Porsche 993 - front bumper alignment and seals
Discussion
I have removed the front bumper on my 993 C2 for some maintenance jobs and find that as I replace it I seem to have a larger gap between the top of the plastic bumper and the wing under the headlights. This is partly filled by the black rubber seal/piping but it seems bigger than before and I can’t really see how best to adjust. Bumper was a right pain in the arse to refit as well but got it on in the end. Any tricks or tips for closing the gap appreciated.
hmmmm I did this a long time ago, but....
It's a poor design, and therefore getting it 'looking good' is an art. The old seal will have shrunk over time and be hard and manky.
I bought a long strip of new seal, not fairy-dust OEM, but from a proper seal manufacturing company. The profile I chose was IIRC a 'P'.
I didn't want to staple it, like the factory did, so I used neutral-cure silicone.
This allowed some adjustabillity, but basically you have to tease it into place. Patience, patience, patience.
Good luck.
PS I used the silicone as a 'temporary' fixant, but it's still holding strong, n-years later, and I use my car all year round, not wrapping it in a blanket, so it's had very hot to very cold temps to deal with. Silcone wins.
I'll look for a photo.
ETA ignore the dust... I managed to get the front 100% but had to have a slight misalignment where it meets the wheelarch on one side.
Ignore the stoneage P-zero - I was test fitting a wide wheel.
It's a poor design, and therefore getting it 'looking good' is an art. The old seal will have shrunk over time and be hard and manky.
I bought a long strip of new seal, not fairy-dust OEM, but from a proper seal manufacturing company. The profile I chose was IIRC a 'P'.
I didn't want to staple it, like the factory did, so I used neutral-cure silicone.
This allowed some adjustabillity, but basically you have to tease it into place. Patience, patience, patience.
Good luck.
PS I used the silicone as a 'temporary' fixant, but it's still holding strong, n-years later, and I use my car all year round, not wrapping it in a blanket, so it's had very hot to very cold temps to deal with. Silcone wins.
I'll look for a photo.
ETA ignore the dust... I managed to get the front 100% but had to have a slight misalignment where it meets the wheelarch on one side.
Ignore the stoneage P-zero - I was test fitting a wide wheel.
Edited by Orangecurry on Friday 5th February 18:29
Edited by Orangecurry on Friday 5th February 18:52
Thanks for that. Very useful, especially the pics. The main issue for me is that I can’t seem to get it to sit back far enough under the lights leaving an unsightly ledge. I will try fitting without the seal first and then fit and adjust as you suggest. Is there any way to adjust how far forward or back the plastic bumper unit sits or is it basically fixed?
Will report back with pics of the problem if still no joy.
Will report back with pics of the problem if still no joy.
I'm sorry but it's nine years ago and I can't remember 100% - but I think you have to put it back in at the front first... then the sides..
It is easier with a helper.
I would source a new seal, clean the old stuff off the bumper and wings, loose-fit the bumper without the seal and then dry/test fit the seal, adjusting the bumper until it 'works'.
From memory, I think then with the bumper still in-place, you can silicone the seal to the PU/bumper, sliding it in the gap. Clear neutral-cure silicone of course.
It is easier with a helper.
I would source a new seal, clean the old stuff off the bumper and wings, loose-fit the bumper without the seal and then dry/test fit the seal, adjusting the bumper until it 'works'.
From memory, I think then with the bumper still in-place, you can silicone the seal to the PU/bumper, sliding it in the gap. Clear neutral-cure silicone of course.
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