So my husband had a bit of a fender bender. Okay. More than the fenders. it ripped off the entire bumper as well as the driver side headlight assembly. It also damaged the grille and passenger side headlight assembly and bent the fenders slightly.

I LOVE this car, but the estimates have ranged from 1200 for a patch job to 4100 for a complete repair. With a 3 year old, a baby on the way, and 1 income, that's a little absurd. Not to mention we only paid 2500 for my lovely to begin with.

I've got the headlights and grille ordered and I know how to put them on. I'm gonna run with the fenders like they are until we get more money.

What I'm stuck on is the bumper. My instructions show how to remove the cover, and say to install the new one just reverse the directions. But with the whole shebang missing, I need a little more detail than that.

I know I can do it, I just need some instructions. Anyone out there who can help me with how to install the reinforcer, absorber AND cover?

Also, on one pro estimate I saw an air dam listed. In some of the teeny tiny parts listing photos I've seen it looked suspiciously similar to the foam absorber. Are they the same? If not, do I really need the air dam and where does it go?

Thanks in advance,
Jessica