1972 Eldorado front bumper rubber rub strips

[Scot Minesinger]

Working on a 1972 Eldorado and looking for front rub strips.  I only need passenger end piece.  The car looks ratty with this messed piece of rubber.  See that in USA Parts reproductions for over $400 for all four are available.  My question concerns:

1.  Would like to just buy the one piece I need.
2.  If I do buy new has anyone had much experience with these, do the reproduction match the original well enough to just buy one?
3.  Is used much of an option?
4.  Does anyone know the manufacturer, so maybe I could investigate just one piece of the set of four?

Any advice would be appreciated.

Thanks,

Scot

[cadillactim]

Scot

The reproduction ones are made of ABS plastic. One little bump, and they are sure to crack. When I used to sell some of these replacement fillers, the manufacturer sent me a sample for the 74-76 Deville, and I was not impressed. They are better than nothing, but I have my reservations. From a distance you probably wouldn't notice the difference with one being plastic and the others being rubber. Up close you could tell.

Tim

["Cadillac Kid" Greg Surfas 15364]

Scott,
Try Ted Holcomb.  http://www.addressandnumber.com/motor-vehicle-supplies-and-new-parts/holcombe-cadillac-parts/in/bensalem/pennsylvania/address
Greg Surfas

["Cadillac Kid" Greg Surfas 15364]

Scott,
Looking at your picture again, the insert does not appear to be badly torn.  You can remove it and straighten it by straightening the metal inserts and the rubber will follow.  It also appears that the bumper is either bent or way out of alignment, so pulling the bumper to remove the insert could be followed by either straightening or just re aligning the bumper sections as required.
Greg Surfas

[Scot Minesinger]

Greg,

Taking a closer look, your idea seems the way to go, did not realize these had metal behind them-thanks.  The bumper does need to be removed anyway, due to bent concealed mounting that will be straightened to clean this out of alignment issue up.


Tim,

As I feared on replacement - thanks.

[TJ Hopland]

So these strips are yet another case where someone apparently put a fair amount of effort into reproducing a piece and ended up with something that does not look right or fit right and are still asking what appears to be a premium amount of money for the product?

If it was $150 for the set and it was that way fine you get what you pay for but $400 for something that is not right does not seem right.   

[cadillactim]

Scot

Just a word of caution. If you try to remove the nuts holding the rubber strips to the bumper the threaded stud often breaks off. Then you wonder how you are going to reattach it. The studs were spot welded to the metal strip which was fused to the rubber.
Just think it through before you something breaks off.

Tim

[The Tassie Devil(le)]

When I got my bumper re-chromed, I had a couple of these studs break off, and the simple fix was to insert a self tapping screw into the moulding through the same hole that the stud went.

Worked fine.

Bruce.