I guess somebody banged into my rear bumper while I was parked--came back and it was at a bit of an odd angle. No damage to the surface, but when I looked underneath the steel bumper is essentially hanging onto square things protruding from the bumper shocks with some steel clips. Whatever held the bumper onto the rest of the square thing has let go.

Is this something where I could clean the surfaces and JBWeld it?

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1982 240D automatic
Odometer quit at 307K...about 325K now

I looked under mine, the bumper shock is held to the body with 2 bolts, the end of the shock appears to be some kind of plate that is captured between the bumper and the square plate that the end of the shock passes thru. The plate is them held to the bumper with 4 smaller bolts.

That bumper is the lifeline for the car and passengers, especially in the rear seat. I would be very hesitant to want to JB weld anything when it's just as easy and relatively inexpensive to replace the shock assembly. JB weld has no strength against the impact forces of a collision.

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Chris
64 190D R.I.P.
80 240D W/617 engine -for sale
82 240D -for sale

I have an 85 bumper, and the black arms, I guess they are shocks. there are 2 L brackets about 4in long fasteded to the bumper top and botton. the square end of the shock slides behind these L brackets. then the bumper is held to the car with 3 studs & 17mm nuts.

I have a rear bumper off a 1980 300D mounted on the 85. the shocks are bolted to the bumper with 4 bolts. and then the three on the body.

The 80 bumper is 1/4 in thick. the 85 is really thin, guess MB`s weight reduction back in those days.

don`t use duct tape, bailing wire or JB weld. do it right. just go to PNP, that is where I got my 80 bumper.

Charlie ☺

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there were three HP ratings on the OM616...

1) Not much power
2) Even less power
3) Not nearly enough power!! 240D w/auto

Anyone that thinks a 240D is slow drives too fast.

80 240D Naturally Exasperated, 4-Spd 388k DD 150mph spedo 3:58 Diff

We are advised to NOT judge ALL Muslims by the actions of a few lunatics, but we are encouraged to judge ALL gun owners by the actions of a few lunatics. Funny how that works

Ok, took the advice and went to a picknpull, paid $38 for the bumper (how bad did I get taken?). It's not perfect either but at least the brackets on the inside that hold the shock are still there and seem solid (there was only one W123 in the place so I couldn't be choosy). The chrome on the outside's not as shiny though

What are these things made out of anyway? Seems to be corroding into a white powder--is this zinc or something? If I wire-wheel and POR-15 the brackets is that going to stop the corrosion?

Also, the rubber on the bumper mount is better on this, but not perfect. Can I get new rubbers separately or do I have to buy whole shocks?

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1982 240D automatic
Odometer quit at 307K...about 325K now

The bumpers are made out of aluminium. I changed mine out because corosion was getting under the chrome and it was pealing off in big chunks.

The going price at PNP is about $40.00. I didn`t pay for mine, I was buying a whole lot of parts, and it didn`t get noticed. I was driving home and looking at the reciept when I noticed they didn`t charge me.

Next weekend will be 50% off

I don`t know if you can get new rubbers, I think you mean where the shock attaches to the bumper. maybe from the dealer.

charlie ☺

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there were three HP ratings on the OM616...

1) Not much power
2) Even less power
3) Not nearly enough power!! 240D w/auto

Anyone that thinks a 240D is slow drives too fast.

80 240D Naturally Exasperated, 4-Spd 388k DD 150mph spedo 3:58 Diff

We are advised to NOT judge ALL Muslims by the actions of a few lunatics, but we are encouraged to judge ALL gun owners by the actions of a few lunatics. Funny how that works

Not on the W123.

then what are they made out of? they sure aren`t steel. maybe an aluminium aloy.

Charlie

__________________
there were three HP ratings on the OM616...

1) Not much power
2) Even less power
3) Not nearly enough power!! 240D w/auto

Anyone that thinks a 240D is slow drives too fast.

80 240D Naturally Exasperated, 4-Spd 388k DD 150mph spedo 3:58 Diff

We are advised to NOT judge ALL Muslims by the actions of a few lunatics, but we are encouraged to judge ALL gun owners by the actions of a few lunatics. Funny how that works

I believe its cast iron.

I know for sure that the bumpers I hefted yesterday were NOT iron or steel. Too light and not a sign of rust. If it is aluminum, I'd like to know as I'm sure I can get several bucks for my corroded one at a scrapyard.

__________________
1982 240D automatic
Odometer quit at 307K...about 325K now

It can't be aluminum, magnets stick to it too well.

Well, this is outside my expertise. I just measured it, if it were flat it would be about 5' 8" long, 13" wide and 1/4" thick. I don't have a scale but people have posted elsewhere they're around 40 pounds. It did feel a little heavy for aluminum. Maybe someone who knows materials can venture a guess.

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1982 240D automatic
Odometer quit at 307K...about 325K now

OK, maybe in Colorado you guys need cast iron bumpers,

I just went out to my tool box and got my magnet. front bumper, no stick, rear bumper, no stick.

Charlie ☺

__________________
there were three HP ratings on the OM616...

1) Not much power
2) Even less power
3) Not nearly enough power!! 240D w/auto

Anyone that thinks a 240D is slow drives too fast.

80 240D Naturally Exasperated, 4-Spd 388k DD 150mph spedo 3:58 Diff

We are advised to NOT judge ALL Muslims by the actions of a few lunatics, but we are encouraged to judge ALL gun owners by the actions of a few lunatics. Funny how that works

Well, this is weird. I got a magnet off my fridge. It does stick to the bumper, kind of. I'd say about half as strong as it sticks to the fridge. Again, knowing next-to-nothing about metals, I'd guess it's an odd alloy that has a bit of iron in it, but it's not steel. Is there such a thing as an aluminum-iron alloy? I moved some ramps earlier today that are steel...definitely heavier in relation to size.

Anyway, there goes my idea of getting some bucks back from the recycler with my 40-pound aluminum bumper.

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1982 240D automatic
Odometer quit at 307K...about 325K now

I don't know the chemical properties of the bumpers but they seem to be sort of a cross between aluminum and steel. They don't rust and they are a lot stronger than plain aluminum. They are some sort of an alloy, I think. The old volvo bumpers are about the same stuff.

If you have ever tried drilling a hole in them you will know they are not ordinary aluminum.

Tom W

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[SIGPIC] Diesel loving autocrossing grandpa Architect. 08 Dodge 3/4 ton with Cummins & six speed; I have had about 35 benzes. I have a 39 Studebaker Coupe Express pickup in which I have had installed a 617 turbo and a five speed manual.[SIGPIC]

..I also have a 427 Cobra replica with an aluminum chassis.

Perhaps they are the T-66 alloy hardened aluminum, hard to drill and bend, but the weight and corrosion properties of aluminum? Mine appear to be aluminum or an alloy of it as well. Titanium I know has a lot of the same properties at first appearance as T-66, but I have my doubts they'd use that, & it scratches way too easily.

Herring- When you placed the magnet on the bumper, where was it? If you were near the mounting areas could it have been the shock magnetizing through the bumper possibly?

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Chris
64 190D R.I.P.
80 240D W/617 engine -for sale
82 240D -for sale