Bumper Filler Experts Unite!

[Guest alfredgee]

So the time has finally come where the bumper fillers have partially failed on my Riviera Convertible.  I have already reviewed the instructions that Ed Raner wrote up for the Riview but I still have some questions and I’m hoping other members who have gone through this can share their insight.

 

I went with the ABS plastic fillers that have been reworked to match the originals (four piece design for the rear and three piece for the front).  In my case, the only pieces that have actually failed are the ones with original paint and in my case, it’s the pieces under the tail lamps.  The side pieces were repainted and the second coat seems to have protected them from drying out. 

 

Once installed, the sides line up nicely though the gap under the tail lamp is terrible and the overlap is really bad by the gas cap.  I think I have to live with the tail lamp gap since I kept the original sides, but what have other owners done by the gas cap?  I considered cutting off the lip on the back piece so that it will sit flush, but I am concerned that it will reduce the structural integrity of the piece.  Below are some photos to explain everything.  Any tips would be greatly appreciated.

 

Thanks!

 

Alfred

 

The gas cap area:  

 

 

The tail lamp gap:

 

 

The overall look, not bad depending on the angle:

 

 

[RivNut]

I'd send those pictures to the manufacturer / distributor (depending on who you got them from) and ask him what he intends to do about it.  Quality bumper fillers have been a big problem.  Ray Knott took most of the ads out of the classifieds of the Riview because of shoddy products.  Information like you're posting cannot be good for the manufacturers reputation.

 

Ed

[Guest alfredgee]

Hi Ed,

 

Thanks for the response. 

I purchased them from the cheapest place I could find since only one place makes them as noted in your article.  The supplier has been helpful in trying to guide me on how to better align them.  It will involve some cutting, trimming and a heat gun to bend the tabs.  They have assured me that if I screw it up, they will replace the parts so I am free to experiment to get them looking right.

 

I appreciate the article you wrote, it gave me the confidence to try to do it myself instead of dropping it off at a body shop for them to monkey around with.

 

Cheers!

 

Alfred