Upon returning to a car park in town centre, I noticed that there was a  quarter inch "gap" where the plastic bumper joins the front RH side metal wing

 

I think this occured when another car backed into it

 

Conflicting views from car repair body shops , one says that the entire bumper has to be removed to get at the fixings, and another says that the headlamp assembly , front wheel and the plastic "innards" under the wing needs to be removed to gain access

 

I have noticed that if the bumper is lifted up from underneath the gap closes to the same dimensions as to the wing on the other side  - but it springs back again when released

 

Any advice as which of the above car body repairers is correct  - or are there other methods ?

 

 

Lodestone

 

 

Probably just wants a new runner on the wing. The bumper clips into it. I'd take the bumper off, screw on a new runner and refit. Bumper is a couple of minutes to take off.

If the three stupid push in plastic clips are missing from the underside of the bumper in the middle this can cause the bumper to sag.

Thank you for this useful information . and thank you to all those who responded to queries re PAS and Aircon  - PAS now resolved , and saving up for the Aircon repair

 

Lodestone

Probably just wants a new runner on the wing. The bumper clips into it. I'd take the bumper off, screw on a new runner and refit. Bumper is a couple of minutes to take off.

What do you do when the plastic hoops on the bumper side, have worn down and sag or just wont sit in the clips of the runner?

What do you do when the plastic hoops on the bumper side, have worn down and sag or just wont sit in the clips of the runner?

Buy a new bumper I guess

Buy a new bumper I guess

Yes :( 

 

Thats whats up with mine... i changed the runners, and it turns out its the bumper hoop parts, not a cheap fix when adding in paint.

No not cheap

Other option is secondhand bumper painted in your colour already,but unless you view/collect it you won't be able to guarantee they are not broken :(

No not cheap

Other option is secondhand bumper painted in your colour already,but unless you view/collect it you won't be able to guarantee they are not broken :(

Ye and all second hand ones are in crap condition and need a respray... I just put up with a gap where the bumper and light is lol. I did consider used these jdm style band jobbies. 

Don't do that FFS :(

It's a little run of the mill 5 door VAG hatchback,not a big power jap drift car!!!!

But its cheaper than a new bumper :P

 

I guess its there for a function... not a statement?

'I am a ****' is the statement anyone with those fitted to a Fabia is making! !!

'I am a ****' is the statement anyone with those fitted to a Fabia is making! !!

 

Yer gonna need a drill. And yer also gonna need a drill bit. Well no ****in ****, Sherlock!