Rear bumper cover gap

VADER332 · 09-26-2022, 06:58 PM

I have a 3/16" gap in my rear bumper cover, drivers side. I tried pushing the cover hoping it would snap in up but the gap is still there. Has anyone had a similar problem?

arpad_m · 09-26-2022, 07:35 PM

Alas, this is a known issue, see this thread (among others) for more input and fixes: https://www.camaro6.com/forums/showthread.php?t=529392

VADER332 · 09-26-2022, 08:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by arpad_m

Alas, this is a known issue, see this thread (among others) for more input and fixes: https://www.camaro6.com/forums/showthread.php?t=529392

Wow. Thanks for the fast response and the info.

arpad_m · 09-26-2022, 10:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by VADER332

Wow. Thanks for the fast response and the info.

You're welcome, hope at least one of the fixes will work for you

WhiteMale · 09-27-2022, 06:53 AM

I need to pull my car tonite and do this, R/Pass side 2023 ZL1 has this problem.

ember1205 · 09-27-2022, 09:51 AM

Keep in mind that these gaps are largely "designed" in to some extent. If you tighten everything up and then go drive the car, the changes in temps and such can affect those gaps and you could end up damaging paint if the panels press together harder than expected.

I would suggest driving the car for a bit and check those gaps periodically and watch the gap amount change...

SATINSTEEL1LE · 09-27-2022, 09:59 AM

Here we go again.

Let me save all of you about 5 years worth of trial and error here.

Heat expansion causes this. EVERY camaro doesnt matter the year will do it if left in hot temps or in the sun. You can remove the tail lamps on the 16-18 cars and put zip ties on the bumper tabs to hold them to their clips that they slip off of when the bumper heat expands, but then you will create a much larger gap at the underside of where the rear trunk lid meets the bumper. This gets exaggerated in heat or sun when the bumper tries to expand, and cant at the corners anymore. Then it bows down in the middle and looks like its starting to hang off in the middle.

The 19+ cars are even harder to try and adjust. You have to pull the bumper off to get the tail lights off and this defeats the purpose of trying to secure the bumper better if you have to remove it to put the tails back on.

Long story short, DO NOT ATTEMPT to remedy this. It just is what it is. You will see very quickly that you will be opening up a can of worms that you cannot close. You will never fix it no matter what the dealer says or anyone here.

There, now go enjoy your car and dont mess with this.

arpad_m · 09-27-2022, 03:13 PM

Good thing my rear bumper didn't get the mail from this doyen who knows exactly what everyone should do with their cars.

Zipties are made of plastic, too, so they also expand somewhat (ie there still is a smaller bumper gap after the fix), and I have no problems in the middle of the bumper, it isn't "hanging off" (but even if it did a bit, I'd prefer that to big conspicuous gaps on each side).

SATINSTEEL1LE · 09-27-2022, 03:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by arpad_m

Good thing my rear bumper didn't get the mail from this doyen who knows exactly what everyone should do with their cars.

Zipties are made of plastic, too, so they also expand somewhat (ie there still is a smaller bumper gap after the fix), and I have no problems in the middle of the bumper, it isn't "hanging off" (but even if it did a bit, I'd prefer that to big conspicuous gaps on each side).

Well congrats to you.

asthmamax11 · 12-21-2022, 12:51 AM

People spend $50k on a Camaro and they want $50k Lexus quality

09-26-2022, 06:58 PM	#1
VADER332 Drives: 2019 ZL1 1LE / 2014 Ford Raptor Join Date: Jun 2018 Location: Salisbury MD Posts: 106	Rear bumper cover gap I have a 3/16" gap in my rear bumper cover, drivers side. I tried pushing the cover hoping it would snap in up but the gap is still there. Has anyone had a similar problem? Attached Images

09-26-2022, 07:35 PM	#2
arpad_m Drives: 2018 Camaro 2SS A8 Join Date: Jul 2017 Location: East Tennessee Posts: 11,605 View My Garage	Alas, this is a known issue, see this thread (among others) for more input and fixes: https://www.camaro6.com/forums/showthread.php?t=529392 __________________ 2018 Camaro 2SS — G7E MX0 NPP F55 IO6 735 rwhp \| 665 rwtq Magnuson TVS 2300 80mm pulley \| Kooks 1 7/8" LT headers \| JRE smooth idle terminator cam \| LT4 FS & injectors \| TSP forged pistons & rods JMS PowerMAX \| DSX flex fuel kit \| Roto-Fab CAI \| Soler 95mm LT5 TB \| 1LE wheels \| 1LE brakes \| BMR rear cradle lockout \| JRE custom tune 1100 - 1/30/18 \| 2000 - 1/31/18 3000 - 2/06/18 TPW 2/26/18 3400 - 2/19/18 \| 3800 - 2/26/18 4300 - 2/27/18 \| 4B00 - 3/01/18 4200 - 3/05/18 \| 4800 - 3/14/18 5000 - 3/16/18 \| 6000 - 3/19/18

