Tegger wrote:
> Elle <honda.lioness@gmail.com> wrote in news:00476f13-f562-43bc-a945-
> 9cd4d707f02e@c36g2000yqn.googlegroups.com:
>
>
>> To clarify and/or double check: There is no deformation of the bumper
>> that appears on an external inspection. I asked the policeman about
>> the styrofoam inside, and he said the external plastic would often
>> bounce back, showing no deformation, but meanwhile the styrofoam
>> inside could be permanently deformed.
>>
>> Is this not so from your understanding of bumper construction?
>
>
>
> The cop is correct. A junkyard crawl will confirm this.
>
> The steel bumper rebar is bolted to the car. The foam is affixed to the
> bumper skin which covers the rebar.
>
> The foam is meant primarily to hold the bumper skin out to its finished
> dimensions and shape. It also absorbs very minor "parking lot" type nudges.
> Under heavier impacts, the foam tends to compress and break up into large
> chunks. Those chunks often stay in place on account of the shape of the
> skin, but they can become dislodged and even fall out.
>
> Theoretically, the rebar comes into play above 2.5mph (5mph in Canada), and
> theoretically protects the lights and other safety systems from damage
> during those impacts. Although I've seen too many instances where the
> bumper appears to have provided little more protection than a 1960s bumper,
> while costing a lot more.
>
>

as tegger says, the styrofoam is of no consequence in any real accident,
it's simply to hold cosmetic shape. the steel or gfrp bar underneath,
and its mounting brackets, are what matter. if they're bent, the bumper
always shows misalignment. afaik, honda build to 5mph rather than dick
about with this keep-detroit-employed 2.5mph rubbish - doesn't take much
of a nudge to open a full change tray. chances are, you're just fine.