So Fix it

If you have gotten into an accident or you are repairing a 2004 Dodge Stratus that simply needs a new grille and bumper, you can visit any official Dodge retailer to order replacement parts. However, if you want to try to save some money on these parts, you can order them online instead. Dodges official website does not sell these items online, however there are a number of third parties that sell grilles, bumpers and other parts for a minimal cost.

Instructions

1

Visit a website that sells Dodge parts.

2

Click "Stratus."

3

Select "2004" next to year.

4

Select "Stratus Coupe" or "Stratus Sedan" depending on the model you own.

5

Type "Bumper" in the search box and click "Search." A list of bumper options will appear.

6

Type "Grille" into the "Search" box to see grille results.

Rear bumper dents happen after accidents, and are often difficult to remove. Sometimes the dents are pounded or pulled out with heat. Fixing a dent at home is less expensive than taking the car to a body shop for repair. The entire bumper is frequently replaced if the dent is too severe.

Instructions

1

Wash the dented area of the bumper. Remove all dust, dirt and debris.

2

Turn on the hairdryer; move it in a circular motion over the dent. Do not leave the hairdryer in one spot for more than a few seconds. The dent might pop out after a few minutes.

3

Tap the area around the dent with a hammer. Do not create new dents by hammering too hard. The tapping creates vibration; the combination of vibration and heat frequently pops out dents.

4

Move the hair dryer in a circular motion while lightly hammering. Do this for 10 minutes and the dent might pop out. Repeat the process if the dent remains unaltered.

Although Texas vehicle inspection requirements dont directly address bumpers and bumper specifications, several requirements are indirectly tied into it. Additionally, some vehicles in Texas are also required to meet bumper standards issued by the National Highway Transportation Safety Administration for passenger cars, which dictate durability and placement of bumpers on passenger cars.

NHTSA Standards

All passenger cars sold in the United States must meet NHTSA requirements for front and rear bumpers. These standards require bumpers to be able to withstand a collision of 2.5 mph on the front and rear sections, and 1.5 mph on the corners; this impact rating is equivalent to hitting a parked car of the same mass at 5 mph. Bumpers must guard a section of the front and rear of the car between 16 and 20 inches off the ground. These standards apply only to passenger cars, and light trucks and SUVs bumpers are not regulated by the NHTSA.

Lights and Bumpers

To pass vehicle inspection as regulated by the Texas Department of Public Safety, the lights mounted inside or above bumpers must be visible. Texas requires all cars to have at least two red or amber stop lamps, which may be mounted inside the rear bumper, and must not be obscured by it. These lights must be visible for at least 300 feet. Additionally, rear bumpers should feature red tail lamps visible for 1,000 feet behind the vehicle. Head lamps need not be mounted on or inside front bumpers, but if they are, they must be between 54 and 24 inches from the ground in front of the vehicle.

Reflectors on Bumpers

Texas motor vehicle inspectors require that all vehicles must carry at least two red reflectors, visible for 350 feet when illuminated by head lamps. These may be mounted on or in the rear bumper or independently affixed to the vehicle.

License Plate Lamp

The Texas Department of Public Safety declares that if a license plate is mounted on the rear bumper, it must be equipped with a license plate lamp that illuminates the plate when the vehicles operating lights are on. This light must be firmly and permanently affixed to the bumper, and must not shine a glaring light at cars behind the vehicle.

Your Honda Accords bumpers are the first parts of defending the cars ends during a possible rear-end or head on collision. Should the unfortunate occur, you may find that replacing the bumper to your 1995 Accord is not such a difficult task. If you are able to find a matching replacement for the bumper, you may be able to perform this repair procedure from home. Luckily, there are no special tools required for the job.

Instructions

Removing and Installing the Front Bumper

1

Open the engine compartment.

2

Remove the radiator grille by unscrewing the five screws at the top with a Phillips screwdriver. Push down on the retaining tabs, with a flathead screwdriver, located between the grill and each headlight. Remove the grille.

3

Unscrew the plastic retaining screws with a Phillips screwdriver, and unbolt the bumper bolts using your socket wrench, from under the bumper.

4

Unscrew the retaining screw on each turn signal light housing with a Phillips screwdriver. Pull the housings towards you to release them. To remove the bulb sockets, turn them counter-clockwise and pull. Set the housings aside.

5

Remove the bolts that are located inside the turn signal recesses with your wrench. Some Accords may have more plastic screws instead of bolts in the recesses.

6

Remove the remaining plastic screw along the top of the bumper with your Phillips screwdriver.

7

Separate the bumper by pulling it up and then sliding it towards you.

8

Follow all steps in this section in reverse to install the new bumper. There are no torquing specifications for tightening the bolts.

Removing and Installing the Rear Bumper

9

Pry off, with a flathead screwdriver, the rear bumper to fender well clips that retain the bumpers forward ends.

10

Unscrew and remove the five plastic screws at the top of the bumper with your Phillips screwdriver. Do the same for the four screws at the bottom of the bumper.

11

Unscrew the side markers (lights) retaining screws with your Phillips screwdriver and take out the light housings. Turn the light sockets counterclockwise to remove the sockets and bulbs. Set the housings aside.

12

Unbolt the two lower bumper retaining bolts using your socket wrench, underneath your Accord.

13

Remove the trim panels from inside your Accords trunk and unbolt the upper retaining nuts with your socket wrench.

14

Pull the bumper towards you and remove it.

15

Follow all steps in this section in reverse to install the new bumper. There are no torquing specifications for tightening the bolts.