Topic: 68 Outer Bumper Arm: Rubber Piece

[Sunlitgold68]

Anybody know the purpose of the 4 or 5 inch ribbed rubber piece that slides over the end of the outer bumper support arm on the 68's? I have 1 of mine, did both arms have these pieces? Just curious as to what they are for.

[cobrajetchris]

I have the same part on my 69-70 models and always wondered what it was for as well. I believe they were all on the rt. side only on my cars. CHRIS

[CharlesTurner]

I believe they were there to prevent metal to metal contact between the bumper arm and valence/headlight assy.  On original arms there is a metal tab to keep the sleeve from sliding down.

[Sunlitgold68]

I noticed those tabs, do you know if both sides had them or just 1? Can't believe mine never fell off in 285,000 miles..... will definitely clean the piece and reinstall.

[CharlesTurner]

Always seen them on both sides.

[Murf]

You guys made me curious!  Just looked at our 68 CS ( a pretty good, untampered with car in most respects) and it has them on both outer bumper brace tubes.  They consist on this car on a length of rubber hose, very much like heater hose.  Each one has a ribbed section and that is where the "split" is made.  They are now a rather oblong shape but could have been round when they were new.  The split follows the ribbed area and appears too precise to have been hacked up by someone.  They are easy to remove and it is hard to imagine that they have remained in place for 42 years.  Am unable to post images here but if anyone wants a picture I will remove them and email a photo to someone who will post it.  Anyway, at least on this particular car the rubber hose is indeed on both sides and toward the forward edge of the tubular brace. 

[Sunlitgold68]

I'm in need of 1 original if anybody has an extra. thanks

[gtamustang]

John,

I believe I have one that we can use on your restoration.

Regareds,
Pete Morgan

[Sunlitgold68]

Sounds good Pete, thanks

[dkknab]

Thought I would add to this old thread that I stumbled upon searching info about heater hoses.  These are the split hoses on the front bumper supports.  I have both of mine.  They were painted over some when the car got a respray. The one pictured on the left appears to have sound deadener spayed on the bottom.  They are also different lengths.

PS it's even listed on the assembly manual as C7ZB-17B947-B insulator.

[Bob Gaines]

Thought I would add to this old thread that I stumbled upon searching info about heater hoses.  These are the split hoses on the front bumper supports.  I have both of mine.  They were painted over some when the car got a respray. The one pictured on the left appears to have sound deadener spayed on the bottom.  They are also different lengths.

PS it's even listed on the assembly manual as C7ZB-17B947-B insulator.

You may have stumbled upon them while searching info about heater hoses but do not be fooled into thinking that they are made from heater hose. They are made from a different diameter then heater hose. Used is your best source for replacements. The drain hose from fastback vent boxes look to be a exact match but they are as hard to find and consequently pricy to use as donors. Of course heater hose is what the majority use to replace missing ones although not technically correct.

[dkknab]

Thank you Bob. By the way my car while it had the split insulators on the supports, it did not have the 2 smaller insulators on the inner bumper supports.

Speaking of which what should be the finish on the front bumper supports? Mine are partially black and partially body color of which I assuming happened when the body was repainted. Should they be all black? Are there any pictures I could refer to?

I did see on this unrestored car pictures https://www.concoursmustang.com/forum/index.php?topic=5405.msg30574#msg30574 the supports nearest the frame are black.  Does that extend all the way to the bumper?

[Bob Gaines]

Thank you Bob. By the way my car while it had the split insulators on the supports, it did not have the 2 smaller insulators on the inner bumper supports.

Speaking of which what should be the finish on the front bumper supports? Mine are partially black and partially body color of which I assuming happened when the body was repainted. Should they be all black? Are there any pictures I could refer to?

I did see on this unrestored car pictures https://www.concoursmustang.com/forum/index.php?topic=5405.msg30574#msg30574 the supports nearest the frame are black.  Does that extend all the way to the bumper?

They are semi gloss black .They were added after the car was painted so there should not be any body color overspray.

[dkknab]

One other thing related to the front bumper brackets.  What is the finish of the bolts attaching the brackets to the frame rail?

From this same car,  https://www.concoursmustang.com/forum/index.php?topic=5405.msg30574#msg30574, they appear to be unpainted.

[Bob Gaines]

One other thing related to the front bumper brackets.  What is the finish of the bolts attaching the brackets to the frame rail?

From this same car,  https://www.concoursmustang.com/forum/index.php?topic=5405.msg30574#msg30574, they appear to be unpainted.

You should have assemblyline manuals given your detailed questions. The bolts and the finish designations are shown in the illustrations.