5th Generation Maxima (2000-2003) Learn more about the 5th Generation Maxima, including the VQ30DE-K and VQ35DE engines.

Bumper headlight gap.

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Old Feb 7, 2012 | 07:43 PM
  #1  
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Bumper headlight gap.

Anyone also have this problem? There's a gap I'm gonna say 1/2 inch between the bumper and the headlight. Has anyone ever experienced this? When I lift the bumper up to clear out the gap it falls. Is something loose or broken?

I'll get some pics up tomorrow.
Old Feb 7, 2012 | 07:55 PM
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Is there space between your bumper and the fender?
Old Feb 7, 2012 | 08:16 PM
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Typical to some degree, but I've never noticed to that extent. Car ever been hit?
I've found that the main issue is the fact Nissan used plastic clips to secure many peices, namely in this case, the front bumper. Also, the bumper itself is plastic. The areas with holes and securing the peices together wear and swell open with age and heat. Thus sagging.

Ensure no clips or braces are damaged. If so, replace. My main suggestion is to replace the plastic clips, such as at the top portion of the bumper, above the grill, with appropriate sized/depth nuts and bolts. Lift bumper, secure bolts, should help or even eliminate the sagging.
Old Feb 8, 2012 | 06:03 AM
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Originally Posted by luvlexus101
Is there space between your bumper and the fender?
No
Originally Posted by Chris Gregg
Typical to some degree, but I've never noticed to that extent. Car ever been hit?
I've found that the main issue is the fact Nissan used plastic clips to secure many peices, namely in this case, the front bumper. Also, the bumper itself is plastic. The areas with holes and securing the peices together wear and swell open with age and heat. Thus sagging.

Ensure no clips or braces are damaged. If so, replace. My main suggestion is to replace the plastic clips, such as at the top portion of the bumper, above the grill, with appropriate sized/depth nuts and bolts. Lift bumper, secure bolts, should help or even eliminate the sagging.
Car has never been hit, I think 1/2 inch was a bit high.. I was guessing. This morning I measured it and it's about 1/4 inch. Still noticeable though.

I purchased 4 clips for the holes above the grill and that made the grill flush with the side of the headlight. I have to check if there are any more holes that can take a clip or bolt that will stop this sagging.
Old Feb 9, 2012 | 10:04 AM
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the headlight probably snapped away from the plastic mount beneath the light. There is a bracket that connects to the car to pull the headlight closer. If someone didnt know this they could have released the too upper bolts and kept yanking the headliht till it snapped the plastic at the bottom....ask me how i know
Old Feb 9, 2012 | 10:27 AM
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There are some adjustments you can make to the support bars to bring the gap together but its a trial and error process and you'll have to remove the bumper cover to do it.and yes the mounting holes being streched out is the first thing i would look for the easy quick fix is to have some one lift on the bumper and drill new holes.
Old Feb 11, 2012 | 06:16 PM
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Here are some pics...Gaps are practically identical in size on both sides so I'm guessing both clips are broken or missing. Stuck on what part to get.. I was told this is the part I need, can anyone confirm?



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Please don't mind how dirty it is, hard to keep clean in NE winters w/ all the salt and crap.
(Yes that is bird ****)
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Old Feb 11, 2012 | 06:25 PM
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your bumper mounting bolts are loose too look at the seam that runs over top of the orange bumper lights see that gap you need to tighten those bolts also.
Old Feb 11, 2012 | 06:51 PM
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Originally Posted by cjandura
your bumper mounting bolts are loose too look at the seam that runs over top of the orange bumper lights see that gap you need to tighten those bolts also.
This. Thought chances are it's not cause they're 'loose', it's cause they're rusted.
If that's the case you'll need to completely remove the mounting bolts and install new ones. Not too hard. The old ones have a plastic thread in portion on the fender side, just remove the 10mm head bolt that mounts the bumper to the fender plastic thread pieces, and thenremove the thread in portion and replace the whole thing with a pair of bolts and nuts, with the biggest washers you can fit.
Old Feb 11, 2012 | 06:55 PM
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Thanks Tuner, I'll check back tomorrow...Damn snow.
Old Feb 11, 2012 | 09:11 PM
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I have the same issue as yourself OP. If this solves your issue please let me know, also, I would love pics or the bolts you have to tighten and their location(s) if this works. Thanks
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