Aluminess Rear Bumper Spacers Question

[seal]

Im putting on a new rear e series bumper with swing outs. I took the swing outs off to make installation easier and shoulda but dident take a pic first. I have a large gap as shown in the pics. The spacers are are all the same thickness but something doesnt seem right. From top to bottom shouldnt it be?

1. Upper Bolt
2. Washer
3. hinge tab attached to bumper
4. spacer
5. hinge tab attached to pivot
6. spacer
7. hinge tab attached to bumper
8. washer
9. nut
10. Lower Bolt
11. Spacer
12. Bumper
13. Washer
14. Nut

[snomad]

to confirm

[boywonder]

Having built my own bumper using Aluminess swingarms.....the spacers have at least 2 important jobs.......

They reduce/eliminate the swingarm and box/tire from slamming up and down vertically when the driving is rough.

..and they get the swingarm at just the right height to slide up on the delrin sloped blocks on the top of the bumper when closed. When the swingarm is latched there shouldn't be any noticeable vertical slop.

Having vertical slop and a loaded box puts lots of stress on the swingarms when driving on rough stuff.

I have a lathe so I ended up making custom thickness Delrin disks to get everything tight and at the correct height.

If you can stick a metal washer in the joint shown..I would do that. a stainless fender washer. Are you sure all the spacers are the same thickness?

[seal]

Originally Posted by snomad

to confirm

Thanks for the pic, what about the very bottom one? Is it bulging at all?

On mine the upper most spacer is a pretty tight fight, the only thing I can think of is that the bottom bolt needs to be tightened more which would draw the entire thing down but at the same time seems like it would be crushing the bottom spacer.

[bigriver]

Originally Posted by boywonder

..and they get the swingarm at just the right height to slide up on the delrin sloped blocks on the top of the bumper when closed. When the swingarm is latched there shouldn't be any noticeable vertical slop.

About this... I bought and installed the Aluminess swing arm tire rack last Fall and it did not come with this bumper/spacer for the end by the latch. When contacted they said they don't have those. Seems to be an essential part for those of us banging around a lot. Any ideas where to source?

[bigriver]

As I think about it... probably could find a plastic cutting board and cut it down. Maybe answered my own question.

[Twoxentrix]

Originally Posted by bigriver

About this... I bought and installed the Aluminess swing arm tire rack last Fall and it did not come with this bumper/spacer for the end by the latch. When contacted they said they don't have those. Seems to be an essential part for those of us banging around a lot. Any ideas where to source?

Yeh, made no sense to me that they didn't come with the bumper assembly in the first place - Seems an important item designed to enhance structural integrity. It was an 'accessory' you had to order separately (assuming you knew it even existed!).

Joe,
Would you be up for Christmas a little early? PM your address. I have an extra set which has just been sitting around now for the last 3+ years. Still in the original packaging w/all hardware. I already have a double set supporting my swingarms. Had ordered these as back-up to use when the ones mounted would start to wear down...they don't wear!

[snomad]

Originally Posted by seal

what about the very bottom one? Is it bulging at all?

No bulge observed.

[doublevan2]

bigriver Joe - that's a very generous offer from Felix ! Another reason this forum is top notch ! I was gonna suggest GoodWill - my favorite "gotta find it - gotta have it - I can bend it twist it to work" place ! You rock Felix !

[bigriver]

See kids... there really is a Santa Claus!

PM sent... very generous Felix - much appreciated.