How do front bumper shock absorbers work?

[Gaston]

Do they work just like a heavy duty shock/strut and rebound after an impact? I hit a
guardrail this winter and one is more compressed than the other. Do they need
to be "reset"?

[mohaughn]

I've always understood them to be a wreck and replace kind of item. I've never worked in a body shop and could be completely wrong though.

[Mallard]

they are a wreck and replace item

HAve you had a look under the car since the accident? It may be a damaged strut / snapped spring / out of allignment / strut mounts damaged?

[Gaston]

Originally Posted by Mallard

they are a wreck and replace item

HAve you had a look under the car since the accident? It may be a damaged strut / snapped spring / out of allignment / strut mounts damaged?

Here's a pic:


I don't see damage. The rod sticking out is just shorter than the rod on the
other side. I was hoping I could just pull it back out

[Mallard]

give it a go

they are intended to give a resistance, so they shouldnt go completely under force.

Try and see if it can be pulled out, but if the damper is dead, then if you´re unlucky enough to have another smack, then the bumper will be connecting with the chassis hard..