Bottom of bumper bulging after FMIC install.. what how can I remedy??

[zevond]

So I found a deal on an APR FMIC not too long ago and decide to purchase it for my 99.5 1.8t. The first time I Installed it I could not get the bumper to bolt back on to the bumper shock absorbers. Not only this, but the plumbing for the intercooler was causing a burger on the drivers side underneath my bumper. Every weekend when I found time I trimmed my bumper and adjusting the plumbing. I finally got it o fit where it did not bulge but still could not get my bumper back on. Long story short, after weeks of trimming my bumper support and lots of headaches and force I finally got my hex screws to thread back through my bumper shock absorbers, but its a very tight fit. Tight to the point where I dread the next time I need to take it off for servicing.

Anyway... now I am left with the whole underside of my bumper sagging/bulging down causing me to scrape on everything and it is hideous!

Someone on my Facebook group suggested I cut it and install a skid plate, another suggested just throwing a cupra lip on it.

I am researching Thor skid plates but I wanted to know if anyone has dealt with this, or has a solution, thanks!


Here is during the install you can see the design of the FMIC makes it a pain for fitment




Here is how it looked initially when my bumper would not fit and the plumbing was bulging


Here is a picture of the bulge all the way across, opposed to one side now after the plumbing is fitting and the bumper is bolted back on

[seanj130]

Which turbo are you running?

[Bordom]

I swear it looks like you have it backwards. Anyways, shift the intercooler upwards so it's not stressing the bumper so much

Everything graciously mispelled by Android

[Davdraco1]

I think there are two bolts that jolts the AC condensor to the core support, try the top bolt if it's on the bottom?

[zevond]

Which turbo are you running?

Just a K03s

[zevond]

I swear it looks like you have it backwards. Anyways, shift the intercooler upwards so it's not stressing the bumper so much

Everything graciously mispelled by Android

Lol nope not backwards or the piping wouldn't be able to run to the throttle body. I can mount it any higher or it wont fit inside of my bumper unfortunately. And the weird part is nothing is actually pressing down on the inside of the bumper to make it bulge, its just sagging its hard to explain.

[coolgraymemo]

If nothing is pressing down on it, you can run a strip of metal underneath to straighten it out (use double-sided tape to attach it).

I had similar, albeit less severe, bulging on my OEM RS4 front bumper.

[Turbo_B5]

I swear it looks like you have it backwards. Anyways, shift the intercooler upwards so it's not stressing the bumper so much

Everything graciously mispelled by Android

Is this not the logical answer?

[zevond]

Is this not the logical answer?

There's nothing pressing down on the bumper. Not to mention, I cannot move my intercooler upwards anymore or it will totally not fit in my bumper.

[Turbo_B5]

There's nothing pressing down on the bumper. Not to mention, I cannot move my intercooler upwards anymore or it will totally not fit in my bumper.

That is weird. Do what memo said and goto harbour freight and get some cheap angle iron and attach it with bolts or actual 3m branded moulding tape.


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[zevond]

hmmm that's a thought. It just hard because say I straighten it out in the middle it bows the edges and the other way around. I feel this might cause it to bubble out on the edges but I'm going to look into it.

[zevond]

That is weird. Do what memo said and goto harbour freight and get some cheap angle iron and attach it with bolts or actual 3m branded moulding tape.


Sent from my Jailbroken iPhone 6s 9.0.2 using Tapashit

Yeah it is weird and hard to explain, it is just like loose and saggy, no pressure behind it. when I lift it with my hand in the middle the bowing just moves out towards the sides and when I do the edges it builds up towards the middle.

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It almost feels like the sides which clip into the fenders are too tight and its causing the "slack" to bulge out in between them

[Turbo_B5]

How about some flat bar attached in the middle to pull it up and bolt it to the bumper? Or even more cheaply just use some shoelaces or mechanics wire.

Actually mechanics wire could work


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[Turbo_B5]

Yeah it is weird and hard to explain, it is just like loose and saggy, no pressure behind it. when I lift it with my hand in the middle the bowing just moves out towards the sides and when I do the edges it builds up towards the middle.

- - - Updated - - -

It almost feels like the sides which clip into the fenders are too tight and its causing the "slack" to bulge out in between them

Then try adjusting the fenders. Cause I had to do that when I I replaced a fender.


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[coolgraymemo]

If nothing is pressing down on it, you can run a strip of metal underneath to straighten it out (use double-sided tape to attach it).

I had similar, albeit less severe, bulging on my OEM RS4 front bumper.

x2