
>>> single page for directions on how to get the bumper cover and
>>> styrofoam absorber apart, and it is dead-on correct in what (easily
>>> accessed) screws and bolts to remove. Everything looks good! I am
>>> amazed that the styrofoam absorber is not cracked nor does it appear
>>> deformed. At most, the bottom 3/8-inch of the styrofoam has small
>>> indentations from where gravel from the road accumulated over the
>>> years between the styrofoam and bumper cover. Then the gravel got
>>> pushed into the styrofoam some, either from this rear-ending or lesser
>>> ones over the years. The bumper beam looks fine.
>>>
>>> I guess the styrofoam, the bumper beam, and the car moving some upon
>>> collision took the force (in the vein of Tegger's post). Kudos to
>>> Honda engineers or whoever sets standards for bumpers. A little more
>>> touchup paint here and there; some Armor All, and I think my Civic
>>> will be good to go.
>>>
>>> Thanks again Jim, Tegger and Dan.
>>
>>
>> Happy endings are always nice.
>>
>>
>> --
>> Tegger
>>
>> The Unofficial Honda/Acura FAQ
>> www.tegger.com/hondafaq/
>
> Yeah, you really have to check them over after a rear-ender. My wife got it
> in her 92 Seville. The bumper was shoved forward on one side and some other
> damage. I went to the Caddy dealer to pick it up after it was supposededly
> fixed. The bumper was replaced and looked fine. I got down on the ground and
> looked underneath. There was a small shock absorber on each side that went
> to the bumper. The one on the impact side had been damaged and compressed.
> Did they replace it? Hell no, just shoved a bunch of shims behind it and
> rebolted it. I was pissed, raised hell and got it fixed right. Talk about
> shade tree mechanics, at a Caddy Dealership, no less. Really tightened
> my Van Allen belt !
>
>
I got some damage in a 10 or 15mph rear-ending at a yield sign. The
insurance company called a Honda dealership for a price for a
"replacement bumper" and paid me the $600 they quoted. When I went to
pick it up it was just the skin, unpainted, without the collapsible
supports. I ended up buying the supports and just repainting the
scratches on the original "bumper." We need to get some redefinitions of
what constitutes a "bumper."
07-09-2009 | 02:13 AM
#25
Guest
Posts: n/a
Re: Rear-Ended; New Bumper?
On 2009-07-09, Grumpy AuContraire <Grumpy@ExtraGrumpyville.com> wrote:
>
>
> Elle wrote:
>> 93 Civic DX sedan. It was a collision hard enough that the drawer
>> beneath the radio opened and sent the coin change I keep there flying.
>> As I got out, I thought I would find the Civic's rear would be partly
>> flattened. I was amazed that externally, the bumper only showed
>> scratches. The exhaust system is intact. Is the integrity of the foam
>> etc. in the bumper compromised, though, after a hard rear-ending?
>>
>> The police made their report. I spoke with my insurance company last
>> night. While only once before (on another car 20 years ago) of several
>> rear-endings have I pursued a claim, this collision was so hard that I
>> am concerned.
>
>
> If you are unhurt, just go for the cosmetic repair.
>
> Of course if it were me, I'd be screamin' neck, back and other maladies
> and interviewing sleazy lawyers!
Why's that?
--
Joe - Linux User #449481/Ubuntu User #19733
joe at hits - buffalo dot com
"Hate is baggage, life is too short to go around pissed off all the
time..." - Danny, American History X
>
>
> Elle wrote:
>> 93 Civic DX sedan. It was a collision hard enough that the drawer
>> beneath the radio opened and sent the coin change I keep there flying.
>> As I got out, I thought I would find the Civic's rear would be partly
>> flattened. I was amazed that externally, the bumper only showed
>> scratches. The exhaust system is intact. Is the integrity of the foam
>> etc. in the bumper compromised, though, after a hard rear-ending?
>>
>> The police made their report. I spoke with my insurance company last
>> night. While only once before (on another car 20 years ago) of several
>> rear-endings have I pursued a claim, this collision was so hard that I
>> am concerned.
>
>
> If you are unhurt, just go for the cosmetic repair.
>
> Of course if it were me, I'd be screamin' neck, back and other maladies
> and interviewing sleazy lawyers!
Why's that?
--
Joe - Linux User #449481/Ubuntu User #19733
joe at hits - buffalo dot com
"Hate is baggage, life is too short to go around pissed off all the
time..." - Danny, American History X
07-09-2009 | 03:30 AM
#26
Guest
Posts: n/a
Re: Rear-Ended; New Bumper?
"Grumpy AuContraire" <Grumpy@ExtraGrumpyville.com> wrote in message
news:Lld5m.105564$d36.69201@bgtnsc04-news.ops.worldnet.att.net...
>
>
> Elle wrote:
>> 93 Civic DX sedan. It was a collision hard enough that the drawer
>> beneath the radio opened and sent the coin change I keep there flying.
