Panel gap: Solved

[Donkey]

At PRI this year I noticed the FP350S didn't have any bumper gap.. so I found one of the Ford rep's and asked him "How did you guy's eliminate the bumper gap" he acted like he didn't know there was an issue. The bumper and mount's were simply never designed for the additional weight and stress that the 350's diffuser and exhaust tips seem to be adding to an already under engineered system.

Good write up and I'll likely due this at some point.

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[EF300]

WARNING, this is not a diy. If you can't do an oil change then you can't do this. Be smart and take your time, this is purely a guide

Overall easy to do.

Hey looking for an update, how is your fix holding up ?

 

[xXANCHORMONXx]

Hey looking for an update, how is your fix holding up ?

Working perfect

 

[EF300]

Working perfect

Great i am gonna give it a go. Can it be done with the real wheels up on race ramps ? Believe it or not i dont have jackstands.

 

[machsmith]

I'd like to do this soon. Maybe in a couple weeks. Thanks for the tips!

 

[xXANCHORMONXx]

Great i am gonna give it a go. Can it be done with the real wheels up on race ramps ? Believe it or not i dont have jackstands.

Sure can.

 

[Lurker_350]

So, I did this last weekend while replacing the right tail light - which was damaged when I took delivery of the car. Dealer finally came through and provided the part after much debate - even though I had time stamped pictures at delivery.

Anyway, here are some pics that might help with install. Step numbers on images are references to [MENTION=11290]xXANCHORMONXx[/MENTION] steps. Big thanks to him for sharing the relevant steps to fix the gaps!

And the garage is not nearly as dirty as it looks in the pictures....

 

[aham23]

^^^^ that is fabulous. thank you.

 

[Houston Kid]

Well crap. I have not noticed a gap on mine but now I am going to have to take a closer look.

Thanks a lot! LOL

 

[machsmith]

Thanks to both of you for the info. About how much does that bumper weigh? I'd like to do this by myself sometime. I can curl a decent amount haha, but I'm no heavy weight lifting champion. Is it about 100 or 150 lbs?

 

[xXANCHORMONXx]

Thanks to both of you for the info. About how much does that bumper weigh? I'd like to do this by myself sometime. I can curl a decent amount haha, but I'm no heavy weight lifting champion. Is it about 100 or 150 lbs?

Like 10-20

 

[Mike02z]

I had no gap at all. Yesterday I uncovered it and now all of a sudden I have a small gap. How does a gap open up while the damn car has been under a cover and not moved in 3 months?

 

[honeybadger]

I had no gap at all. Yesterday I uncovered it and now all of a sudden I have a small gap. How does a gap open up while the damn car has been under a cover and not moved in 3 months?

My panel gap has steadily grown over time. I assume it's because the mounts aren't beefy enough and sag starts to happen.

 

[montreal ponies]

If i may add for those looking to solve the front fender to bumper gap, here is what i did to fix mine.

Removed front passenger wheel and plastic liner to gain access to screw that holds the two pieces together.

As you can see in the pic, i drilled a new hole and install a long stainless steel bolt and nylon nut through that existing plastic piece which already has a screw
holding the bumper to fender together.

The plastic part on mine was broken, so i had a big gap which is now fixed by doing this simple trick.

No way was i going to go to Ford with this issue and risk having them remove the bumper.

All is good now.

 

[GT_Dave]

I had no gap at all. Yesterday I uncovered it and now all of a sudden I have a small gap. How does a gap open up while the damn car has been under a cover and not moved in 3 months?

It's called gravity, and poor support in Fords design!

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