Hi everyone, I just got myself a 2004 Silverado which I'm totally happy with. My first truck. I moved to the US from England and there's no such thing there (well, just little japanese ones)

Anyway - my issue.

I didn't notice it when I bought it, and it's only noticable from certain angle and when you look at it nose-on from a distance away, but the whole front bumper and the air dam look like it's been pushed towards the passenger side of the truck by an inch or so and the height of the bumper is higher at the drivers side than it is at the passenger side.
I probably need to post a pic in order for you to see what I mean.

I have looked at the bumper and behind it at the brackets, and it doesn't really look like there's been any damage.

Questions are -

Are there any adjustment points? Can I straighten this thing out?
What is involved in taking off a front bumper?

Time to go buy a hanes manual, or buy a new bumper/brackets?

Thanks guys!!! :)

I would probably say it's your bumper brackets. It's a cheap start anyways. You should be able to get a set of bumper brackets for under $100 I would think...

Cool. I've seen those for sale on eBay for around $50 to $70.
I'll have to have a closer look at them.

I took some pics of what I mean.
Have a look at the front view... notice how the valance seems warped or bent down at the lower right.

http://i62.photobucket.com/albums/h112/taliesin3x3/P1000477.jpg

This is the Passenger Side - seems to stick out more than the drivers side:

http://i62.photobucket.com/albums/h112/taliesin3x3/P1000478.jpg

This is the drivers side - seems to be recessed more than the passenger side:

http://i62.photobucket.com/albums/h112/taliesin3x3/P1000479.jpg

looks like the previous owner hit something. proaly a parking pole. odds are the bumper brakets are bent. get some new ones , if it doesnt fix the problem, get creative with a really big pry bar

Thanks!
I've seen some brackets on eBay for less than $40...

When the rain eventually stops round here (I mean, it's been raining for WEEKS!), I'll get under and have a look to see if anything's bent. If there is, I might try to get creative with the pry bar before shelling out for the brackets ;)

Didn't see anything when I had a quick look the other day, and there's no marks on the bumper itself. Weird.

Thanks for the advice guys!

Wait; You're from the UK and you're complaining about the rain!?

Wait; You're from the UK and you're complaining about the rain!?

I know, I know!
I've been in Oklahoma for almost 6 years though - I expect a little more in the sunshine department these days! :p

So, is this is what I possibly need to make the front of my truck look like it should?

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/BUMPER-BRACKET-chevy-SILVERADO-PICKUP-03-05-front-set_W0QQitemZ330133832827QQcmdZViewItem

I hope to get it fixed, cos it looks a little weird. I have some people telling me "noone will notice that", but it's bugging me - you know what I mean?

I know, I know!
I've been in Oklahoma for almost 6 years though - I expect a little more in the sunshine department these days! :p


I don't know about you, but I wouldn't mind holding off on the heat a little longer. August will be here before you know it, and then we'll be wishing for a little rain!!

Back to the topic. Is the air dam broken, or just buckled because of the bent bumper?

Sincerely,
Matt

Yeah I know - Being from the UK, you can imagine I love Air Conditioning in the summer!!!

It's just bowed out downwards due to everything being a little shifted - it's not broken *yet* I don't want to leave the repair too long in case it does actually break. I guess it's decreasing my ground clearance also, where it's bowed out....

http://i62.photobucket.com/albums/h112/taliesin3x3/P1000477a.jpg

I guess it's decreasing my ground clearance also, where it's bowed out....

http://i62.photobucket.com/albums/h112/taliesin3x3/P1000477a.jpg

Yeah, that is always a problem with mine. My front end sits low, so I have scraped it and gotten it caught on bumper stops and curbs. Show us some pics after you fix it!:wink:

Certainly will. Just be patient... with the amount of rain we've seen lately, it might be a while before I can lay down to get a decent look!!! :D

Yeah, I hear that! It looks like the low pressure system is sitting right over you. It is moving through DFW in waves. It was raining earlier here in downtown Ft.Worth, but has since stopped. It is supposed to start up again later. At least my yard is green at the moment, and the house foundation is stable for now!

Sincerely,
Matt

the house foundation is stable for now!

Sincerely,
Matt

Oh I hear you there! I don't have any guttering around my house!

Anyway - back to the subject at hand again:

I was talking to someone about possibly "getting creative with a pry bar" and was warned against doing that due to the "air bag sensors being up in there".

I thought that the air bag sensors would be fixed to the body, rather than fixing them to the actual bumper. That would make removing the front bumper a REAL pain in the nether regions!

I would remove the whole bumper if I were you. It's completely misaligned. There may be damage you can't see.

Welcome to the states! Any other issues you may have check in with us and we'll help you out. :)

Thank you!!

I've elected to have a friend of a friend look at it who runs a body shop. Safest way I figured.

Don't want to go screwing with it and deploy an air bag or something!