Ford Motor Company Bumper Energy Absorber Reuse/Replacement Guidelines

The following information has been obtained from the Ford Motor Company Auto Safety Office. The bumper energy absorbers used on Ford vehicles are designed to collapse (stroke) during low speed impacts to absorb collision energy, then return to their original position. Provided there is no damage to the energy absorber it need not be replaced. These energy absorbers may also be called PGM's which refers to the Poly Gel Mitigator inside of the units.

After a low speed impact, the following criteria or tests should be used to determine whether the energy absorber is damaged and must be replaced. If the energy absorber remains in a collapsed position after removal of the bumper assembly, it should automatically be replaced.

1. There must be no visible fluid leakage from the energy absorber.

2. There must be no deformation to the inner or outer cylinders.

3. At ambient temperatures, it must not be possible to turn the outer cylinder relative to the inner cylinder by hand.

4. Place the energy absorber in a press, or equivalent fixture, measure the overall length, then depress/stroke the absorber approximately one-half inch. Release the pressure and remeasure to determine whether it returns to its original length without any assistance. If the absorber does not return to its original length in one minute or less, it must be replaced. An energy absorber that does not return to its original length may have developed a loss of pressure or loss of fluid that would prevent it from functioning correctly in subsequent impacts.

5. Minor straightening of the absorber mounting flanges is permissible provided that conditions (1) through (4) are met.

CAUTION: Never apply heat to bumper energy absorbers. Heat can damage seals and cause the material inside the absorbers to expand and flow out of the absorbers or crack the metal housing. Energy absorbers should never be used as a fixture for pulling, and should always be removed before making any structural or body repairs near their mounting points.

The information provided in this bulletin is for educational purposes only. Although every effort has been made to ensure the accuracy of the information contained in this bulletin, Tech-Cor assumes no responsibility or liability for any repairs performed using information from any publication issued by Tech-Cor.

Any person performing repairs must determine whether any suggested or recommended procedures or repairs are suitable or appropriate for the particular vehicle being repaired. The repairer remains solely responsible for such determination, as well as for the proper completion of the repairs.

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