[jph]

i'm trying to replace the OEM grille with a new sports grille.

the instructions that come with it are not clear.
do i need to take the whole bumper off to get the grille out ?


J.

[jph]

damnit!

it looks like i have to remove the front bumper in order to remove the grille!
and i can't figure it out!


J.

[GoldNBlack]

Its pretty easy to pull off the bumper. Did you figure it out yet? There are the 4 snap locks along the inside hood then there are six snap lock fastners on the bottom that attach the bumper to the under tray and then there are 3 in front of each wheel and a strange rivet thing. After those are out, I started at the wheel wells and the bymper jsut unsnaps so to speak along that seam. Then it unsnaps from under the headlights and its off. THe fasteners are all those kind that you un screw just a quarter turn and the middle section pops out, then they pull out. I've got pics from mine but don't have them posted yet.

Steve

[jph]

Originally Posted by GoldNBlack

Its pretty easy to pull off the bumper. Did you figure it out yet? There are the 4 snap locks along the inside hood then there are six snap lock fastners on the bottom that attach the bumper to the under tray and then there are 3 in front of each wheel and a strange rivet thing. After those are out, I started at the wheel wells and the bymper jsut unsnaps so to speak along that seam. Then it unsnaps from under the headlights and its off. THe fasteners are all those kind that you un screw just a quarter turn and the middle section pops out, then they pull out. I've got pics from mine but don't have them posted yet.

Steve

yeah, i was able to figure it out after staring at it for about an hour haha.

i'll have some pics up in my journal in a little while.

i also removed the silencer while i was inthere.


J.

[GilMikalian]

No need to remove the bumper. Remove the two set of clips connecting the grille to the body panel immediately in front of the radiator. There are four screws you need to remove from the lower side of the grille. You'll need to snake your arm down from the opening you created from removing the clips. Once you have the four screws out, simply pull the grille out toward the front of the car. You will need a VERY stubby phillips head.

[jph]

Originally Posted by GilMikalian

No need to remove the bumper. Remove the two set of clips connecting the grille to the body panel immediately in front of the radiator. There are four screws you need to remove from the lower side of the grille. You'll need to snake your arm down from the opening you created from removing the clips. Once you have the four screws out, simply pull the grille out toward the front of the car. You will need a VERY stubby phillips head.

were you able to do that?
i have skinny arms, and was not able to do it that way


J.

[GilMikalian]

yeah, you do a bit by feel since it's tough to see. I also have this neat philips head that is about 2 inches long which allows me to work in close quarters...picked it up from Sears. I've removed the front grille twice without ever removing the bumper cover, and my arms are by no stretch of the imagination skinny.

[mattjk]

Don't remove the bumper!!! I did mine with a stubby Phillips like GilMikalian describes.

[jph]

removing the bumper was faster


J.

[GilMikalian]

Looks like I'll be removing the bumper to disconnect the second horn. By the way, are the fog lights any more accessible with the bumper removed? I need to swap out the white bulbs for some yellow ones I got.

[SlackerNJ]

You definitely don't have to remove the bumper. Pop out the 4 plastic locks on top. Then instead of trying to squeeze your arm down through the top, just go up from the bottom. Reaching through the lower opening is cake. Just unscrew the 4 screws (you do need a short screwdriver) and pull the grill towards you. There are two long tabs on the back, squeeze them up as you push the grill out from behind.