Front Bumper Scratched on my 2007 F430

Did not see your post until posted mine

 

Looks good Alan! I paid less than half that for my current set up and my spare. I had the same thought about losing clearance but with the way my drive way is, I would get them scuffed up eventually, so why not let the plates take the beating.

 

I have a 2008 F430 and when I purchased it it came with a very badly scratched up front bumper.

I had it repaired to look like new and to prevent it happening again I designed and machined a set of skates that bolt into the holes for the lip plate. They allow the front end to roll over the low areas without scratching the paint. I also installed the plastic pads on the corners but so far they have not shown any wear or scratches.

I can post some photos if any one is interested.

 

Yes, I'd like to see how you did that.

 

TIme to make low clearance cars a protected class and mandate cities provide shallow slope access everywhere.

Why not? Every other interest group wants special treatment.

 

Note the attached photos. I used spacers between the roller body and the indentation in the lip. The depth had to be set for each screw to make the body level without touching the lip surface.
Once I know how well they will work, I will have them powder coated in Ferrari red and other then the bearings, they will not stand out. I am also considering having the bearings replaced with a red colored neoprene roller to absorb the shock better and blend in with the bumper.

So far I have about 200 miles on the car with no scratches on the pads at the corners of each side.
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Nice execution! They are smaller and less intrusive looking than I expected.

 

My C5 Corvette had roller skates, you could buy them pretty cheap, I think about $120 and had a single large hard plastic roller ....worked great. May be able to source a Vette one and apply to our cars ?

 

Not sure if a single roller would distribute the weight evenly or in the proper place. I placed the bearing sets as close to the mounting holes as possible to keep the force of any obstruction as evenly spread out on the strongest part of the lip and bumper unit. There is a steel plate along the edge of the lip and then the bumper mounting holes. The last thing I want to have happen is to crack or break the bumper from upward force in an unreinforced area.

The cost of materials, cutting tools and hardware to make the two parts was about $750.00. It took two days of labor to design, program and cut the parts including the bearing shafts and the four spacers. Considering the cost of a new bumper and lip plate, I think it will turn out to be a good investment.

Time will tell.

 

I also had rollers on my C5. They eventually broke off - I don't drive the C5 that much, it's lowered, and I seem to always run into the parking stops.
My 550 has the scrapes, there are just some times when you can't avoid scraping on something. I did fix an issue on the side, but I'm leaving the front with the scrapes.

 

i would not bother doing anything.
this looks like every car in houston.