09-27-2022, 03:13 PM	#8
arpad_m Drives: 2018 Camaro 2SS A8 Join Date: Jul 2017 Location: East Tennessee Posts: 11,605 View My Garage	Good thing my rear bumper didn't get the mail from this doyen who knows exactly what everyone should do with their cars. Zipties are made of plastic, too, so they also expand somewhat (ie there still is a smaller bumper gap after the fix), and I have no problems in the middle of the bumper, it isn't "hanging off" (but even if it did a bit, I'd prefer that to big conspicuous gaps on each side). __________________ 2018 Camaro 2SS — G7E MX0 NPP F55 IO6 735 rwhp \| 665 rwtq Magnuson TVS 2300 80mm pulley \| Kooks 1 7/8" LT headers \| JRE smooth idle terminator cam \| LT4 FS & injectors \| TSP forged pistons & rods JMS PowerMAX \| DSX flex fuel kit \| Roto-Fab CAI \| Soler 95mm LT5 TB \| 1LE wheels \| 1LE brakes \| BMR rear cradle lockout \| JRE custom tune 1100 - 1/30/18 \| 2000 - 1/31/18 3000 - 2/06/18 TPW 2/26/18 3400 - 2/19/18 \| 3800 - 2/26/18 4300 - 2/27/18 \| 4B00 - 3/01/18 4200 - 3/05/18 \| 4800 - 3/14/18 5000 - 3/16/18 \| 6000 - 3/19/18

12-21-2022, 12:51 AM	#10
asthmamax11 Drives: 1SS Summit White 6 speed Join Date: Jul 2017 Location: Gainesville GA Posts: 579	People spend $50k on a Camaro and they want $50k Lexus quality __________________ 16 1SS M6 White Magnuson 2.3 Heartbeat Roto Fab Solo Performance Cat deletes and Axleback Hurst short shifter #'s coming soon Riaction coilovers 1LE sway bars BMR mm BMR chassis brace Flow one 19" wheels wrapped in Mickey Thompsons 02 Z28 M6 35th anniversary 80k miles T-tops Leather Bolt ons Joy to drive this classic every day! Daily Driver

09-27-2022, 06:53 AM	#5
WhiteMale Drives: 23 ZL1 A10 Rapid Blue Join Date: Aug 2020 Location: MO Posts: 1,988	I need to pull my car tonite and do this, R/Pass side 2023 ZL1 has this problem.

09-27-2022, 09:51 AM	#6
ember1205 Hot Camaro Drives: '20 2SS Convertible 6MT Join Date: May 2020 Location: CT Posts: 3,534	Keep in mind that these gaps are largely "designed" in to some extent. If you tighten everything up and then go drive the car, the changes in temps and such can affect those gaps and you could end up damaging paint if the panels press together harder than expected. I would suggest driving the car for a bit and check those gaps periodically and watch the gap amount change...

09-27-2022, 09:59 AM	#7
SATINSTEEL1LE Account Suspended Drives: 21 ZL1 Join Date: Feb 2022 Location: South East Posts: 662	Here we go again. Let me save all of you about 5 years worth of trial and error here. Heat expansion causes this. EVERY camaro doesnt matter the year will do it if left in hot temps or in the sun. You can remove the tail lamps on the 16-18 cars and put zip ties on the bumper tabs to hold them to their clips that they slip off of when the bumper heat expands, but then you will create a much larger gap at the underside of where the rear trunk lid meets the bumper. This gets exaggerated in heat or sun when the bumper tries to expand, and cant at the corners anymore. Then it bows down in the middle and looks like its starting to hang off in the middle. The 19+ cars are even harder to try and adjust. You have to pull the bumper off to get the tail lights off and this defeats the purpose of trying to secure the bumper better if you have to remove it to put the tails back on. Long story short, DO NOT ATTEMPT to remedy this. It just is what it is. You will see very quickly that you will be opening up a can of worms that you cannot close. You will never fix it no matter what the dealer says or anyone here. There, now go enjoy your car and dont mess with this.

User Name		Remember Me?
Password