Straighten the end of a dock bumper - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

demian5 · 08-03-2020, 12:58 PM

Hey everyone - I was rear ended and am getting the truck repaired. My dock bumper had previous damage, but id like to get the bed fixed and straighten the OG bumper. Any suggestions on doing it myself? Heat? Hammer?Gas anyone done this themselves?

Ziegelsteinfaust · 08-03-2020, 01:09 PM

Your better off taking it to a bumper repair place. Then have jigs, and presses to move that thing. Unless you already have or have access to that stuff, and just want to try.

demian5 · 08-03-2020, 05:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ziegelsteinfaust

Your better off taking it to a bumper repair place. Then have jigs, and presses to move that thing. Unless you already have or have access to that stuff, and just want to try.

Thanks man!

**special-K** · 08-03-2020, 08:31 PM

Dock bumper, ey? That's the first I ever heard that before. I picture the bumpers you see on loading docks. I think you found your answer

firedemon · 08-03-2020, 08:41 PM

torch with a rosebud tip and a BFH and some patience will fix that

saxart · 08-04-2020, 09:44 AM

If you want it perfect, take it to a bodyshop. If you want to do it yourself and are happy with making it 95% better, I've used this technique multiple times with success.

Wrap a chain around a tree that's at least 8" across. You want the center of the chain around the tree so the two end hooks can attach to your bumper. Hook the chain ends on the bottom edge of the bumper. For that bend you're going to want to position the truck so the tree is at the very corner of the bumper, and have the chain wrapped on the tree just below waist level so it pulls UP and OUT on the bumper.

Put the truck in neutral, have about 12" of slack in the chain, and roll the truck away from the tree so that the chain tightens and pulls the bumper up and away from the truck as you roll the truck. (You obviously need to be on level ground for this to work and may need a helper to help push the truck). Each time you do this, watch the bumper as the chain tightens and you'll see if it's pulling at the correct angle and adjust as necessary. By pushing the truck (and not driving it against the chain) you can see what's going on, and have very good control over how much "pull" you're applying with each roll. It will take multiple pulls, and you'll probably be surprised at how much force it takes to pull that bumper back out, but it does work. The key is placement of the hooks on the bumper, placement of the tree, and height of the chain on the tree.

GASoline71 · 08-04-2020, 10:19 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by special-K

Dock bumper, ey? That's the first I ever heard that before. I picture the bumpers you see on loading docks. I think you found your answer

Me too. Not to change the subject of the OP's thread. But I always like to hear the different things truck parts are called by different people.

Gary

71gmcC15 · 08-04-2020, 10:41 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by saxart

If you want it perfect, take it to a bodyshop. If you want to do it yourself and are happy with making it 95% better, I've used this technique multiple times with success.

Wrap a chain around a tree that's at least 8" across. You want the center of the chain around the tree so the two end hooks can attach to your bumper. Hook the chain ends on the bottom edge of the bumper. For that bend you're going to want to position the truck so the tree is at the very corner of the bumper, and have the chain wrapped on the tree just below waist level so it pulls UP and OUT on the bumper.

Put the truck in neutral, have about 12" of slack in the chain, and roll the truck away from the tree so that the chain tightens and pulls the bumper up and away from the truck as you roll the truck. (You obviously need to be on level ground for this to work and may need a helper to help push the truck). Each time you do this, watch the bumper as the chain tightens and you'll see if it's pulling at the correct angle and adjust as necessary. By pushing the truck (and not driving it against the chain) you can see what's going on, and have very good control over how much "pull" you're applying with each roll. It will take multiple pulls, and you'll probably be surprised at how much force it takes to pull that bumper back out, but it does work. The key is placement of the hooks on the bumper, placement of the tree, and height of the chain on the tree.

Definitely dont drive it. The hooks can do more damage then good. My old bumper was straightened in a similar fation along with angle grinder cuts. It was destroyed.

demian5 · 08-04-2020, 11:04 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by saxart

If you want it perfect, take it to a bodyshop. If you want to do it yourself and are happy with making it 95% better, I've used this technique multiple times with success.

Wrap a chain around a tree that's at least 8" across. You want the center of the chain around the tree so the two end hooks can attach to your bumper. Hook the chain ends on the bottom edge of the bumper. For that bend you're going to want to position the truck so the tree is at the very corner of the bumper, and have the chain wrapped on the tree just below waist level so it pulls UP and OUT on the bumper.

Put the truck in neutral, have about 12" of slack in the chain, and roll the truck away from the tree so that the chain tightens and pulls the bumper up and away from the truck as you roll the truck. (You obviously need to be on level ground for this to work and may need a helper to help push the truck). Each time you do this, watch the bumper as the chain tightens and you'll see if it's pulling at the correct angle and adjust as necessary. By pushing the truck (and not driving it against the chain) you can see what's going on, and have very good control over how much "pull" you're applying with each roll. It will take multiple pulls, and you'll probably be surprised at how much force it takes to pull that bumper back out, but it does work. The key is placement of the hooks on the bumper, placement of the tree, and height of the chain on the tree.

