Hi friends. Someone rear ended me at about 10mph and knocked my bumper assembly in about 2 inches. The body shop guy said if he could locate the energy absorbers, he wouldn't need to find an entire bumper assembly. So, I was wondering if the units are the same in all models in 1976? Or are there ones exclusive to Eldorados? Here's a photo of the pair I plan to buy if they'll fit:
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1976 77 78 79 80 81 CADILLAC REAR BUMPER ENERGY ABSORBERS. THESE ARE THE PARTS THAT BOLT TO THE FRAME BETWEEN THE BUMPER. IN THE EVENT OF A REAR END COLLISION THESE ABSORB THE ENERGY, AND EASE THE COLLISION. ALSO FIT 1982 1989 BUICK. PART # 22016994. SHORT # 509-128
Thanks in Advance!
"Caddy-Jack" Larson
Devon, PA
If they are not totally compressed or bent, try tapping them with a hammer. They may just pull back out!
Brian
Thanks, Brian. The body shop guy must have thought they were shot, since he has began a search for another bumper assembly. I saw these on ebay and according to the ad, thought they might fit my '76 Eldo. The seller is still researching to see if he can verify compatibility. It would be a whole lot easier if they fit. Anyone know? Or does anyone know where I can find a pair that do fit if they won't?
Caddy-Jack
Devon, PA
If the Hollander Interchange Manual is right, ALL 74-76 Cadillacs should fit your car. Please see attached.
Bill Hedge
Thank you Bill Hedge. I'll go ahead and buy them, and the seller has a 14 day return policy, so it's worth a shot. I'll let everyone know when the time comes for information purposes in the future.
Jack
Jack,
Several things. Bill is correct about the interchange. I would NOT buy them until I was sure about the interchange as YOU will be paying the shipping both ways, or at least one way. I'm surprised that your shop would be looking for a complete rear bumper instead of just the absorbers. I'm also surprised that one of the posters that sell parts on this board has not responded with some good used ones.
HTH, Bob
--------UPDATE-------
Well, the part does NOT fit the 1976 Eldorado, and the body shop says they no longer exist except for used ones. So, they're tracking down a whole other bumper assembly to use. That's fine with me, since the insurance company of the lady who rear-ended me will be paying for it. And what's this pain I'm beginning to feel in my neck...hmmmmm ;D Ha ha ha.....
Do you know what years are the same?
How was the rubber on yours?
Friends.....
I am having a DEVIL of a time finding the shocks to replace these. Do any of you know where I might look? The bumper assembly I was depending upon was a mess, and the energy absorbers were totally compressed. So, even those did me no good.
Does anyone have a source for these energy absorbers for a 1976 Eldo? Or any makeshift solution?
Jack
Devon, PA
Are you trying to stay 'correct'? If not those do not look that complicated so I would think a fairly basic metal shop could weld up some fixed brackets.
Quote from: Caddyjack on August 06, 2012, 02:18:10 PM
Does anyone have a source for these energy absorbers for a 1976 Eldo? Or any makeshift solution?
Jack
Devon, PA
Makeshift solution --- if your old ones can be pulled out to their original length, do so, then tack weld the inner tube to the outer in a few spots. You will lose your "energy absorbing" but, it was many years before anyone had "energy absorbing" rear bumpers.
Thanks for the suggestions! I'll mention that to the clown at the body shop next time he says he's exhausted all possibilities. ::)
Why not drop off a copy of Hemmings Motor News at the body shop....better still, when you want a job done right.. well, you know the rest. Bob
As Brian said, I'd verify the absorbers are really in bad shape. I've 'fixed' more than one of those being pushed in by tapping them with a mallet. One, I just wiggled the bumper and it popped right out. I had one hidden under the plastic bumper cover on our 86 SVO that was pushed in. We were taking it apart to do some body work, and 'add lightness' (install an aluminum version of the factory steel bumper), and the absorber popped out after I loosened the bolts between the bumper and absorber. It's very much worth trying.
They will pop back out unless bent. You would have to have a very hard hit to bend it.
I also like, no I love the tack weld idea. Let the jerk behind you absorb the impact, not your Caddy!
Brian
Some idiot almost rear ended me today. All I could think was, oh man, where am I going to get the bumper energy absorbers :-)
Was doing a leisurely 50 â€" 55 on a 55 road. Miles from anywhere by the way. Guy behind me in a crappy old Corolla with mismatched body panels was right on my tail. Way, way too close for comfort.
When I started braking and signaling to turn, I could hear his brakes lock up behind me. Tires screeching. Turned out as fast as I could to let him past.