Elle wrote:
> dan <d...@nospam.net> wrote:
> snip but all read and found helpful
>> It is fairly easy to remove the rear bumper to see what's going on under
>> there.
>
> I checked everything people listed here. The factory shop manual has a
> single page for directions on how to get the bumper cover and
> styrofoam absorber apart, and it is dead-on correct in what (easily
> accessed) screws and bolts to remove. Everything looks good! I am
> amazed that the styrofoam absorber is not cracked nor does it appear
> deformed. At most, the bottom 3/8-inch of the styrofoam has small
> indentations from where gravel from the road accumulated over the
> years between the styrofoam and bumper cover. Then the gravel got
> pushed into the styrofoam some, either from this rear-ending or lesser
> ones over the years. The bumper beam looks fine.
>
> I guess the styrofoam, the bumper beam, and the car moving some upon
> collision took the force (in the vein of Tegger's post). Kudos to
> Honda engineers or whoever sets standards for bumpers. A little more
> touchup paint here and there; some Armor All, and I think my Civic
> will be good to go.
>
> Thanks again Jim, Tegger and Dan.


That design was why I chose a Civic Si over a VW Golf in '86. (The
VW salesman cheerfully explained the Golf's lack of a 5MPH bumper:
"That's what the collision insurance is for!") And it survived at least
one significant impact unscathed.