[jmartinsmart]

Surely this is not a U.S. thing... I removed my front bumper panel (to install new grille, horns, and strobes). I followed the instructions on evilution's website (paid member - thank you) and in one of his photos it shows this (I hope it's okay to use this - it's his photo not mine):

I don't have the foam pad outlined in red. Is this only on the U.K. cars?
Does anyone else know if this should exist? I can't even find this part on the U.S. based smart Parts diagrams.

Am I missing something... or am I missing something?

Jim

 

[Jo e Lefors]

I would think so.
Are you the original owner of the car?
If you are not the original owner.
What is the possibility your car was in an accident and repaired improperly?
In any case since your car is already apart.
Is it possible to order the bumper pad separately?
You might as well repaired properly while you have the car apart.

 

[jmartinsmart]

I would think so.
Are you the original owner of the car?
If you are not the original owner.
What is the possibility your car was in an accident and repaired improperly?
In any case since your car is already apart.
Is it possible to order the bumper pad separately?

Well... I'm aware the vehicle was in a previous "fender bender" as the front bumper has some creases and fits poorly on the right side. The turn signal housing, which I have already replaced was glued in, so I know the front clip had been off before. I can live with the visual damage to the bumper, since a new bumper in factory white is only $175 but the shipping is twice that - plus a core charge of $150.

Problem is... I can't even find that foam piece on any parts diagram. I'd order one up, depending on cost.
In the meantime, the bumper fits back on, and the only problem as I see it, is that the wind pushes the bumper in while driving and it wants to constantly pop my Tow Hook Cover off (I've turned to some glue now).

Jim

 

[smark]

Is this your car, or a UK 453?

https://www.smartcarofamerica.com/attachments/453front12-jpg.66887/

 

[Jo e Lefors]

I'm confused it appears you already know the answer to your question. The front bumper is incomplete and not structurally sound.
As with everything else it's going to take money to make it correct. It's up to you if you want it to just look good or actually be repaired correctly and be structurally sound.
Good luck.

 

[Bob Ricewasser]

It looks like a piece of Styrofoam. With a little creativity and effort, you could probably fabricate this piece. Other option is to see if you can find one in a breakers yard or parts recycler or dismantler.

 

[jmartinsmart]

Is this your car, or a UK 453?

https://www.smartcarofamerica.com/attachments/453front12-jpg.66887/ View attachment 66893

It's a UK photo, that's why I'm asking the question... does the US version even have this piece?

I can't find a part number for it anywhere.

 

[rtcook]

I'd like to know the answer to this as well. I have my 2012 451 Pure apart now adding a tow bar base and mine does not have that foam bumper pad either. Wondering if it should and where to get.

 

[rtcook]

I think this link may help explain.

451 Dual Tow Eye Crash Bar | Evilution

www.evilution.co.uk

 

[jmartinsmart]

I think this link may help explain.

451 Dual Tow Eye Crash Bar | Evilution

www.evilution.co.uk

So what I get from this is, because the U.S. 451 (and presumably 453) already has the second threaded insert for the front bumper (covered as it is), there is no polystyrene crash pad on the U.S. cars? Is that why I cannot find this part on any U.S. 453 front bumper parts diagram? Just seems odd.
Unless the U.S. crash requirements are favoring pedestrians and the inclusion of the poly pad didn't make the test or caused too much damage to the pedestrian?
I'm just throwing things out there, until someone with a 453 in the United States can tell me that THEY have this pad.
Then I'll know I'm missing something.
But still won't have a part number to order one.

Jim

 

[smark]

I'd like to know the answer to this as well. I have my 2012 451 Pure apart now adding a tow bar base and mine does not have that foam bumper pad either. Wondering if it should and where to get.

The NA 453, have different safety standards. That why you car isn’t equipped with a styrofoam bumper pad. You car is fine.

 

[rtcook]

So what I get from this is, because the U.S. 451 (and presumably 453) already has the second threaded insert for the front bumper (covered as it is), there is no polystyrene crash pad on the U.S. cars? Is that why I cannot find this part on any U.S. 453 front bumper parts diagram? Just seems odd.
Unless the U.S. crash requirements are favoring pedestrians and the inclusion of the poly pad didn't make the test or caused too much damage to the pedestrian?
I'm just throwing things out there, until someone with a 453 in the United States can tell me that THEY have this pad.
Then I'll know I'm missing something.
But still won't have a part number to order one.

Jim

The US bumper is taller and would take up the space where the pad would fit. So the US does not have one.

