Raider's front bumper fitment project-Solution Found 11-2014

[Raider]

Update 11/24/14. After 2 years, empty promises from fabricators, I had a set from Quik-Latch sent to me to DIY. With help from @CheAlde; and the North FL Nator crew at our Thanksgiving Install Meat, we have a solution. This probably will also carry over to MS6 and GenPu, if you see how we did it. We used @speed3 britz;'s pics as reference, did the rest by trial fitting.
QL-25 S Quik-Latch Mini Latch Fastener



Pics are attached. Very happy with the results. How to is here: http://www.mazdaspeedforum.org/forum/foru...ent-fix-180663

And please like their page! https://www.facebook.com/pages/Quik-...14256808648202

MS6 fix found!
Navy's MS6 Bumper Fix

[MS3KO]

Ive been having the same issues, the tabs are deformed and the clips broke. Subbed for any info

[tddvrrn]

it's amazing they make such shitty attachment points for something that has to come off to replace the motherfucking headlights.

[Raider]

I agree. I had the first bumper torn off on the right side by a truck tire. 3.5 years later, I file a claim, got it replaced. Then 3 weeks later, tore the whole thing off at The Mitty hitting a bump of dirt after a touring lap. I am destined to never have it fit, I think. But first, I need to see the feasibility of this, and watch some how-to's before permanent changes are made. If this works, I will template this all out, and maybe put kits together to sell to help everyone fix their shit.

[helmetface]

What I did was took the stock locations and sandwiched two plastic washers around the original mounting tabs, secured with plastic epoxy. I then used misc bolts and nuts to tie it together...works perfectly.

[Raider]

I have zip tied them around the headlight area. That is the area that is not holding at all.

Just saw these,
QL-25-B Mounting Buckets For Quik-Latch Mini Latches

I am going to look into these a little more, as they offer depth adjustment, and are pretty easy to install. Just need to drill the mounting bracket to fit the bucket.

[Todd98SE]

I've used them pretty extensively on aircraft and they work great assuming you get your measurements and fitment correct. Make sure you use floating receptacles on those brackets. Measure twice (or 5 times) and cut once.

[Raider]

Does anyone have a better pic up closer of the bracket area? I am trying to figure out where I can mount the attachment bracket without getting new brackets and filling them with epoxy.

[Chimmike]

lemme know how it works where teh headlight is. my shit won't stay flush to the headlight anymore neither.

[chuckms6]

My custom splitter is ripping my bumper off, so i'm definitely interested lol. My bumper is already held on with zip ties

Tapatalking

[CosmicArkie]

I've noticed that, after time, the top front center of the bumper cover tends to drop (grille
area). By slightly lifting that area (stuffing some foam/padding) between the cover and the rebar, a lot of what you guys are experiencing will be mitigated. Not cured. Just
not as bad.

JMHO

[Rokusek]

@Raider i have been looking into doing this since the car blew. and now that im close enough to have the car running again i have been looking more and more into this. these are both great ideas, here are a few things i have been personally looking into, no flame aloud, just LOOKING, some more than others:

I love the idea of these and the simplicity of it, but they are, without question... FUGLY!
Quick Release Fasteners

I think these would be sick, or something along those lines, these could be easily made/ purchased from home depot or something.
Elise Parts - Bodywork & Styling - Exterior Trim - Quick Release Fasteners

they are essentially a hood pin, but used for skid/windage plates/trays as per the website.

the ones you are talking about will work but with my experiance with that kind of thing (naval aviation) are prone to corrosion, but pending on what they are made of, the two I linked are the two main ideas i have been looking into but have yet to actually install them on the car, I dont know if i would want to use the larger of the two you posted as you would have to cut a fairly large hole in the bumper... *not a fan of that*

EDIT: this is also something I'm looking into, I use these at work...

[Chimmike]

way too bulky.

the Dzus fasteners are corrosion resistant and not ghetto looking/huge/bulky.

[Rokusek]

Your saying the lotus fasteners are bulky?

[Haltech]

I've had them rip off my hood... They lose strength after time

[Raider]

Yeah, corrosion is why I am looking at the quick latches.

[Raider]

It is not gonna be the only thing holding the bumper on, it just needs to hold it in place snug.

[06Speed6]

I dont feel so bad anymore, I thought I was the only one with a zip tied bumper, and I have replaced the entire thing twice.

