Dodge Grand Caravan Bumper Covers

Troubleshooting Tips for Dodge Grand Caravan Bumper Covers

Dodge Grand Caravan's bumper covers are meant to protect your vehicle from dents and damage. They are typically made from tough steel or durable plastic to ensure that they can withstand incredible forces. But what happens when your bumper cover becomes a problem rather than a protective accessory? Over time, your bumper cover may develop cracks or rust due to the damaging elements that it is exposed to. Here's our unsolicited advice on diagnosing the common problems that you might encounter with your bumper cover:

Cracked bumper cover

This is a common bumper cover problem, and the factors that could cause it to crack or break are pretty obvious. Since the bumper cover is exposed to all kinds of weather and all types of road debris, then expect that at one point, it will eventually give in to wear and tear. So if you notice a huge crack that might cause the bumper cover to be unstable, repair or replace the damage part immediately to ensure that it won't fall off while you are on the road.

Clinking noise

If lately you've been hearing a weird, metallic clunking sound on the front-end of your vehicle, might as well check if there are any loose bolts in the bumper cover. Since it is usually held into place by bolts and screws only, chances are, they would become loose as the mounting hardware succumb to premature wear. Tighten loose bolts with a wrench and replace the worn-out parts to ensure that the bumper cover is secured.

Paint flaking

If you have a primered bumper cover-chrome, black, or colored-then expect the paint to flake after a couple of years. Paint flaking is usually due to the varied weather conditions that could cause the paint to tarnish and to flake. When this happens, you could either repaint your bumper cover or replace it with a new one. Repainting it is an easy task; all you need is to clean it first and sand it up. Afterwards, you can apply the primer coat and sand it again for the finishing touches. When the surface is already smooth, you can now paint the basecoat and the new paint.

• As a family vehicle, the Grand Caravan prioritizes safety. However, some Dodge Grand Caravan parts will eventually need to be replaced to ensure maximum protection. One important part that might have to be replaced is the Dodge Caravan bumper cover.
• The bumper cover is the heavy-duty plastic or fiberglass component that protects your actual bumper from minor damage such as dents and scratches caused by rocks and other road debris.
• Damage from collision can result in a cracked, dented, or completely broken bumper cover. When this happens, your bumper and other nearby components become more susceptible to damage.
• Most bumper covers are made with high-quality plastic such as Polyurethane (PUR), Injection Molded Plastic, Thermoplastic Olefin (TPO), and Thermo-Elastic Olefin (TEO)
• The cost of a basic bumper cover replacement for your minivan starts at about $50. Additional features and more high-grade materials can ramp up the cost to $400 or more.

The Dodge Grand Caravan revolutionized family transportation when it was introduced by Chrysler in 1984. Even though the minivan is not as popular today as it used to be, the Grand Caravan is still a top choice for large families because of its large cargo and seating capacity.

As a family vehicle, the Grand Caravan prioritizes safety. However, some Dodge Grand Caravan parts will need to be repaired or replaced eventually to ensure maximum protection for the passengers and the vehicle itself. One important part that might have to be replaced is the Dodge Caravan bumper cover.

Some people refer to the bumper cover as the bumper, but the bumper is actually the foam or metal component that is protected by the bumper cover. The bumper cover is the heavy-duty plastic or fiberglass component that you see on the front or rear of your vehicle. They protect your actual bumper from minor damage such as dents and scratches caused by rocks and other road debris.

The bumper cover also acts as a cosmetic component. Your actual bumper is an excellent shock and impact absorber, but it can be unsightly. The bumper cover is custom molded to fit around the bumper and hide it from view. The bumper cover is usually painted to match the color of your vehicle, so it gives your minivan a uniform look.

The most common reason for getting a new bumper cover for the Dodge Caravan is replacement of a damaged or broken part. Damage from collision can result in a cracked, dented, or completely broken bumper cover. When this happens, your bumper and other nearby components become more susceptible to damage. If a damaged bumper cover is not replaced quickly and your bumper or other adjacent components receive even just minor impact, your safety will be highly compromised.