Yes I'm in the same predicament with one of the fenders on my old boat trailer...

**'68OrangeSunshine** · 08-05-2020, 12:59 AM

Are the struts underneath straight? On my step bumper, from repeated hitting of unseen rear objects in reverse, there was a ''V'' kinked into the drivers side strut.
We took it off the truck, heated the metal and ''corrected it'' with a BFH. Also some sections at the ends had separated, so we welded seams back in. Some silver spraypaint over the welds and it looked great.
When we put it back together, we added a Class III trailer hitch.

08-03-2020, 12:58 PM	#1
demian5 Registered User Join Date: Aug 2016 Location: Lake Forest, CA Posts: 2,178	Straighten the end of a dock bumper Hey everyone - I was rear ended and am getting the truck repaired. My dock bumper had previous damage, but id like to get the bed fixed and straighten the OG bumper. Any suggestions on doing it myself? Heat? Hammer?Gas anyone done this themselves? Attached Images __________________ "Work hard, use your vacation days." 1970 C15 GMC Long Bed 1986 C20 Scottsdale 1983 K2500 Sierra Classic Suburban 6.2 Instagram: C10sofOC

08-03-2020, 01:09 PM	#2
Ziegelsteinfaust Registered User Join Date: Dec 2012 Location: Temple City Posts: 3,666	Re: Straighten the end of a dock bumper Your better off taking it to a bumper repair place. Then have jigs, and presses to move that thing. Unless you already have or have access to that stuff, and just want to try.

08-03-2020, 08:31 PM	#4
special-K Special Order Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: Mt Airy, MD Posts: 85,851	Re: Straighten the end of a dock bumper Dock bumper, ey? That's the first I ever heard that before. I picture the bumpers you see on loading docks. I think you found your answer __________________ "BUILDING A BETTER WAY TO SERVE THE USA"......67/72......"The New Breed" GMC '67 C1500 Wideside Super Custom SWB: 327/M22/3.42 posi.........."The '67" (project) GMC '72 K2500 Wideside Sierra Custom Camper: 350/TH350/4.10 Power-Lok..."The '72" (rolling) Tim "Don't call me a redneck. I'm a rough cut country gentleman" R.I.P. ~ East Side Low Life ~ El Jay ~ 72BLUZ ~ Fasteddie69 ~ Ron586 ~ 67ChevyRedneck ~ Grumpy Old Man ~

08-03-2020, 08:41 PM	#5
firedemon Registered User Join Date: Jun 2015 Location: @ Posts: 890	Re: Straighten the end of a dock bumper torch with a rosebud tip and a BFH and some patience will fix that

08-04-2020, 09:44 AM	#6
saxart Registered User Join Date: Aug 2012 Location: St. Croix River Valley, WI Posts: 795	Re: Straighten the end of a dock bumper If you want it perfect, take it to a bodyshop. If you want to do it yourself and are happy with making it 95% better, I've used this technique multiple times with success. Wrap a chain around a tree that's at least 8" across. You want the center of the chain around the tree so the two end hooks can attach to your bumper. Hook the chain ends on the bottom edge of the bumper. For that bend you're going to want to position the truck so the tree is at the very corner of the bumper, and have the chain wrapped on the tree just below waist level so it pulls UP and OUT on the bumper. Put the truck in neutral, have about 12" of slack in the chain, and roll the truck away from the tree so that the chain tightens and pulls the bumper up and away from the truck as you roll the truck. (You obviously need to be on level ground for this to work and may need a helper to help push the truck). Each time you do this, watch the bumper as the chain tightens and you'll see if it's pulling at the correct angle and adjust as necessary. By pushing the truck (and not driving it against the chain) you can see what's going on, and have very good control over how much "pull" you're applying with each roll. It will take multiple pulls, and you'll probably be surprised at how much force it takes to pull that bumper back out, but it does work. The key is placement of the hooks on the bumper, placement of the tree, and height of the chain on the tree. __________________ Meet "Old Roy": http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=707801

08-05-2020, 12:59 AM	#10
'68OrangeSunshine Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2002 Location: Tucson, AZ USA Posts: 7,641	Re: Straighten the end of a dock bumper Are the struts underneath straight? On my step bumper, from repeated hitting of unseen rear objects in reverse, there was a ''V'' kinked into the drivers side strut. We took it off the truck, heated the metal and ''corrected it'' with a BFH. Also some sections at the ends had separated, so we welded seams back in. Some silver spraypaint over the welds and it looked great. When we put it back together, we added a Class III trailer hitch. __________________ Every 25 years I like to rebuild that 292, whether it needs it or not.



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