Originally Posted by Squabble

well, upon further digging, i think i've stumbled upon a u.s. d.o.t. overzealous welding situation.

check the attached pics, it appears that they have welded a large piece of rectangular metal support bar from angled pieces that attach the bumper to the car, all the way over to the bend. they then welded smaller metal bars from these pieces all the way to the hooks that hold the bumper on the sides of the car... this has made it impossible to remove the original metal bar that runs along the center as they are now welded directly to the bumper via the small hooks on the ends.

now if someone has the pics or memory to confirm this theory i'd really appreciate seeing them, any pics of the back of a three piece euro bumper would really help out here. i think i might have to get out the angle grinder and try to get in there...