So I live in Tahoe and it absolutely dumped here the past few days. I managed to slide into a snow bank going down Mt. Rose Highway and now my lower bumper is bent in, I already reattached that bottom black piece. Quick question for a ya, called the dealership bodyshop to get a quote $375 for a new painted bumper or $1,400 for a painted bumper and the steel impact brace behind it.

1. Anyway for me to tell if that steel impact brace is damaged in needs to be replaced?

2. I know the dealership is gonna be high on its quote so what I'm looking at if a just go to a body shop?

3. Anyone recommend a place in the SF Bay Area?

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The impact brace probably is mildly damaged, but not to the point you'd have to replace.
Doesn't insurance cover some of it? If not, I'd just buy a new bumper myself and have it painted by a local body shop and put it on myself and if the brace is a bolt-on brace, I'd do that myself too.

Sucks that you got in a wreck. I hate it for you, man.

 

Like euro said, you probably dont need to replace the brace. Worst case scenario you have to reach in and bend it back a touch. Otherwise from the looks of things you just need a new bumper and paint.

 

since you gotta buy a new bumper, I would go ahead and pull the bad one off and see for yourself.

 

x2^
Yes, thats a must.

 

So I went to a local body shop and got quoted at $1,100 for a bumper with paint @ $52 p/hr and the bumper costs $500 through them. Went on ebay and found some used bumpers that are a different color for $150. Thinking about just buying one off ebay paying a shop to sand it down, repaint it andhave it donefor alot less. Any thoughts?

 

Definately. Used bumpers are just as good.They may have a few little deep scratches, but nothing a little filler can't fix. Go for the used ones.

 

No wonder you guys need more posts per page. Blazer guys insist on having signatures that take up half a page.

 

And I thought I was the only one who noticed . ..

 

As the saying goes, "all cars run on used parts". Since you are considering used, have you checked your local salvage yards? Many salvage yards have a network that they cancontact to find a specific part somewhere else and have it shipped in.

And if they have several on eBay not in your color right now, you might find one already in your color next week.