White foam looking bar behind front bumper

**MWAKU** · 14-05-2009 08:58 PM

whats it do?

the hard foam looking bar with 3 black inserts located when you take off the front bumper?

currently im not running it, cause i dun know whats it for, and my aftermarket bumper doesn't fit with it on

**dupac->** · 14-05-2009 09:02 PM

helps aborb impact for smaller hits.

doesnt do much in big hits though..

wel i think thats what its for.

doesnt seem like it serves any other purpose. the foam on the reinforcement bar

**lil_foy** · 14-05-2009 09:02 PM

It helps soften the blow on the bumper to the reo bar.
Metal on plastic isnt very nice.

Try shave it down with a razor if you can.

**HoBoz** · 15-05-2009 12:09 AM

I thought it was to keep the bar in place so it doesnt move around to much. I think your better off having it on especially if your trying to sell the car as some people look for it. If its missing they will assume the car has previously been in a accident.
Just my 2cents

**eght** · 15-05-2009 10:21 AM

Originally Posted by HoBoz

... I think your better off having it on especially if your trying to sell the car as some people look for it. ...Just my 2cents

You cant see the foam unless you remove the front bar and that includes attempting to spot the foam with the vehicle raised on a hoist.

Originally Posted by HoBoz

... If its missing they will assume the car has previously been in a accident.
Just my 2cents

Thats a big..and hollow assumption based on stupidity. Thats like saying the reason why he has an aftermarket front bar is due to the fact that his vehicle was involved in an accident prior to his new aftermarket front bar. Sellers who would assume what Hoboz said are time wasters.

The foam is there to absorb impact and reduce chassis deformation in common non-fatal accidents. So it'd benefit you if you have it installed. Also depending on what vehicle and its value you have, you should look at the insurance implications you cause by removing the foam.

**dsp26** · 15-05-2009 10:28 AM

^^^you'll be surprised.. he speaks truth, people do loko for it, as do i.

same goes with resprays and engine bay not matching colour reduces value.

people assume it's been in an acco and a bodykit and new paint job was used as an alternative to a repair.

**neo_phase** · 15-05-2009 10:57 AM

There's definitely a reason why it's called the 'absorber' from the service manual.

See how the bumper beam (the one where the absorber fits onto) is dented and damaged after someone crashed into me? It would have been worse without the absorber and having a direct impact on the beam would have caused more force being pushed into the chasis and may result in a more severe injury.

**eght** · 15-05-2009 11:02 AM

yeah i understand

same goes with resprays and engine bay not matching colour reduces value.

as valid assumptions but if the vehicle had been involved in a accident that destroyed the foam bar, there would be 1. other tell tale signs as you've mentioned above and 2. i'm sure the repairer would replace the foam bar. I think the valid assumption would be in regards to the foam bar is, if the foam bar is brand new then it is likely it was replaced due to an accident. Not simply because its missing..that's a fools assumption.

**eght** · 15-05-2009 11:05 AM

Originally Posted by neo_phase

There's definitely a reason why it's called the 'absorber' from the service manual.

See how the bumper beam (the one where the absorber fits onto) is dented and damaged after someone crashed into me? It would have been worse without the absorber and having a direct impact on the beam would have caused more force being pushed into the chasis and may result in a more severe injury.

as you can see dsp and hoboz from the service manual diagram, how can you POSSIBLY look for the foam absorber when your inspecting a vehicle unless you have x-ray vision?

**Sir_vtec** · 15-05-2009 11:09 AM

Dude man.

Something called "a fussy buyer"

I am a fussy buyer i would probably take the bumper off if i was buying a car and there are many "fussy buyers" like me.

Also some dodgey repairs wont replace the absorber if they know you know jack all about whats behind the front bar.

**neo_phase** · 15-05-2009 11:09 AM

I suppose to get back on topic MWAKU you can either:

1) Shave the absorber so your aftermarket bumper can fit onto it or;
2) If you want to remove the absorber don't throw it away so you can put it back when you want to sell your car off with the stock bumper.

**HoBoz** · 15-05-2009 11:22 AM

Originally Posted by eght

as you can see dsp and hoboz from the service manual diagram, how can you POSSIBLY look for the foam absorber when your inspecting a vehicle unless you have x-ray vision?

You can just pop the hood and have a look, you'll see it so please check before you make a idiot of yourself