Rear bumper

all them are, are hardware store bolts with washers and keepers no brackets were reused

So...all this talk prompted me to size up the job of separating the bumper from the support of the '76 Laguna bumper I picked up this Spring. This thing has a factory trailer hitch installed...which I want to remove. It also has the bumper rub strip. In addition, I see that the bottom bolts are threaded into what appears to be four-sided nuts that might be spot-welded...rather than using the bolt retainer clips that I've got on my Monte (and you, Mali, show on your bumper). Reason for this is that the bumper lip extends further in and those spring retainer clips aren't that deep. Anyway, I soaked them for two days and took a shot at one of the bottom bolts that also holds one end of the support bracket for the hitch. Hardly put any force on it before it snapped off. Now what? Not too keen on drilling out every bottom bolt. At least with the spring clip retainers, you could work the edge of the bumper off the broken stud end and then pry the retainer off the edge of the bumper support. The other problem I already foresee is getting the rub strip nuts off without spinning the bolt head inside the strip. Of course, those all have to come off before I can separate the bumper from support. Looking at the rusted threads, I'm not sure even PB Blaster is gonna help with these. Am I better off just leaving everything alone and maybe just focus on getting the hitch off?

The pic I posted of the bottom bolt on mine shows where the retainer broke and the bolt had become an integral part of it too if you look real close. Don't think anything would have got that loose. What I did on that one was cut of the hex head almost flush to the bumper then used a carbide tipped masonry drill bit and went about 1/8 to 1/4" into the bolt. Once again broke out the Dremel tool w/ a small quick change cut off wheel and cut "pizza" slices into it. Then I took a nail set and hammered the outer edges towards the middle...most of the "slices" broke off then the bolt was able to be hammered out the other side when I separated the bumpers. I will use the nail set to finish getting the bolt out...you can see the remnants below. By then I was pooped out and had had enough considering I also had to deal w/ the remaining chrome bumper bolts. NOT FUN! But persistence pays off in the end w/ lots of patience.

Found a great distributor for the Por 15....Rose Marine in Gloucester, MA
978-283-3334
Quarts of Flat Black- $37.00
Quarts Marine Clean Degreaser- $9.95
Quarts Metal Ready Prep- $14.85
They ship all over. Most people want at least $47.00/quart everywhere I've looked, some even $58.00. Thought it was a good deal and will be using on the rear inner bumper and the inside of the outer bumper. Will post pics after application.

Pics after Por15 on inner bumper. Wish this black color photographed better. Keep in mind that they're close-ups and the majority of the piece is in very good condition (IMHO). 1st few are of worst areas after removal of scale and using their cleaner and metal prep, then the Por15. This stuff levels right into the peaks & valleys of the rough metal. Prop's to Laguna Budman

very nice progress is progress

Wonder how many of us will get on road before end of year LOL

It can't come soon enough for me. Hopefully springtime.