Most cars come with a bumper that serves both an aesthetic and functional purpose. Seeing that they’re the car’s first line of defense, bumpers often get damaged while protecting other parts of your car. While it’s possible to just patch it up, there are times when you will have to replace it.
Front bumper replacement cost is usually in the region of $885 to $1,389, and the bumper repair cost will depend on how much time it takes to complete the repair as well as the amount spent on the actual part. It’s important to note here that the front bumper repair cost differs from the rear bumper replacement cost, while car manufacturers also offer different rates.
Bumper Replacement Cost Comparison
The following is a list of sample front bumper replacement costs based on rates from the country’s best auto repair specialists. That said, bumper replacement price might differ according to your locality as well as the severity of the damage.
What’s the Bumper?
The bumper is built with sturdy materials like steel, aluminum, rubber, and plastic in order to be able to protect the front and rear of the car. Sometimes, bumpers are built with a foam material that insulates the car and absorbs shock while others come with built-in energy absorbers and brackets.
Front Bumper Repair Benefits
Car bumpers serve the dual purpose of protecting your car while adding aesthetic value to it.
However, as with all car components, it will become weaker over time due to wear and tear, rust and corrosion, as well as dings and scratches.
Replacing your car’s bumper when necessary will keep it nice and smooth while ensuring that it’s in the right condition to protect you in case you get into a collision.
When Is The Right Time To Replace a Bumper?
Car bumpers tend to weaken over time due to the stressors of everyday driving. That’s why it’s so important to examine your bumpers for any rust or corrosion, as well as any other damage that might compromise the bumper’s ability to protect your car.
What Happens During Bumper Replacement?
Modern-day bumpers are lightweight and easier to replace when compared to the bumpers on older cars, plus they come built-into the vehicle, which makes them even more effective.
Modern bumpers also boast a supple plastic coating, which is typically painted to match the rest of the car and is attached to shock-absorbing foam material, which is in turn attached to the structure of the bumper.
Most of the time, you can get away with replacing the skin alone, but other times you’ll have to replace the structure as well if the damage is that severe.
Here’s a step-by-step guide on how a bumper is replaced:
- First, find out how severe the damage is so you know what you’re dealing with, and whether you’ll have to replace just the skin or the structure as well.
- Get under the front section of your car so that you can inspect the damage using a flashlight, and you can jack the car up slightly if necessary.
- Make sure that you note all the components that have been broken so that you know what exactly needs to be done.
- Check the surrounding components for signs of damage as well.
- Remove the bumper skin by unscrewing the fasteners around it with a screwdriver. If it’s fastened with pop-in fasteners then you can poke them out with a small flat-blade screwdriver.
- Now you can lift the bumper off since the fasteners have been removed.
- Take the skin to an auto body shop for a fresh coat of paint that matches the rest of the car, or if you want to cut costs, you can use a can of spray paint to coat the bumper’s skin with fresh paint, although you’re unlikely to get a matching color.
- Check the structure of the bumper for any damage and replace it if necessary.
- Lubricate the bolts keeping the bumper in place before you take them out using a ratchet and the right-sized socket.
- Install the new bumper by following the previous steps but in reverse. Only tighten the bolts once you’re sure that they’re in the right position and make sure that the new bumper takes the spot of the old one.
- Make sure that the bumper is accurately aligned with the body panels of your vehicle and once you’re sure that the fasteners are in the right position; tighten them so that they’re fixed firmly.
After you finish installing the skin, connect the lights once again.
Safety is a major concern when replacing a car bumper and you should make sure that jack stands are available to support the car while you work under it, as an actual jack will not be able to hold it in place. The slightest movement can easily upset the jack and knock the car over.
So only use it to lift up the car and then put jack stands in the relevant spots to keep the car in place so that you’re safe and secure while you’re working beneath the vehicle. It’s also recommended that you wear safety goggles in order to keep out the dirt and debris of the repair process, as it might get into your eyes as you work on the bumper under your car and may cause significant damage to your sight.
How to Save Money on Bumper Replacement?
How much to replace the front bumper, you ask? Well, it is admittedly an expensive repair procedure and the cost can quickly escalate if you’re having it done at a professional mechanic.
That said, the best way to save money on the cost of repainting the bumper is to do it yourself, or order the parts separately from an online provider of aftermarket auto parts, and only pay for the labor.
Cracked Bumper Price Comparison
The following is a list of sample costs that show you how much does a bumper cost to replace. This is based on the most popular car models in the country hence it’s only made to serve as an estimate. The labor costs will also differ on a case-by-case basis and will depend on how much damage the bumper has suffered.
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