[Gator67]

Reassembling a 79 TA and wondering how the rear bumper goes together. There’s nothing in my assembly manual on this. First, is there anything that secures the inner absorber pad to the steel brace structure? Second, where do the orange plastic fasteners go? I’m assuming bumper cover to brace on top, but want to make sure.

[Trevor78]

P7-36 of the 76-81 Parts Manual. My computer is playing up, won't save pics.

[Trevor78]

Or try these highly technical photos of screen.....

79-81 Firebird rear bumper assembly (1) by Ben, on Flickr

79-81 Firebird rear bumper assembly (2) by Ben, on Flickr

And yes, bumper filler (#2) just sits inside cover and there's 14 ? of the small retainer (#11) to keep the cover onto the bumper bar itself.

[TAKerry]

The inner structure just sits in there I think. The outer cover hooks on the top of the steel, Its been awhile since I did mine but there may be a fastener in there as well. The plastic buttons go in the bottom kinda like a big push pin. Orange is most common but I think I have seen clear ones as well.

[Warren Seale]

Originally Posted by TAKerry

The inner structure just sits in there I think. The outer cover hooks on the top of the steel, Its been awhile since I did mine but there may be a fastener in there as well. The plastic buttons go in the bottom kinda like a big push pin. Orange is most common but I think I have seen clear ones as well.

The orange pins were OE and disintigrated and broke apart in short order. The clear pins are the service replacements that hold up much better with time. This is with regard to the GM produced pins. Aftermarket pins (if they are available) may be a different story.

[Trevor78]

The orange and clear versions by GM were both #5930892. They are now made repro in clear, one being by OER, so likely someone else did first as OER often just repackage.

[Gator67]

Thank you, this was a huge help. The illustration in the Parts Manual is a lot clearer than anything in the reprinted assembly manual I've been using. We certainly have a ways to go!