>> As I got out, I thought I would find the Civic's rear would be partly
>> flattened. I was amazed that externally, the bumper only showed
>> scratches. The exhaust system is intact. Is the integrity of the foam
>> etc. in the bumper compromised, though, after a hard rear-ending?
>>
>> The police made their report. I spoke with my insurance company last
>> night. While only once before (on another car 20 years ago) of several
>> rear-endings have I pursued a claim, this collision was so hard that I
>> am concerned.
>
>
> If you are unhurt, just go for the cosmetic repair.
>
> Of course if it were me, I'd be screamin' neck, back and other maladies
> and interviewing sleazy lawyers!
>
> JT
Not to mention, the sudden onset of impotence and insomnia !
07-09-2009 | 06:44 AM
#27
Guest
Posts: n/a
Re: Update & Happy Ending Re: Rear-Ended; New Bumper?
z wrote:
>
> good rule of thumb when stopped, always leave enough space in front of
> your car that you can see at least the rear bumper of the car in front
> of you, so that a rear impact won't totally squish your car. you might
> even be able to duck sideways out of the way. practice in your
> driveway at such things helps. stuff you need to know when you drive a
> civic in a world of suvs.
An even thing to do is to stay back so that you are able to see the
bottom of the tires of the vehicle in front of yours. This allows you
enough room to cut your wheels and to drive around that vehicle should
the need arise, whether due to another vehicle approaching yours from
the rear faster than it can stop or if the vehicle in front stalls and
doesn't move when the light changes. This works for any size of vehicle
by the way from a Smart Car or a tractor trailer truck.
>
> good rule of thumb when stopped, always leave enough space in front of
> your car that you can see at least the rear bumper of the car in front
> of you, so that a rear impact won't totally squish your car. you might
> even be able to duck sideways out of the way. practice in your
> driveway at such things helps. stuff you need to know when you drive a
> civic in a world of suvs.
An even thing to do is to stay back so that you are able to see the
bottom of the tires of the vehicle in front of yours. This allows you
enough room to cut your wheels and to drive around that vehicle should
the need arise, whether due to another vehicle approaching yours from
the rear faster than it can stop or if the vehicle in front stalls and
doesn't move when the light changes. This works for any size of vehicle
by the way from a Smart Car or a tractor trailer truck.
07-09-2009 | 07:00 AM
#29
Guest
Posts: n/a
Re: Rear-Ended; New Bumper?
On 2009-07-09, Brian Smith <Halifax@NovaScotia.Canada> wrote:
> Joe wrote:
>>
>> Why's that?
>
> It's the American way. You must recognize their battle cry, SUE, SUE,
> SUE! :^)
>
I recognize the battle cry, just never understood the selfish
reasoning. People never fail to prove to me that my expectations are
too high. And they're not very high at all...
--
Joe - Linux User #449481/Ubuntu User #19733
joe at hits - buffalo dot com
"Hate is baggage, life is too short to go around pissed off all the
time..." - Danny, American History X
> Joe wrote:
>>
>> Why's that?
>
> It's the American way. You must recognize their battle cry, SUE, SUE,
> SUE! :^)
>
I recognize the battle cry, just never understood the selfish
reasoning. People never fail to prove to me that my expectations are
too high. And they're not very high at all...
--
Joe - Linux User #449481/Ubuntu User #19733
joe at hits - buffalo dot com
"Hate is baggage, life is too short to go around pissed off all the
time..." - Danny, American History X
07-09-2009 | 08:32 AM
#30
Guest
Posts: n/a
Re: Update & Happy Ending Re: Rear-Ended; New Bumper?
On 7/9/09 5:44 AM, in article h34hmf$tr6$20@news.datemas.de, "Brian Smith"
<Halifax@NovaScotia.Canada> wrote:
> z wrote:
>>
>> good rule of thumb when stopped, always leave enough space in front of
>> your car that you can see at least the rear bumper of the car in front
>> of you, so that a rear impact won't totally squish your car. you might
>> even be able to duck sideways out of the way. practice in your
>> driveway at such things helps. stuff you need to know when you drive a
>> civic in a world of suvs.
>
> An even thing to do is to stay back so that you are able to see the
> bottom of the tires of the vehicle in front of yours. This allows you
> enough room to cut your wheels and to drive around that vehicle should
> the need arise, whether due to another vehicle approaching yours from
> the rear faster than it can stop or if the vehicle in front stalls and
> doesn't move when the light changes. This works for any size of vehicle
> by the way from a Smart Car or a tractor trailer truck.
That all sounds great, totally reasonable & in fact, driver's ed in 1965
taught the bumper rule. If you try it around here (Dallas), one of several
things will happen every time: another car will try to pull into the gap
between you and the car in front if that gap appears big enough; the cars
behind you will start honking because you are blocking access to the turn
lane by being stopped so far back; the driver behind you will stop, get out
of the car and come up and start yelling (like they do in D.C.). I have
found the half-car-length rule to be more practical & just as safe.