I just replaced the rear bumper bar on my 2013 Jeep Patriot today. It was almost completely rusted out where it bolts to each frame bracket. This video was a big help and made the job much easier. Many thanks!
Thanks for the video, this was exactly what I was looking for. I just checked Rock Auto and unless I missed something the cheapest one I saw was $65 dollars and $27 shipping. I purchased the car two years ago and replaced the front and back sub frames, I don't remember seeing anything else that caught my attention as far as other rust. Last month I failed inspection for the rockers and this support along with front and back brakes. I can't replace the car now so I'm doing some replacement parts and some Gorilla tape on the rockers, it's to bad because it still runs good.
Rocker panel rust-through is common on Calibers here in the rust belt...driver's side tends to go first. If you're handy you can buy replacement panels for ~$60 each on eBay and replace them yourself. I did the driver's side 2-3 years ago and the passenger side looks like it'll need replacing next year
Thanks for the video. Have to take mine off (2010 Caliber ... a red one too!) so I can access that reinforcement bar and this makes it look easy. My reinforcement bar is nowhere like the condition of yours so don't have to remove it but has some rust I need to clean off and paint (and spray with undercoat) to stop it from getting to that point, and your video makes the job look easier. I'm not too bad a "driveway mechanic" when it comes to just replacing some parts but always nice to not have to figure it out on my own. I find a door panel removal tool is useful for removing those pop out clips ... easier than a screwdriver. Cheap tool, should be easy to find at auto parts stores - the one that looks like a screwdriver with an angled forked end. I've found it useful occasionally for other stuff too.
Just did mine this week - took the reinforcement bar off and ground off some rust, and painted it. Fortunately the 7 bolts were not seized so came off easily. Your first step of lifting that back panel and pulling back the rubber wasn't necessary. The plastic clips are easily accessible just by pushing up a bit on the rubber. I also didn't remove the wheels ... easy enough to get the bolts off for the flap although the one at the top was a bit difficult getting out and back in with the wheel on (used a long extension on a socket to reach it) ... still, it was less work than jacking up and removing the wheels.
Im a retied mechanic. And i have this ride. And i have replaces this part. And you do Not. Need to remove the one behind he tire. He just made work for self. And you so not not to remove the tires. You can bring the wheel well cover. Just play with it a bit. And you can reach you hand up in. With your ratchet and remove the 3 you need to remove. Dont ever cause yourself extra work. And you may want to spray your new support with undercoating. And you will never have to do this again. Its in a black spray can at autozone or advance. Any question?
Very nice video. Need to replace mine after going over a train track crossing it fell off in the middle of the road. Currently got the old on in my trunk. Seems to be a common issue on these things. Mines a 2007.
Very common...they seem to be made from the same poor quality steel as the subframes. Be sure to liberally coat the new one inside and out with something like Fluid Film to keep the new one from rusting!
