M&S Type D Grille Install -Part 1 (Pics!)

**rpeeljoe** · 08-24-2010 11:36 PM

Installed the M&S Type D grille yesterday…
Let me know what you all think…positive and negative comments welcomed.

Made the decision to not to go the bumper removal route to get the factory grille off. Small hands really, really helped here.

Start removing screws…

Once the exposed screws are removed you’ll be able to pull the bumper away from the car a bit -a TINY bit- and reach inside. This pulling of the bumper was easily accomplished with the help of my lovely yet muscular Man (Read: dood I live with & co pilot.) Next you’ll meet and have to pry off THESE evil, silver, metal devils:

Pry the evil, silver, metal devils off the grille tabs with a flat head screw driver. (There are two devils.)
Then reach in with the shortest Phillips head screwdriver EVAR and start feeling for and removing the 6 interior screws.
(No pictures here. There’s far too little wiggle room at this point to get a flashlight, a camera and your head inside).

Once all the screws are out, you'll need to tackle the 3 tabs that are the only things left keeping the grille attached to the bumper. (Wrench the tabs around a bit with needle nosed pliers to try to break any glue connection that might be there.) Then...taking one tab at a time, put pressure against the bumper and yank the grill to pull each tab out.
Location of these tabs:

Next, and I admit we had trouble with this step, but it has to be done: trim your bumper.
All these tabs and lips have got to go for the best fitment of the new grille:

Used a box cutter with a new blade:

Trimming’s done…not pretty, but the new and awesome grille will cover it completely:

Next, prep the new grille and bumper for install: clean contact points with rubbing alcohol. Wait, what…alcohol? Well now that you mention it, take a quick break and put a beer mug in the freezer. That way it’s icy cold when you finish your mod and are ready to sit back in a lawn chair and enjoy a beverage whilst taking in the snazzy new view of your install.

Then, as recommended, apply 3M double sided exterior tape to the bottom edges of the M&S Type D grille. Yep, gotta do it. The bottom of the grille won’t make solid contact with the bumper without it.

Carp! Running out of time today…part 2 -and new grille install pics- to follow…

**rpeeljoe** · 08-25-2010 10:08 AM

Oops…can a mod move this to a more appropriate section (like, uh, Exterior, LOL). My apologies.

**snoopy0812** · 08-25-2010 01:36 PM

better to be put in the How-To/Reviews section.

**rpeeljoe** · 08-25-2010 06:58 PM

Continued...

Screw the separate radiator piece that comes with the M&S Type D grille to the grill and then screw the whole contraption back on the car. (Using some nylon screws and washers made everything go back together with a much sturdier feel.)

(Seems I used the non-English speaking nylon washers and screws.)

Once everything’s screwed back on you need to press against the bottom of the grille and hold down on it for a bit so the 3M tape makes good contact and sticks to the bumper.
Last note: At just the right angle two screws are visible. Get a paint pen and paint them to match.

All Done!

Before:

After:

And what to do with the left over wing emblem?

Brews faster now, riiiiight?

**Navara** · 08-27-2010 10:28 AM

Nice! Cant wait to get one on my car

**rpeeljoe** · 08-27-2010 02:14 PM

Originally Posted by Navara

Nice! Cant wait to get one on my car

THANKS! Really appreciate the comment.
You’ll love the change when you do it…promise!

**Navara** · 11-19-2010 11:33 AM

After looking at this for a while, i noticed that it really takes alot of black away from the front. Do you have any larger head on shots of it?

**rpeeljoe** · 11-19-2010 12:01 PM

Originally Posted by Navara

After looking at this for a while, i noticed that it really takes alot of black away from the front. Do you have any larger head on shots of it?

Hey Navara!

I do have this one older shot:

But your request for a better/larger head on shot gives me the perfect excuse to get some practice with a newly purchased DSLR camera!
I'll hop on that and post more pics up soon.

**Navara** · 11-19-2010 12:53 PM

Cool thanks! I've been procrastinating on getting a grill haha so i dont have one yet. If I do get one I might get it in gloss black.

**CMcCane** · 11-19-2010 08:52 PM

That grill looks great on these cars. I really like the mesh on it versus the Luxon ones and other skinny mesh grilles.

Thread: M&S Type D Grille Install -Part 1 (Pics!)

LinkBack

Thread Tools

M&S Type D Grille Install -Part 1 (Pics!)

M&S Type D Grille Install Part 2 (Pics!)

Posting Permissions