Door bumpers with copper clip

[saltman]

Only after ruining a set of these bumpers, did I checkin in at Fordbarn to see if I could find some enlightening advice on how to install them. But, about all I found were the same problems that I have encountered. In my opinion, at this point, is that the things just don't fit as they should.. The upper and lower bumpers don't appear to be molded to the correct shape and are probably too long. The same is about true with the copper clip. The ones I just received, I got from Snyder's and came as part of a set. They should be sold individually since it will take a half dozen or so to figure out what triming and bending needs to be done. The old bumpers that I pulled out had the concave side up on the top and down on the bottom. Could be right or wrong. NONETHELESS, since the last entries about the installation of these bumpers, is there any recent aquired wisdom regarding this matter? Thanks Always... SALTMAN

PS: Is it just me or what? What happend to quality, US Made stuff?

 

[BILL WILLIAMSON]

Yo, Salty,
I "think" I remember that there are a lots of variations in these kits, depending on which body style/year you have. Bill W.

 

[Bob C]

Here is a picture Marco posted that may help.

Bob

 

[saltman]

I just installed the second door bumper. I did reshape the profile of the copper clip. The back is too high and boxey. I did this easily by using the end end of a bolt about the right size and gently hammered the clip into shape. I also, reshaped the front of the clip a bit by pretty much the same method so it would fit the bumper(s) profile. I did not change the bumpers at all... probably could have shortened them because of the resistance they give in trying to tuck the outer lips of the clip into place. Regardless, I sprayed a lot of WD-40 on the installed bumpers and shoved the clip straight in. It really did go easier than I thought. Then, using small needle-nose pliers, I managed to get the upper and lower lips of the clip behind the metal door face and the bumpers. Once in, I took a small piece of hardwood (something plastic or even a scewdrive will work) and worked everything into its proper position ( I would recommend shortening the front of the bumpers perhaps 1/32" or so to give more allowance for the lips of the clips.. otherwise the bumpers will be difficult to get in proper position. However, this may vary by vendor) Although not perfect, 'IF' I had another set or two, I would certainly master installing these... just as Ford's employees did. I knew, from the amout of these that had been installed initially that, the clips had to have been pushed in rather than slid in from the side. SALTMAN

PS: WD-40 is a MUST! AND, I might want to extend an apology to Snyder's for their 'seemingly' ill-fitting bumpers.

 

[BILL WILLIAMSON]

PS: WD-40 is a MUST! AND, I might want to extend an apology to Snyder's for their 'seemingly' ill-fitting bumpers.

Saltman,
You're a TRUE GENTLEMAN to apologize to Snyder's!! Can you imagine all the GUFF them folks take frum us ooold GROUCHY men who don't know how to improvise when something doesn't just fit "LIKE A GLOVE"!! Like complaining about shrunken gaskets that you bought 17 years ago! Bill W.

 

[ericr]

would you guys speculate that the originals were more likely the density of sponge rubber?

 

[Tom Wesenberg]

would you guys speculate that the originals were more likely the density of sponge rubber?

The originals are solid rubber as seen in this original. It's important to reshape the repro rubber parts to match the original shape. The same goes for the metal part. I think Marco has some pictures on his site that will show the shape of the rubber parts.

 

[Blessyouboys]

would you guys speculate that the originals were more likely the density of sponge rubber?

No.