1973 E9 Front Bumper Advise sought

[pickman]

In the final assembly of the Front bumper. Both LH and RH side chrome pieces are loose, the support struts are loose bolted to the frame. It appears there is a good 2 inches rearward for the LH and RH side pieces in order to get to the attaching fastener on the sides. The LH and RH fenders are new sheet metal from Germany about 10 years ago. It looks like I cannot get the holes to align and need someone with more experience to advise.

All advice appreciated.

 

[dave v. in nc]

Fenders for a 72/earlier, and bumper brackets for 73 maybe? Looks like about the extra amount that the 73's stuck out? Just a guess...(not real a priori knowledge)

 

[HB Chris]

Fenders come with holes for 72 and earlier, Dave is correct, you need new holes farther forward for a US/NA 73.

 

[Stevehose]

Or tuck them closer 72 style?

 

[pickman]

Thank you for the info that was my summation but always good for more experienced advice. Hate drilling holes in sheet metal!

 

[dave v. in nc]

..then what Steve said.

 

[pickman]

BTW Happy New Year to ALL! Attached are the shots of the 90% complete rebuild and thanks to all for your invaluable help.

 

[HB Chris]

Looking very nice!

 

[rsporsche]

agree with Chris ... this is looking great

Fenders come with holes for 72 and earlier, Dave is correct, you need new holes farther forward for a US/NA 73.

couldn't you replace the bumper brackets with 72 or earlier brackets and use the original fender holes? i know the overrider rubber is different ... but everything else is the same except the brackets

 

[pickman]

I am not familiar with the 1972 bumper attached is a a photo to clarify your comment. Please advise.

 

[rsporsche]

i don't think the side pieces are different from the pre '72 ... perhaps HBChris or somebody else who knows for sure can comment. my comment is that the pre '73 bumper brackets install just like the 73 ,,, they are just shorter. the 73 are triangular shaped, the pre 73 are L shaped. therefore the bumper will sit closer to the body so the existing fender holes will work. the 73 overrider rubber will keep the 73 bumper looking correct ... just closer to the body and no longer a 2.5mph bumper

 

[pickman]

Attached diagram of the 1973 frt. bumper is exactly what mine set-up looks like. The frt bumper 72 uses a different frame mounting bracket. I surmise this is what Dave/Steve is referring to? I this solves the side hole mounting can you advise please? Also does anyone have these brackets?

 

[autokunst]

As noted, the bumper brackets are different and shorter pre and post '73. Here are some quick pics, not mine. I plan on using '72 bumper brackets on my '73 car, but I think that in addition to using the different brackets, there is a different attachment fixture on/in the bumper. Which is to say, I don't think you can simple swap the brackets.?.

1973 brackets:

Pre-1973 brackets:

 

[Gransin]

Wouldn't it be possible to just cut out what's needed and weld the -73 brackets back together? Making them shorter.

 

[autokunst]

That sounds way too simple.
If shortened, I wonder if the "Y" shaped yoke on the '73 bracket would come into contact with the otherwise narrow slot in the body?

 

[tferrer]

Wouldn't it be possible to just cut out what's needed and weld the -73 brackets back together? Making them shorter.

+1

With a bit of welding and minimal redesign, I'm sure you can make them fit to your liking and potentially eliminate the need to drill new holes and more importantly, fill those holes on what looks like a freshly painted car.

Has anyone modified the 73 brackets to work?

 

[HB Chris]

The bumpers are the same, only the mounting brackets are different. 72 and earlier used carriage bolts, the 73 uses bolts through the frame but the holes pictured appear to be in the same position. Yes, the end mounts are different but shouldn’t make any difference, the 73 uses a stronger mount.

 

[JayWltrs]

The bumpers are the same, only the mounting brackets are different. 72 and earlier used carriage bolts, the 73 uses bolts through the frame but the holes pictured appear to be in the same position. Yes, the end mounts are different but shouldn’t make any difference, the 73 uses a stronger mount.

Sound like it comes down to your preference: are you more comfortable sourcing & paying for pre-73 hardware or mocking up, cutting, perhaps bending, and welding what you have. I’d guess even if you found NOS pre-73 arms, you still might need some adjustments to get it all straight. I haven’t been able to find any unmangled pre-73 arms lately. If you find some, let me know.

 

[pickman]

Now that I have this valuable input I am reaching out to all my old BMW buddies to see if I can find a set or two of the pre 73 version.

 

[73Polaris]

The bumpers are the same, only the mounting brackets are different. 72 and earlier used carriage bolts, the 73 uses bolts through the frame but the holes pictured appear to be in the same position. Yes, the end mounts are different but shouldn’t make any difference, the 73 uses a stronger mount.

Chris,

If one uses the shorter 72 brackets on a 73 bumper, won't the left and right side pieces of the bumper sit incorrectly against the left and right fenders of the car? The ends will be closer to the wheel openings by 1-2 inches, no?