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Grenadier

Member Since: 23 Jul 2014
Location: The foot of Mont Blanc...
Posts: 5889

2011 Defender 110 Puma 2.4 DCPU Corris Grey

Welding Damaged Aluminium Bowler Bumper

As per the title, what chance of success welding this piece back on? Note that I had to take it off as it would not bend back into place/flush, and it would have been a hazard to drive around with it.

So, if the edges were cut and tidied, how successful would a weld be and how strong will it be? Clearly understand that the single piece is better but this is just for the short term until I get a new one.

Click image to enlarge

Click image to enlarge Monsieur Le Grenadier

I've not been everywhere, but it's on my list.....

2011 Puma 110DC - Corris Grey

21st Aug 2023 1:23pm

bankz5152

Member Since: 02 Feb 2017
Location: South London/North Kent
Posts: 2210

Not a problem for a good tig welder.

Will need repainting tho

21st Aug 2023 1:30pm

markb110

Member Since: 22 May 2010
Location: Guildford
Posts: 2664

Wouldn’t it be quicker to take an angle grinder to the other side so that it matches…..

21st Aug 2023 2:28pm

NickMc

Member Since: 01 Oct 2014
Location: Norn Iron
Posts: 1681

I’ve had one broken in the same spot, welded fine you couldn’t even tell

21st Aug 2023 2:49pm

DSC-off

Member Since: 16 Oct 2014
Location: North East
Posts: 1467

2015 Defender 110 Puma 2.2 XS CSW Aintree Green

The damage shows that welding aluminium destroys the strength of the original material in the heat affected zone of the weld.
Both upper and lower surfaces of the bumper have torn along the welds of the mounting brackets and what appears to be a reinforcement on the top.

It also shows that these bumpers are little more than a cosmetic replacement of the original steel part. Welding it back together is possible and will probably have no further detrimental effect on it's (poor) performance as a bumper.

21st Aug 2023 3:44pm

Grenadier

Member Since: 23 Jul 2014
Location: The foot of Mont Blanc...
Posts: 5889

Bit harsh DSC.

As it happens, it has served well as a bumper. Indeed last year I forgot I'd parked just a couple of mil from a hewn block of granite that must have weighed at least a tonne, (175cm x 75cm x 75cm?) and drove forward to leave the parking space I was in and promptly knocked the granite over. In front of a terrace of about 250 drinkers. It made quite the noise. Anyhow, the only damage was to my pride as the bumper was completely unblemished despite driving full force into the block.

This occured when some moron did a loop through two parkings spaces, at speed, in his 3.5t van. Pulled the bumper forward and in the process completely peeled back the bottom half of his sliding door. He'd only popped to the supermarket for a sandwich. Cost his boss 650€ (for the bumper) lord knows what he's lost on the door. That's an expensive sandwich.

I'm sort of glad it snapped the way it did, as had it not it might have damaged the chassis.

Anyway, thank you all for the answers, just need to find someone now. Being France it will no doubt be suitably expensive.

Monsieur Le Grenadier

I've not been everywhere, but it's on my list.....

2011 Puma 110DC - Corris Grey

21st Aug 2023 4:54pm

NickMc

Member Since: 01 Oct 2014
Location: Norn Iron
Posts: 1681

Radiator repair guy is who did mine. I can TIG myself but no machine at the minute.

21st Aug 2023 7:10pm

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