When people order a replacement bumper online, they usually spend most of their time making sure they have the correct bumper cover. Year, make, model, trim, sensor openings and other fitment details all matter. But there is another part of the installation that is easy to overlook: the hardware that actually holds the bumper in place.

Modern bumper covers are attached with a combination of bolts, screws, brackets, retainers and plastic clips. Some of these parts can be reused from the original bumper, while others may be damaged in the accident or simply break when the old bumper is removed.

It is a small detail, but anyone who has installed a bumper and discovered three missing clips halfway through the job knows how quickly a small detail can become a big inconvenience.

Keep the Original Bumper Hardware

If you are replacing a bumper yourself, don't throw away the hardware when removing the damaged bumper.

Factory bolts, screws, washers and other metal fasteners often survive a minor collision without any damage. If they are straight, in good condition and not badly corroded, they can usually be reused when installing the replacement bumper.

A simple way to make the installation easier is to put the hardware into a small container or plastic bag as you remove it. If the bumper uses several different types of fasteners, separating them by location can save time when everything goes back together.

Plastic Bumper Clips Are Different

Plastic clips and push-type retainers are much more likely to need replacement.

Some break during the collision itself. Others become brittle after years of exposure to heat and weather. Even clips that survived the accident can snap when the damaged bumper is removed.

This creates another problem. There is no single factory bumper clip used on every vehicle.

Automakers use different clip diameters, lengths, head shapes and locking designs. Some vehicles use several different types of plastic fasteners around the same bumper assembly. Finding the exact clips you need before taking the bumper apart isn't always easy.

Why You Shouldn't Ignore Missing or Broken Clips

It can be tempting to reuse a damaged clip or simply leave one out, especially if the rest of the bumper seems secure.

That isn't a great idea.

Clips and retainers help keep the bumper aligned with the fenders, splash shields and other surrounding components. Missing fasteners can allow sections of the bumper to move, create gaps between body panels or cause vibration while driving.

A loose lower section can also put additional stress on the remaining mounting points. Over time, that can turn one missing clip into a broken mounting tab or another repair.

We Looked at More Than 30 Popular Vehicles

At FITPARTS, we wanted to make this part of bumper replacement easier.

Together with one of our body shop partners in Los Angeles, California, we examined the mounting hardware used on more than 30 popular vehicle applications. We looked at the plastic clips commonly encountered during bumper removal and installation, compared different sizes and designs, and identified the types that technicians frequently need when replacing a bumper.

Based on that work, we developed a universal bumper clip kit designed specifically for common bumper replacement jobs.

Why a Universal Kit Makes Sense

The purpose of the kit is not to replace every factory fastener on every vehicle. That would be impossible. Some models use specific side retainers, brackets and specialty mounting hardware that still need to match the exact vehicle.

Instead, the kit contains an assortment of commonly used plastic clips that can help replace fasteners that break or disappear during bumper removal.

Customers should still keep reusable factory bolts and screws and inspect all vehicle-specific brackets and retainers before installing a new bumper. The universal clips simply provide another option when some of the original plastic hardware can no longer be reused.

Our Universal Bumper Clip Kit Is Coming Soon

We could simply add the new kit to our catalog and sell it as another product. Instead, we decided to do something different.

In the near future, qualifying replacement bumper orders from FITPARTS will include our universal bumper clip kit at no additional cost.

The reason is simple. If you buy a bumper from us, we want to make the installation a little easier too. Nobody wants to stop a repair halfway through because an old plastic clip broke and the nearest replacement isn't sitting in the garage.

The clips themselves aren't an expensive part of the repair. Having them available exactly when you need them is what makes the difference.

Small Parts Can Make a Big Difference

When planning a bumper replacement, the bumper cover will always get most of the attention. But take a few minutes to inspect everything holding it to the vehicle as well.

Save the original bolts and screws that can be reused. Check the brackets and retainers for damage. Replace broken plastic clips instead of forcing old ones back into place.

And soon, when you order a qualifying replacement bumper from FITPARTS, we'll help with one small part of that process by including a universal bumper clip kit for free.

You can browse available front bumper covers and rear bumper covers at FITPARTS.com and find the right replacement for your vehicle.