[Rokusek]

well mine isnt ziptied, i am looking for a way to hold the bumper on completely with nothing more the quick release latches. i just want to be able to remove the bumper without jacking the car up or turning the wheels

[Metal409]

Originally Posted by Raider Does anyone have a better pic up closer of the bracket area? I am trying to figure out where I can mount the attachment bracket without getting new brackets and filling them with epoxy.

Found this picture, hope it helps you out a little bit. Ignore the cracked bracket, asshole bodyshop left it like that when they repaired my front bumper. Needless to say my bumper keeps popping off on the passenger side even after replacing the bracket.

[Dano]

@Raider...you're kidding right...your bumper doesn't align right but you'll put huge fasteners on the outside of it?

am I missing something?

anywho...I have a great simple solution that works perfectly. I'll need to get some pics but lets see if my description makes any sense.

the uppermost slot in the bumper that engages the shitty plastic tab closest to the headlight. Well you take a small aluminum rivet, remove the inner part that spreads the rivet out push it into the slot and run some SS cable through there. The rivet prevents the SS cable from cutting through the bumper. Think of it like a grommet.

Take that cable and feed it right through where your plastic tab broke off or if it aint broke break that bitch. Then route the cable up and around the rad support bolt at the front of the fender.

you can barely see the wire if you look down between the headlight and fender otherwise its invisible and totally adjustable.

loosen the rad support 10mm bolt, feed the wire up through there, under the composite support, and wrap partially around the 10mm, and push the bumper into place, remove the slack in the cable and tighten the 10mm back down.

boom! fitment is better than factory and cost is well < $5 probably. Mine has been that way for over a year now.

that resolves the fitment under and around the headlight and upper fender area.

For the wheel well area, remove the shitty plastic receiver in the wheel well opening and put in a metal fender clip from your local AZ HELP section and use the same 8mm bolt.

edit: Here is where the SS wire goes through. Thanks for the pic metal409

that little "pocket" will hold the rivet and SS line loop.



Here's some outside pics

hard to tell here but the alignment is perfect.



you could hide the slack wire on top here with some heat shrink if you are that anal or wrap it around some more and it will tuck under the rad support. The taught wire circled in red is holding the bumper.






it may not look like it but it clears all the headlight stuff and you can still unplug things in there should the need arise.

[Crarrs]

Try getting in touch with these people. They've been the go-to for fasteners to install racebike bodywork for a long time, so they should be able to tell you how thick your material needs to be to fasten the clips correctly and anything else.

KurveyGirl - Motorcycle Stuff: Dzus Fasteners, angled valve stems, Vesrah and More

[Ms3_Miami]

Also got a zip tied bumper..in for pics @Dano

[Dano]

my OP edited for content....

[jack_hammer]

holy crap. i ripped open one fasterner hole on my bumper. i jb welded a washer where the hole "should" be.

problem solved.


probably shouldn't have posted this. now i'm sure i'll have a problem again in no time.

[Raider]

Won't fix the headlight clip area

[Raider]

I got something in the works, kids. Gonna take time to fab some shit up, but if it works. this shit will be mind-blowing.

[silvapain]

I must be in the minority that doesn't have any bumper fitment issues...

[Raider]

Originally Posted by silvapain I must be in the minority that doesn't have any bumper fitment issues yet

fixed

[whos_MS3]

it's like this thread was directed at me. sub'd for permasolution

[speed_freak91]

Shortly after this thread started, I noticed a corner of my bumper poping out... Dammit.. I shouldnt have read through this.

[SKiZZ]

Car washes do this too.

[Rokusek]

Originally Posted by SKiZZ Car washes do this too.

Ummm... You don't hand wash your car??? SMH...

[ABSpeed3]

Subbed for solution. Ripped the rear clips right off and broke the headlight clips too backing out of my old driveway. Shit drives me NUTS

[tddvrrn]

Originally Posted by Raider I got something in the works, kids. Gonna take time to fab some shit up, but if it works. this shit will be mind-blowing.

in for blowing..

[Raider]

At Episode M this weekend it seemed every other MS3 had problems. I cannot wait to see this solution come to life.

Do note, it will require holes in your bumper for brackets and shit. Don't like it. Jason Baggie of Onlinemazdaparts.com will hook you up with a new bumper for about $400 before shipping.

[Uranium9v]

Check this out:
Maybe Toxicfab would be willing to take on our issue with a nice solution like this:

NEW TOXICFAB PRODUCT!!! Bumper Latch Kit!!! - evolutionm.net

[Raider]

I got a good company on it, using that latch kit. Trust me, it is a good company making this shit.

I got this.

[Boosted Beluga]

In for bumper fix.

[XerocX]

Can't wait!! Mine is popped out too