infuriating bumper fitment issue
 

I purchased this 2014 FRS used a few months ago, and I'm pretty sure it was previously owned by the dumbest human being to ever draw breath, and boy they liked to do upgrades.


My current hang up on what has become a restoration more or less is the horrid bumper gaps.





https://i.imgur.com/dSkf1ap.jpg



so this is after, AFTER replacing the bumper clips replacing all the little plastic snaps and addons and about 6 hours of effort to make it fit right... thats the best I can make it.




https://i.imgur.com/xV8v8si.jpg


this is what the bumper holes look like when I position the right side of the bumper so that it fits properly and doesen't have the huge gap.


its like something just off, not as in its just not popping in correctly, its just completely OFF.


I am out of ideas, and I would love to at least get this to look a little better so I can move on to fixing the next scewup on my list.

Ok wow so I think I may have fixed it, I removed the side marker, and the vertical bolt (previously a clip) and pulled the bumper BACK untill it lined up, drilled a new hole, installed a quick clip (m6) and put it all back together.


https://i.imgur.com/7Ztw4LX.jpg




Time will tell but a good bit of shaking and pulling didnt make it budge..


Why did I have to do this to fix it? who knows, I'm still finding lots of things the previous owner errmm "upgraded" so there is no telling.

Two suggestions:

1. Go to google.com and paste the following into the search box:

site:ft86club.com bumper gap

Many threads dealing with this issue should appear.

2. Check out this thread regarding a factory TSB:

https://www.ft86club.com/forums/showthread.php?t=132308

many MANY hours beyond this step.

That research is what lead to me purchasing the replacement bumper clips and replacing the plastic snap with a bolt and quick clip above the side marker. Ive also watched everything related on youtube

Could you share some pics? Was this just a bolt for you or a fix it kit offered by a vendor. Just fixed the same issue myself yesterday, but put it back together with those push button clips. Seems kind of odd to me those corners end up being the key location to keep the front clip from slopping around.

Having to yank the front clip to change a headlight a year or so back back prompted me to order several bags of those clips since several broke when prying them loose.

I often miss the old school way of putting cars together with metal fasteners. At least there's a couple holding that front end on.

Did you get your hands on the Bumper Clip Plate - Subaru Part Number: 57722CA030 - called out for in the Subaru TSB above?



That clip should make a more positive attachment for the clip closest to the headlight, as long as the "D" shaped attachment on the fascia has not been torn.

Quick release buttons
 

I got annoyed with my bumper fitment. I got these on Ebay for around $15. I took about 30 minutes per side to install.

nice. can i go and push these two buttons and walkaway?

I forgot to mention that my bumper was already off when I installed these. Once you get everything lined up, you just push to snap them in place. To remove, push the buttons, pull, and it pops off.

nothing's stopping you from pulling the valve cores out of any vehicle with schrader valves either.


just saying, if the goal is chaos, at least be equal-opportunity about it.