ZL1 front bumper gap - Camaro5 Chevy Camaro Forum / Camaro ZL1, SS and V6 Forums

ZL1-PA · 03-29-2015, 07:24 PM

Anyone else have this issue?
I removed the bumper cover looking for something that might be in the way but it seems fine.
When you slide the bumper into place, it stops where it should, but the gap is there.
The bolts are all tight.
The right side gap is larger than the left.

Any thoughts or suggestions?
The fenders don't seem like they would slide forward due to the fact of where they are bolted in the door jamb.

Thanks!

Holden Caulfield · 03-29-2015, 07:33 PM

Looks like the side marker light is holding up the show to me.

ZL1-PA · 03-29-2015, 07:44 PM

Thanks for the reply. The side marker light is actually not hitting anything - it is part of the bumper assembly.
I added some photos of the bumper off, and the left side.

Its quite a mystery...

Angrybird 12 · 03-29-2015, 07:50 PM

What does the right side look like with the bumper off? Hard to compare with pics of only one side.

ZL1-PA · 03-29-2015, 08:02 PM

Here are photos of the right side disassembled.

Angrybird 12 · 03-29-2015, 08:05 PM

Looks sort of like it gets wider the farther down you go, are the gaps the same on top of both sides?

ZL1-PA · 03-29-2015, 08:08 PM

The right side is worse than the left...

Angrybird 12 · 03-29-2015, 08:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ZL1-PA

The right side is worse than the left...

Take it to the dealer and let them look at it. It should have been that way since you bought it.

bobby35ny · 03-29-2015, 08:23 PM

I have the same EXACT issue!!
Dealer told me, nothing they can do.
-Bobby

Angrybird 12 · 03-29-2015, 08:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bobby35ny

I have the same EXACT issue!!
Dealer told me, nothing they can do.
-Bobby

That is total BS, its a misalignment issue. Not normal, you accepted that explanation from them?

If all Camaros were that way maybe I would accept it but since they don't then it is fixable.

ZL1-PA · 03-29-2015, 08:32 PM

It seems to have developed over time - like the front bumper shrank or flexed... or that it was too tight and stretched where the bolts hold it to the fender.
I was wondering if this was ZL1 specific as it uses a differant front bumper.

Bobby,
Was yours delivered that way, or did it seem to develop over time like mine?

Angrybird 12 · 03-29-2015, 08:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ZL1-PA

It seems to have developed over time - like the front bumper shrank or flexed...
I was wondering if this was ZL1 specific as it uses a differant front bumper.

Never heard of one shrinking....mine is almost 3 years old and still looks the same as the day I bought it. I doubt ZL1 bumpers are made any differently.

lbls1 · 03-29-2015, 11:46 PM

I have had this issue with other cars (GM/Chevy). Some cars will have large gaps, even from new. I haven't noticed anything unusual with mine, but the front seam isn't that small either. Check your installation, and if everything's in order then it is what it is.

ZL1-PA · 03-30-2015, 06:12 AM

I had the 3M paint protecting film installed almost a year ago and the gap has grown since then.... I wonder if it could have something to do with the film?
Shrinking and pulling.
Bobby35NY - do you have the 3M film on yours?

03-29-2015, 07:24 PM	#1
ZL1-PA Drives: 2014 ZL1 Join Date: Dec 2013 Location: PA Posts: 151	ZL1 front bumper gap Anyone else have this issue? I removed the bumper cover looking for something that might be in the way but it seems fine. When you slide the bumper into place, it stops where it should, but the gap is there. The bolts are all tight. The right side gap is larger than the left. Any thoughts or suggestions? The fenders don't seem like they would slide forward due to the fact of where they are bolted in the door jamb. Thanks! Attached Images

03-29-2015, 07:33 PM	#2
Holden Caulfield Drives: 2010 Summit White Join Date: Mar 2010 Location: Davenport, Iowa Posts: 22	Looks like the side marker light is holding up the show to me. __________________ [SIGPIC]

03-29-2015, 07:44 PM	#3
ZL1-PA Drives: 2014 ZL1 Join Date: Dec 2013 Location: PA Posts: 151	Thanks for the reply. The side marker light is actually not hitting anything - it is part of the bumper assembly. I added some photos of the bumper off, and the left side. Its quite a mystery... Attached Images

03-29-2015, 07:50 PM	#4
Angrybird 12 7 year Cancer Survivor! Drives: 17 Cruze RS, 07 G6 GT, 99 Astro Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: East Tennessee Posts: 21,547	What does the right side look like with the bumper off? Hard to compare with pics of only one side. __________________ Cancer's a bitch! Enjoy life while you can! LIVE, LOVE, DRIVE... The Bird is the word!

03-29-2015, 08:02 PM	#5
ZL1-PA Drives: 2014 ZL1 Join Date: Dec 2013 Location: PA Posts: 151	Here are photos of the right side disassembled. Attached Images

03-29-2015, 08:05 PM	#6
Angrybird 12 7 year Cancer Survivor! Drives: 17 Cruze RS, 07 G6 GT, 99 Astro Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: East Tennessee Posts: 21,547	Looks sort of like it gets wider the farther down you go, are the gaps the same on top of both sides? __________________ Cancer's a bitch! Enjoy life while you can! LIVE, LOVE, DRIVE... The Bird is the word!

03-29-2015, 08:08 PM	#7
ZL1-PA Drives: 2014 ZL1 Join Date: Dec 2013 Location: PA Posts: 151	The right side is worse than the left...

03-29-2015, 08:23 PM	#9
bobby35ny Drives: 18 ZL1 A10 Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: South East, FL Posts: 3,024	I have the same EXACT issue!! Dealer told me, nothing they can do. -Bobby __________________ 2017 ZL1 M6 Bog City, 2013 ZL1 M6, 2010 2SS M6 ZL1::J-E-T-S JETS JETS JETS

03-29-2015, 08:32 PM	#11
ZL1-PA Drives: 2014 ZL1 Join Date: Dec 2013 Location: PA Posts: 151	It seems to have developed over time - like the front bumper shrank or flexed... or that it was too tight and stretched where the bolts hold it to the fender. I was wondering if this was ZL1 specific as it uses a differant front bumper. Bobby, Was yours delivered that way, or did it seem to develop over time like mine? Last edited by ZL1-PA; 03-29-2015 at 08:46 PM.

03-29-2015, 11:46 PM	#13
lbls1 Drives: 2002 Camaro SS SOM; 2015 Malibu LTZ Join Date: Dec 2010 Location: Queens, NY Posts: 4,025	I have had this issue with other cars (GM/Chevy). Some cars will have large gaps, even from new. I haven't noticed anything unusual with mine, but the front seam isn't that small either. Check your installation, and if everything's in order then it is what it is. __________________ '02 CAMARO SS SOM; 5.7L LS1/FLS6B '08 TBSS AWD Black Granite Metallic '15 Malibu LTZ 2LZ Turbo *'14 CAMARO ZL1 Blue Ray Metallic*

03-30-2015, 06:12 AM	#14
ZL1-PA Drives: 2014 ZL1 Join Date: Dec 2013 Location: PA Posts: 151	I had the 3M paint protecting film installed almost a year ago and the gap has grown since then.... I wonder if it could have something to do with the film? Shrinking and pulling. Bobby35NY - do you have the 3M film on yours?