Bumpers - Need to be more stronger

Friends, I had been on a trip to Chennai in my Logan DLX (bought on 24 Feb 08). I had a cris crossing biker ram his footrest into my front bumper. The damage, as anybody would expect from such impacts which are common on our roads, initially looked to be small. It was not a very forceful impact either as it happened in slow traffic. Even a good kick could have caused the same impact.

On examining, I found that almost all the bumper clamps had broken. They are very flimsy and made of plastic and all the clamps including the ones that are used to screw the bumber at the under (beloe the number plate) had broken. I got it it temporarily fixed at MPL mahindra in Chennai but realise that this is definitely going to be weak spot for all of us driving logans. MPL has just refixed the screws by driving them a little deeper and this has kind of fixed it up, but when I look under the bumper, all I can see is plastic, with broken ends and the screws fallen off.

This was very very disappointing. The metal used on the vehicle seems to be real strong but compromise on the bumpers - the first points of impact - need to be made stronger.

FYI - I was initially told to change the entire bumper but then on arguing they said that they will temporarily fix it (which is what I've done now).

Any similar experiences

I don't think so. Had a minor brush with an alto one day, and nothing happened. While I thought something must have broken, nothing did. Except for very minor scratches couldn't spot anything else.

Yeah same here! I Banged into a Fiat Palio sum time ago, my number plate cracjed cause it was acrylic and there were scratches on the bumber but the Bumper didnt move an inch!!
Dunno wat went rong in ur case!

I too feel that bumpers are strong but I dislike the gaps between bumper and body .... it should be well stick fit to body like other cars have.

Also while service I got fixed loose bumper screws. Also now after around 3 months I see a gap building slowly between headlight and bumper.

Dear Friends ,
Bumpers of most cars have a metal sheet under it which is at some distance from bumpers to safe guard your car bumbers are only the cosmetic covers for those
Bumpers in all cars have clamps which are plastic which is better if they break some time due to some impact they can be easily repaired by any local mechanic why go to the showroom it harly takes any time
I drive in delhi and u know traffic here most of the times some one bumps my car from behind but u wud be amused an alto had a broken headlit after that and a corolla hit from back nuttin happend only light scraches which can be removed by rubbing
so dont worry

dhanushan wrote:

Friends, I had been on a trip to Chennai in my Logan DLX (bought on 24 Feb 08). I had a cris crossing biker ram his footrest into my front bumper. The damage, as anybody would expect from such impacts which are common on our roads, initially looked to be small. It was not a very forceful impact either as it happened in slow traffic. Even a good kick could have caused the same impact.

On examining, I found that almost all the bumper clamps had broken. They are very flimsy and made of plastic and all the clamps including the ones that are used to screw the bumber at the under (beloe the number plate) had broken. I got it it temporarily fixed at MPL mahindra in Chennai but realise that this is definitely going to be weak spot for all of us driving logans. MPL has just refixed the screws by driving them a little deeper and this has kind of fixed it up, but when I look under the bumper, all I can see is plastic, with broken ends and the screws fallen off.

This was very very disappointing. The metal used on the vehicle seems to be real strong but compromise on the bumpers - the first points of impact - need to be made stronger.

FYI - I was initially told to change the entire bumper but then on arguing they said that they will temporarily fix it (which is what I've done now).

Any similar experiences

okie..here comes exactly same experience from me. Logan front bumper tears its holding sockets easily because the plastic build up there is very thin.

Same incident happened to me at Chennai when a biker squeezed into the space between my car and a lamp post and his front crash guard hit my left side of front bumper and pulled it out. Impact was not huge and the bike guy didnot even fall down(Thank god he didnot, We know how people behave) he just continued riding off..

The damage was the bumper was teared out of its holding clamp in left.

The bumper material is in such a manner that bumper will tear or will accept a hole but will not break. This is infact the exact property a bumper needs. But here the issue is, the holding plastic build up is so small that it will just tear off in case of some one trying to pull off with very littttttle force..here note the words verrrrry little.

I will try to fix it myself over the weekend or in next few days. Any videos or inputs on how to remove the front Logan bumper? also planning to get a hot air gun so that I can build some material for the clamp and fix it back. This should be an good DIY job.

Bumpers are not there to protect our cars !!!! a Bumpers main job is to protect People who may just get hit by them ! ie absorb the impact away from the body and send it to the restraining bolts and hinges on the bumper
Drive safely folks

+1 to you Stu.

For people owning/driving the cars, the bumper may be something that cosmetically beautifies the exterior. But, their real purpose is to absorb energy on impact. The plastic hooks/clips are made in a way that they geat sheared away easily.

Figure this: If you were to bump into a pedestrian reather than another vehicle, what would you want? Damage to the pedestrian?
You might actually be releived to know that you were better of paying for your own bumper that bear hefty medical bills of the pedestrian.

All cars now come with plastic hinges / clips and screws that cvan shear away easily. These are to avoid pedestrian injury. At low speeds ofcourse.

And remember, you can always drive your car without a bumper. But you cannot drive your car without you in the seat (if behind bars)

+2 to Stu and Surya.

Can anyone tell me as how to remove bumper? I guess there are few star screws and rest are all clamps holding. But just want to know a bit more before I venture out in DIY.

@ MCL.
I'd recommend visiting their workshop and look for an already opened bumper. That will give you an idea on the location of the hinges and the direction in which you will need to apply force to get it out appropriately.

or download the pdf workshop books from here