My 74 Dart Sport rear bumper had these weird shaped retainers in the bumper when I took apart the bumper for rechroming. I'm looking at a 1974 catalog for Valiant and Dart Fastbacks and it shows retainers at the 5 mile absorber part # 13-66-57 and on the frame just behind the chrome bumper as part # 6030 548. Most of mine are rusted and/or broken where the slingshot shaped ends bend 90 degrees for about 1 1/2 centimers and then bends another 90 degrees for 3 1/2 centimeters running parallel with the slingshot side. Looking at this strange piece one would think a bolt goes through it to hold it down. In my opinion it is too flimsy to attach a bolt to it. Questions 1.) Where do I get replacement part for this item 2.) How many were on the original bumper 3.) What is the purpose of this part.

OK, I'll give this one a try...

Notice how the bumper subframe has a half-pipe shaped component where the 5 mph cylinder bolts up? Also, see how the mounting bolt has a funny shaped head and is only about 1-1/2" long?

The bolt slides in from inside the hollow made by the half-pipe. The longer flat side of the retainer clip fits behind the bolt head inside the hollow, and the zig-zag side of the retainer clip slips over the bolt shaft. Now, you can let go of the bolt, wrestle with aligning the bumper, etc. and the bolt isn't going to fall out. The clip is there to hold the bolt in place, especially while you are tightening the nut - there's really no room to get a wrench behind there.

If your retainers are toast, your best bet is to get some decent ones from a parts car. I don't have any extra ones, or I would send them to you.

Jerry

_________________
There's a difference between ignorance and stupidity.
Ignorance is not knowing any better.
Stupidity is knowing, yet doing it anyway.

That makes sense. I'm still not sure how many of those retainers go on the back bumper, but mine are broken. Is it possible to find replacements?

There is one for each bolt, even the difficult-to-access top bolts. So that should be four total. Not sure if there is a possibility of finding new ones, but you might go to a body shop to see if something might serve as close replacements.

_________________
There's a difference between ignorance and stupidity.
Ignorance is not knowing any better.
Stupidity is knowing, yet doing it anyway.

One of my son's friends works at a welding shop. He mentioned to her about the four retainers (I have the original four - two broken, two intact and rusty) and she said her shop will make them for me. I had my son take some construction paper and trace the retainer and bring her one of the good retainers to use as an example. I'll update everybody when the shop finishes the new retainers.

I also have a '73 Dart Sport for my next project. Did the '73 rear bumpers also use those weird retainers?

1973 model year has an 'oddball' one year only rear bumper hardware...

Best of Luck,

-D.Idiot