Bumper grilles and covers: replacement and selection

When and why it is necessary to replace bumper grilles and covers

Manufacturers do not set exact service life limits for bumper grilles and covers. The parts are to be replaced at their integrity violation. Also, in some cases, a new grille or cover is installed if fastening elements of the previous one are broken down, which led to loosening of the component. The metal components are to be replaced in case of severe corrosion.

Mechanical damages, particularly, cracks on the bumper grilles or fog light trim covers can appear because of hitting of large stones to them. Moreover, careless driving or an impact, received in a road accident can lead to defectiveness of the components.

Destruction of the fastening elements can occur because of operation of a car with a damaged bumper. Corrosion is a consequence of moisture effect. Particularly, the components contact with water during car wash.

Mechanical damages and corrosion signs are visible to the naked eye. And displacement of the components can be noticed at fasteners loosening. Moreover, damaging of fastening elements of the grilles and covers is often pointed out by rattling sound during driving.

It is recommended to perform replacement of the components at a service station, as there is a risk that car paintwork damage appears if you have no special tools and corresponding work experience. In addition, in some cases there is necessity to demount the bumper for installation of the grille or cover. This should be performed in accordance with instruction, provided in the car technical documentation.

How to select bumper grilles and covers

The bumper covers can be solid or with a special hole for a fog light. The grilles differ one from another by cells size. The smaller the cell is, the more protected from small stones the bumper is.

For production of the grilles and covers, manufacturers mostly use aluminum, steel or plastic. The aluminum products have quite small weight, while the steel ones are considered more durable. The most common are plastic grilles and covers. Their main advantage lies in the fact that they are resistant to corrosion.

In order to make the components serve you long, give preference to products from proven manufacturers. So, high quality parts are presented in the assortment of such brands as Johns and VAICO.

If you want to get a great deal purchasing the grilles and covers, use compliance to the car body type as your main guide. Consider the mounting location of the grilles and covers: the front or rear. For the fog light trim covers, side of mounting is no less important: parts for left and right mounting are available on sale. Moreover, the components significantly differ one from another by sizes, shape and fastening type.