Re: That bumper "accordian" thing

[David Ritter <dritter@mich.com>]

Andrew Duane USG/PE writes:
 > A couple of weeks ago, someone started a discussion of a strange
 > black plastic "accordian" looking thing inside their front bumper.
 > 
 > I saw this yesterday on my '89 100Q, and am perplexed. It's
 > about 8" long, and fits between the bumper and the frame of
 > the car. It seems completely unattached to anything, and I
 > can't see how it does ANYTHING funtional.
 > 
 > Whatthehellisit?

I heard that it was actually some type of energy absorption device as
a balance of some sort for the offset engine.

I am not convinced that this is correct, I can't believe that the
accordion does anything useful. 

However, I saw some type of econobox the other day with a cracked
front bumper, and a piece of styrofoam was exposed. I guess anything 
is possible.

David