RodC

This is annoying me. My bumper seems to hang too low, leaving big gaps below the headlights. Pretty sure it's not normal. Anyone else? Any suggestions for how to pull up the bumper a little bit?

DjEzE

did u take the bumper off at one point?

RodC

6 or 7 times. Is there a technique to putting it back without the gap? Because every time I put it back, the gaps have always been there. It was even like that the first time.

DjEzE

maybe ur not tightening the bolts very well. or ur missing a bolt somewhere. same thing happened to me. and i missed like 2 bolts.

RodC

Which bolts? In its current state, I left 6 bolts off because I only put it on temporarily and it will be coming off again in a couple of days. But last time I used all the bolts and it still looked bad. I assume the bottom bolts have nothing to do with the top gaps, right? The only thing holding the bumper up at the top is those little plastic clips.

DjEzE

ok r the lights aftermarket or r they still ur originals?

RodC

Original lights. I also think the hood gap is too big. Do you know which bolts you were missing when you had the same problem?

DjEzE

if im not mistaken there are 2 in the middle and one like right where the headlight ends (bye the tire) check the plastic things see if they're still alive? does it wiggle?

RodC

Well I left off the bolts by the tires and the ones which reach back under the plastic. But the critical ones are in place. I can push up the bumper from below with my hands and it looks great. I problem is in the middle of the bumper at the top. I am thinking about using zip ties to pull it up, using the holes where the plastic plugs go.

DjEzE

lol thats what i used when i lost my bolts. it held better than the bolts.

RodC

Awesome, I'll do that. I have some leftover from the Figure grille install. I'll get some more at Home Depot. Those things are strong!

DjEzE

and they wont get lose from driving on ____ty roads

paul34

Naa, its normal unfortunately

But hey, it was Toyota's attempt at a cheap car. All things considered, I'm glad the only "problems" are some of the gaps between the hood and front clip and headlights and front clip.

RodC

I still think mine is worse than normal. Here are some more pics:

rvpps2rocks

yes this is actually very normal for a tc. i saw it on mine and was ____ed...and i went to go look at a new tc at the dealership it had it too...so its normal i guess something i can cope with

RodC

Hmm, guess maybe I can deal with it. But it seems like some other people don't have that problem. I was looking at the "post pics of your engine bay" thread and I saw lots of headlight shots without the huge gap.

BTW, where are you in Simi Valley? I live just over the hill by Boeing/Rocketdyne.

rvpps2rocks

i live off of tapo canyon ...u should come down for the tuesday night meets we have every tuesday at 730 infront of mens wearhouse ...u cant miss the lines of cars. but for those u saw without the gap give it time...

JOEinSD

i have that same problem. noticed it a year ago.. as well as on my friends tC.

elite-fusion

can you please post picutres of where the bolts are maybe? because i recently bought an 05 tc, and i notices there are ALOT of gaps, and judging by the pics that the original poster has posted, mine are a bit worse so if someone can, please post pictures of where the bolts are. Thank you

2_tC

All of the bolts/screws are under the car and wheel wells. They're more for securing the splash shields than for holding the bumper up.

The bumper is held up mostly by plastic pushpins under the hood and plastic clips under the headlights, that's why it tends to sag.