Absorbers or frame

[RescuedElk]

I recently purchase an 86 Buick regal for $800. It came with a ton of extra parts so I didn’t mind picking it up.
There was some damage on the passenger side. The front bumper was bent in and appeared to have been crashed. There was no damage to the fender, only a broken light bezel, but the header and everything else seemed fine. I removed the bumper and noticed the absorber was weak. I pulled it out and applied the new bumper but the bumper was not center. It sticks out on the left side.

Could this be a frame issue or can it be the bumper absorbers ?

Thanks for any and all help

 

[565bbchevy]

If there is no obvious damage to the frame horns then it is most likely the absorbers, did you measure the stick out past the frame for both absorbers and compare?

 

[RescuedElk]

If there is no obvious damage to the frame horns then it is most likely the absorbers, did you measure the stick out past the frame for both absorbers and compare?

No, not yet. I got the car two days ago.

I’ll try doing that when the sun comes out.

I’ll also post some pictures

 

[spongbob]

Should you be referring to a compacted shock ? Occasionally I have guesstimate the lenth by measurement and regained certain said lengths buy fabbing spacers out of some steel or cast pipes (extensions) untill I got the replacement part in hand .If the shock/s are very shorter',you proubly need to use longer bolts /nuts ?..hint the make shift extension pipe can be around 3/4"to 1" diameter,so as to be somewhat stabilizing with final adjustment with large flatwashers distance's differences of say around 1/2" could be temporarily adjusted with incerting a nut of the next size up from the. Attachment bolt between the bumper and its mount...of course I'm addressing an impacted bumper shock here

 

[Clone TIE Pilot]

It would be best to take the car to a frame shop to have the frame measured for distortation and pulled if required. Don't take shortcuts with a bent frame.

 

[RescuedElk]

Images added

Thank you q

No, not yet. I got the car two days ago.

I’ll try doing that when the sun comes out.

I’ll also post some pictures

 

[jcelk]

does the hood line up ? if so good . in your pics with the absorber un bolted looks like where the bolts are in the frame that flange is bent a little 'straighten that flange out no big deal if that is bent the flange on the absorber is also bent measure the length of the absorber it needs to be the same length as the other side .there are adjustments in the bumper from side to side they may be rusty so you might have to work them free also you can use a big hammer and bang the absorber over more

 

[RescuedElk]

Hood aligns

Thank you everyone

I ordered some aluminum absorbers


I have my hammer ready, but it’s raining out in SoCal 😢

 

[RescuedElk]

Hood aligns

Thank you everyone

I ordered some aluminum absorbers


I have my hammer ready, but it’s raining out in SoCal 😢

 

[565bbchevy]

On my Regal the bumper stuck out too far because of the absorbers and when I went to install my one piece front spoiler it didn't line up with any holes. So I removed both absorbers and drilled and tapped the front piece and then just drilled a larger hole on the back part that lined up and I used a piece of threaded rod and used threadlocker where it screwed in the front and put a nut and washer on the back side this allowed me to pull the shocks in enough for the spoiler to align but still keep the function of an absorber in case of an accident.