GenVibe - Community for Pontiac Vibe Enthusiasts

Oopsie, While backing off my ramps after an oil change I heard a bad noise. It was my 05 Vibe's nose being broken! Has anyone crossed this bridge? I'm not seeing a simple and cheap fix, but I did learn a lesson! Never change your oil!

Hmm... maybe epoxy a washer to where the hole used to be, and screw it back in.

Thanks Kitt!
That"s worth a try. I tried just a washer without epoxy and contact cement to the seam, but that quickly failed.

Chiadog wrote:Oopsie, While backing off my ramps after an oil change I heard a bad noise. It was my 05 Vibe's nose being broken! Has anyone crossed this bridge? I'm not seeing a simple and cheap fix, but I did learn a lesson! Never change your oil!

I like the washer idea. But epoxy will not hold up. I would drill two small holes into the washer and matching holes on the remaining flange on the fender. Then I would connect the washer with solid copper wire. Try to get a stainless steel washer. Perhaps a fender washer...if you know what that is.. but just get the correct size that is required.

Thanks ParknVibe!
I've already epoxied the flange to the washer and I'll be supporting the front of the snout, with straps or coated solid copper wire, to the hidden front bumper behind the fascia for extra support.
I'm afraid to drill into the remaining tab because it is very flimsy and I don't want to chance weakening it further, but as a last resort????
If anyone has successfully fixed this problem, I'm all ears!
Thanks Guys!

Chiadog wrote:Thanks ParknVibe!
I've already epoxied the flange to the washer and I'll be supporting the front of the snout, with straps or coated solid copper wire, to the hidden front bumper behind the fascia for extra support.
I'm afraid to drill into the remaining tab because it is very flimsy and I don't want to chance weakening it further, but as a last resort????
If anyone has successfully fixed this problem, I'm all ears!
Thanks Guys!

Well what you did won't make it worst. The holes I speak of don't need to be more then 1/8 inch in diameter.

Being that the location is at the wheel opening, Water, snow, ice, road debris, stones. and wind will still knock it apart in few minutes of driving. You must have a mechanical fastener and not glue. Another possibility would be to weld or melt a PVC plastic to the spot. Plumbing solvient that welds or fuses the plastic to plastic.

ParknVibe wrote:
Well what you did won't make it worst. The holes I speak of don't need to be more then 1/8 inch in diameter.

Being that the location is at the wheel opening, Water, snow, ice, road debris, stones. and wind will still knock it apart in few minutes of driving. You must have a mechanical fastener and not glue. Another possibility would be to weld or melt a PVC plastic to the spot. Plumbing solvient that welds or fuses the plastic to plastic.

The plastic fender liner should sufficiently protect it.

The front fascia of this 05 base was messed-up to start with from one or more front end accidents, both inner fender wells have holes worn through them! After the altercation with the ramps, the whole fascia was sagging in addition to the torn mounting tab on the left fender. I elevated and supported the fascia at three points to the front bumper behind the grill using solid core electrical wire. After an eighty mile trip, it has not detached or moved - Yea!
The result isn't perfect. But I think it will be functional and that is all I ask from my $3900 Vibe. Thanks Guys!

nice fix!

So is the washer is attached with epoxy at the wheel well?
Your pictures are showing another fender attachment problem.

BTW: You need firecode sheetrock and prehap insulation on your garage ceiling.
If this is an attached garage to your home, you have a building code violation.

ParknVibe wrote:So is the washer is attached with epoxy at the wheel well?
Your pictures are showing another fender attachment problem.

Yes, the washer is epoxyied at the torn-out mount hole shown in the initial picture in this thread!
The gap you see is caused mainly from me epoxying the torn mount hole first (with the snout of the car drooping), then, later elevating and supporting the entire nose of the car causing torsion/tension at the seam next to the now securely attached fender-end mount.

BTW: You need firecode sheetrock and prehap insulation on your garage ceiling.
If this is an attached garage to your home, you have a building code violation.

I lost the code book in my last garage fire.