Replacing a damaged bumper cover as soon as possible is essential, but how do you choose a new bumper cover? Most bumper covers are made with high-quality plastics. The most common types of plastic used for bumper covers are Polyurethane (PUR), Injection Molded Plastic, Thermoplastic Olefin (TPO), and Thermo-Elastic Olefin (TEO). Each type has its own unique properties, but they are all sturdy, reinforced materials that are perfect for bumper covers.

Most replacement bumper covers come primed but unpainted. This is so you can paint and match your bumper cover to your minivan. However, if your Grand Caravan still has its original color, you might be able to find painted bumper covers that match it.
Finding the right fit is very important when getting a new bumper cover. With our vehicle selector and search filters, you can easily find the right 2013 Dodge Grand Caravan front bumper cover.

The cost of a basic direct-fit bumper cover replacement for your minivan starts at about $50. This usually covers a primed, unpainted component that’s made to function the same way as the original part. Additional features and more high-grade materials can ramp up the cost to $400 or more.

Your Dodge Grand Caravan bumper cover is designed to withstand any kind of road debris and even head-on collisions. Clearly, it is built with durable materials to protect the bumper and the components that are behind it. Equipping your Dodge with this kind of protection gives you more security and confidence while driving. However, what would protect the bumper cover from damage? The answer clearly points to you. Since you are the one behind the wheel that this accessory protects, it is your responsibility to keep it from getting damaged. Here are some tips on how you can protect your trusty bumper cover:

Keep it clean.

If you have a bumper cover made from stainless steel, then cleaning it won't be a hassle. Just take time to clean it when you wash your car so that rust will not build up on it. Same goes when you have a plastic or fiberglass bumper cover; it is also easy to clean. Check its corners for dust or dirt buildup and clean it using a mild cleanser and a non-abrasive cloth.

Check for loose bolts.

Some bumper covers offer an easy, bolt-on installation that does not even require special tools. If you sense any clunking sound coming from your car's bumper, might as well check the bumper cover for loose bolts and tighten them. This will keep it from falling off while you are driving, and it also keeps you secured from collisions since it will be able to do its job efficiently.

Paint it with rust-proofing.

For steel-made bumper covers, your number one enemy will always be corrosion. And since the bumper cover is ultimately exposed to all weather conditions, it is best to do preventive maintenance by rust-proofing it. You can use a primer paint to keep it rust-free or a good rust-proofing spray. These are both affordable and they would make your bumper cover last for more than its usual service life.

To ensure that your bumper cover will be able to protect you, make sure that it is always in its best condition. If it has any dangling or broken part, then you should repair it immediately. For plastic bumper covers, you can use adhesives to mend the broken parts together.

Care Tips for your Dodge Grand Caravan Bumper Cover

The Dodge Grand Caravan is perfect for travelling especially when your family is aboard. It is designed to maximize seating comfort for the travelers inside it. Likewise, it is capable of running at consistent cruising speed on the highway if needed. Despite the bulk of the accommodating body, designers have managed to put a little bit of aerodynamic touches on the vehicle. One of the components that have significance in the aero department is the Dodge Caravan bumper cover. It has to be crafted in such way that it is able to cut through the air, but not in a sports car fashion of course. After all, it is a vehicle for just getting you from point A to point B in comfort. Aside from its aesthetic and aerodynamic value, the panel is also your shield against front collisions. It is expected that the material of this part will crumple to reduce the force that will reach the cabin. Regardless, it is important that you take care of the panel for it to look well and brand new whenever you take your minivan out. Here are some things that you can do.

• Wash your bumper cover with diligence and respect. It can be done whenever you do a car wash.

Having a car wash should always be a regular habit if you are a vehicle owner. This practice should be able to bring back the healthy bright look on the surface of the bumper cover. Why do this? Well, evidently because the entire body of your Grand Caravan gets covered with dust and mud whenever you travel out. You can start by rinsing the panel with clean water. This is an opportunity to push away the dirt that accumulated on the surface. After the rinse, use a wash mitt soaked in a car shampoo mixture to scrub the surface. This should further help the removal of dirt and other blemishes.

• Apply a light coat of wax for a glossy finish and extra protection.

We recommend that apply a light coat of wax to your panel after washing it. Spread a thin layer and let it dry to a haze. Buff your panel to get a good shine.