Replacing Front Bumper Seal - DIY

[TEC69E]

Can some one tell me if this seal can be replaced?

It is one piece, but basically covers three sections. Sections 1 and 2 are simple as the seal just runs under the horn grills and turn signals, but the middle section under the hood looks challenging.

Their is a metal runner that attaches the seal to the body. It extends the width of the front hood and the seal has a rubber bead that appears to fit into this metal runner.

My questions is . . . how do I get this rubber bead into the runner without destroying either?

This is one of those things that is the perfect DIY . . . you can only explain it if you've actually done it.

Thanks in advance for any feedback on this.

Cheers,

Tom

[ThomasTe]

Hi Tom,

You need to loosen the front bumper to fit a new bumper seal (part 1 in the picture).

[TEC69E]

Yes, I've removed the bumper. So I'm guessing this is not really too difficult to do.

[Gearbox]

The hardest part is to get the double sided tape to hold under the fenders while you are fitting up the bumper. Otherwise, it's cake. Now fitting up the quarter window seals is a real challenge.

[TEC69E]

I know this sounds stupid, but I really appreciate the feedback on this. Just wanted to get a feel for how tough this could be, so I didn't do some damage that I couldn't fix myself. Nothing like getting both feet into a project and realizing that you shouldn't have touched it to begin with. Got my replacement seal from Stoddard today so my plans for the weekend are set.

Thanks for sharing.

Tom

[A.T.]

Hey Tom

This is something I've done myself and just a few weeks ago. Fitting the middle section wasn't too bad. I was working at a friend's body shop. He let me use a little plastic thing that looks like a popsicle stick to push the rubber edge of the seal into the metal slot without damaging the rubber. Took about thirty seconds. I cleaned under the signal lights and edge of the fenders so the adhesive on the seal would stick a little better. I found the toughest part was holding the bumper up snug to the seal while trying to tighten the bolts again.

Good luck.

[caproader]

I use a little of the Lexol vinyl cleaner (blue bottle) as a lubricant to slip the center section into the slot.
John

[TEC69E]

My confidence is soaring . . . Can't wait till I finish mowing the yard and then hit the garage and get that rush of satisfaction for a job done right.

Thank you Gent's

Tom

[TEC69E]

Just wanted to say, the install went very well. Had to cut one part of the seal away because the center seal was too long. Trimmed the center seal and then used a metal spoon to work the rubber bead into place. The adhesive tape on this seal was pretty worthless, but it did the job.

Installation was much easier than I had thought.

Will do the door seals next and then the dreaded rear quarter windows.

Thanks again for the help.