Bendy Bumper

BigBob52

Member
Messages
366
Bendy Bumpers - The well known Maserati pornstar is having problems with her rear end. Dave has been manfully doing his best to help with advice but the problem is deep rooted.

Bendy Syndrome is endemic in the 3200 rear end. Dave suggests we all support her and that I ask opinions as she desperately needs support. Her once pert behind is threatening to do a Modena and leave her uncovered and flapping in the breeze.
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FIFTY

Member
Messages
3,100
I think you need to take the bumper off and investigate, maybe some brackets have detached or corroded away... Cannot think of any potential sources of heat on the 3200 around there to cause warping.

I had to remake the front bumper bracket on my 4200 because it was mild steel and turned to dust. I plan to remove the side skirts and rear bumper in spring to find whats lurking.
 

BigBob52

Member
Messages
366
I have got a wreck spare which seems to have been reinforced along the upper edge. The one on the car isn’t and is warped like a bent smile. Before I take one off I am experimenting to see what works best. All suggestions welcome. Will have a look at the mountings as well. Thanks.
 

Oneball

Member
Messages
11,075
Just having cup of tea number 6, when I crawl back under the car I’ll take some photos.
 

BigBob52

Member
Messages
366
Fix aluminium section in place with flexible body filler and clamp in place to set? Nothing like this on the car at the moment - looks terrible - this mod was only on the scrap bumper I have in stock. What about getting new bumper fixings? Any ideas?
 

Oneball

Member
Messages
11,075
Fix aluminium section in place with flexible body filler and clamp in place to set? Nothing like this on the car at the moment - looks terrible - this mod was only on the scrap bumper I have in stock. What about getting new bumper fixings? Any ideas?

I’d stick it on with epoxy.

The upper and lower bits of the bumper are bolted together with 4 bolts. Can’t really see the other mountings.
 

BigBob52

Member
Messages
366
Getting it clamped and all level may be tricky. Good luck, hope it's an easy fix.
I am going to have a dummy-run with the spare one; but I think it may be best to try and finally fix the existing one in situ. If I take it off, I have a horrible feeling that the process of straightening it may push the dimensions and it will not go back in place - fix one thing and cause another problem? There are numerous fixing to the main bodywork that also have to align correctly. Its these that I wanted to replace with new.

The distortion obviously happened for a reason - apart from basic poor design - and I would like to find that first. I have a feeling that a thin expansion joint between the lower wing and the main bumper body could help with movement. But why on earth you would bother to make such a wonderfully aeodynamic car and bumper foil - and leave the top side acting like an open scoop brake - completely 'fogs' me? Could the heat from the bottom of the car combined with this parachute effect have blown out the bumper at high speed? The forces involved are considerable. Take a look next time you see one off the car - its an absolute joke! I note that the Spyder filled and reinforced the visual gap between with an open mesh grille - yet another triumph of style over substance. making the whole thing stronger but a stupid bodge aerodynamically.

Busy working life at the moment but will post some pics when I do it.

Any one else noticed this problem and found a solution?
 
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BigBob52

Member
Messages
366
There’s a strengthening strip glued to the back of the top side of the central hole.

View attachment 53542
The reinforcement looks the same as on the scrap bumper - only the 90 degree angle on mine is the other way around. I may have to make a slightly curved negative wooden former to clamp it down in the right shape - as its not flat in reality.
 

BigBob52

Member
Messages
366
Anyone know what this is for? It looks like a broken snap clip for locating the rear bumper on the 3200. I can’t find an illustration on the manual of this or how it fits. I can make up a replacement and bond it in but...? It was obviously damaged in the scrappage process. Any pics of what a good fixing should look like?
1547565441128.jpeg
 

conaero

Forum Owner
Messages
34,593
Anyone know what this is for? It looks like a broken snap clip for locating the rear bumper on the 3200. I can’t find an illustration on the manual of this or how it fits. I can make up a replacement and bond it in but...? It was obviously damaged in the scrappage process. Any pics of what a good fixing should look like?
View attachment 53653

Yes, there should be an under tray that it attached to?
 

BigBob52

Member
Messages
366
News to me... I will check back with the manual and then have a look on the car. Take some better pics tomorrow in the light. Nothing is ever simple on the 3200. Hence the stupid questions and my cautious approach.