 

[jmartinsmart]

The US bumper is taller and would take up the space where the pad would fit. So the US does not have one.

I assumed the answer was this simple... but was looking for confirmation by someone.
Thanx,
Jim

 

[DudeInTheSmart]

Looking at the photo, the euro bumper is probably designed to absorb more low-speed energy, probably as pedestrian safety measure. The US one has to be designed stronger (there is a lot more steel in it) to meet the US safety requirements that are more related to protection of the automobile.

 

[jmartinsmart]

Looking at the photo, the euro bumper is probably designed to absorb more low-speed energy, probably as pedestrian safety measure. The US one has to be designed stronger (there is a lot more steel in it) to meet the US safety requirements that are more related to protection of the automobile.

You know... I was expecting the answer to be pedestrian related, as I have done some work in ped/veh accident studies with the CHP and GPD. (It's a dummy - but disconcerting nonetheless)

 

[SAM101]

Surely this is not a U.S. thing... I removed my front bumper panel (to install new grille, horns, and strobes). I followed the instructions on evilution's website (paid member - thank you) and in one of his photos it shows this (I hope it's okay to use this - it's his photo not mine):

View attachment 66887

I don't have the foam pad outlined in red. Is this only on the U.K. cars?
Does anyone else know if this should exist? I can't even find this part on the U.S. based smart Parts diagrams.

View attachment 66888


Am I missing something... or am I missing something?

Jim

US version doesn't come with that.

 

[Jim N]

Surely this is not a U.S. thing... I removed my front bumper panel (to install new grille, horns, and strobes). I followed the instructions on evilution's website (paid member - thank you) and in one of his photos it shows this (I hope it's okay to use this - it's his photo not mine):

View attachment 66887

I don't have the foam pad outlined in red. Is this only on the U.K. cars?
Does anyone else know if this should exist? I can't even find this part on the U.S. based smart Parts diagrams.

View attachment 66888


Am I missing something... or am I missing something?

Jim

Previous repair was not complete. The front bumper foam energy absorber is vital component that not only dissipates impact of frontal collision, but also souports front body pnl cover left & right fenders.
The front bumper reinforcement may also have been driven back during previous “fender bender” & not pulled back out to pre-collision location.
Does your lower rocker trim pnl aline properly with fender ?

 

[rtcook]

US models do not have the bumper pad. They have a wider and taller bumper that takes up the pad space. According to people on the thread its because of different safety regulations not an incomplete repair. Look at the link I posted. I clearly shows difference between the two. This explains why my US model does not have one.

 

[jmartinsmart]

Just to clarify, I am aware that my vehicle, prior to its purchase, was involved in a front collision.
This collision was minor and the damage was strictly cosmetic. There was no compromise of any metal or structural components in the front end. There was some deformation of the plastic bumper cover and the right signal light bracket had been glued where it was normally attached by a melting process at the factory. No big deal.

I removed the front bumper from the vehicle to facilitate the installation of an aftermarket grille, and the upgrade of the factory horn (from meep-meep, to HOOOONNK). In order to remove the front bumper, I referred to Evilution's website and instructions (a great resource). As I followed his instructions, I noticed that "I had no polystyrene bumper pad on my U.S. smart 453 passion." His photos, one of which I posted in my original post, were of a U.K. smart 453 (RHD) and clearly showed this polystyrene pad.

This made me wonder if mine was missing... so I went online to order one, and could not even find the part in the diagram of the U.S. 453. This is why I came to the forum to ask if anyone with a U.S. smart 453 had this pad. So far, even though some great advice and opinion has been offered... no one (other than @rtcook) has actually said, "yeah, I don't have one either."

But thank you everyone for your assistance... my car is fine, and I've since decided that it is not missing a part that was never there.

 

[4smartdogs]

Surely this is not a U.S. thing... I removed my front bumper panel (to install new grille, horns, and strobes). I followed the instructions on evilution's website (paid member - thank you) and in one of his photos it shows this (I hope it's okay to use this - it's his photo not mine):

View attachment 66887

I don't have the foam pad outlined in red. Is this only on the U.K. cars?
Does anyone else know if this should exist? I can't even find this part on the U.S. based smart Parts diagrams.

View attachment 66888


Am I missing something... or am I missing something?

Jim

Sorry I’m so late to the party! I have a 2005 Passion. Here is a picture with the front removed.
I see a thick white styrofoam piece up higher, and a thin black closed cell foam piece below.
View attachment 67772 In