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      03-24-2010, 03:38 AM   #1
markjord
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Help - Useless DIY Man Can't Remove Grill

Sorry - I have searched on this and I know lots of you have done it but I'm just looking for that vital tip on unclipping the grill. I removed the 4 bolts - not much room to work - the bumper only comes forward a couple of inches and I'm scared of it cracking if I pull too hard. Anyway, it seems feasible to unclip the top ones but the one nearest the headlight seems very tight and very unobtainable I have tried doing that one first. Has anyone got any good tips for this job?
Thanks,

Mark
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      03-24-2010, 04:07 AM   #2
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It is one of those things that you have to be patient with. I'm sure you'd have to be pulling the bumper really hard to crack it anyway. When I did it, there was plenty of room and I didn't even pull that hard. Goodluck!
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      03-24-2010, 10:13 AM   #3
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One thing I found out is that the clips seem to need to be pushed the opposite way of what you would think. I expected that you would need to pull the whole clip inward toward the center of the kidneys, but that won't work. There is a little "tab" on each clip that you must push down while simultaneously pushing the grill forward/outward. Look at the clips on your new uninstalled grills (hopefully you have them) and you will see what I mean. My hands were a bit tender after the install...it's tough on your fingers. Good luck.
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      03-24-2010, 10:23 AM   #4
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http://www.e90post.com/forums/showthread.php?t=47059
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      03-24-2010, 09:09 PM   #5
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I used a small screw driver to press against the clip near the headlight after that the grill unclips very easily. Just be gentle. Once you do one side the other side is no problem....
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      03-24-2010, 11:39 PM   #6
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I'd like to know what's the order of clip release. I popped mine from the bottom first, then the pesky side ones, which allowed the grilles to tilt up, scraping the bumper a bit. It was going to be replaced, so didn't concern me, but had to struggle quite a bit to release the upper clips, and would NOT like to do that on a good bumper if I ever do it again.

Do popping the top ones first makes removal easier? If not, what did I miss on getting those removed without tilting the grilles? I had no way to exert force on the upper clips with grilles fully pushed in. Detailed instructions would be great. And yes, I was able to squeeze my hands with the 4 top bumper screws removed. Thx.
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      03-25-2010, 09:50 AM   #7
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you can find all DIY here:
http://www.e90post.com/forums/showthread.php?t=1721
those help me a lot for a couple of DIY I did on mine
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      03-30-2010, 05:38 AM   #8
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Quote:
Originally Posted by gemini330zhp View Post
I used a small screw driver to press against the clip near the headlight after that the grill unclips very easily. Just be gentle. Once you do one side the other side is no problem....
This is what I did on Sunday. You have to push the center of the grille tab down but it is a little tough especially on the ones closest to the headlight. I got a stubby flat head screwdriver and pressed the center in while pulling the grille out and it worked like a charm. Took less than 15 minutes to do both.
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      03-30-2010, 05:47 AM   #9
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try to do the hardest ones first (nearest headlights), work your way around.
I did it in 10 minutes both sides.
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      03-30-2010, 05:57 AM   #10
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Quote:
Originally Posted by FruitCake View Post
try to do the hardest ones first (nearest headlights), work your way around.
I did it in 10 minutes both sides.
+1
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      04-01-2010, 05:40 AM   #11
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Thanks guys - all done - manged one and got my friendly mechanic round to do the other to avoid any more damage to the hands. Matt black on JB looking good.
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      04-02-2010, 03:21 PM   #12
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Quote:
Originally Posted by markjord View Post
Has anyone got any good tips for this job?
Thanks,

Mark
Cut out the center of the grill / easy to access inside
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      04-02-2010, 04:55 PM   #13
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holy shit plz dont do that
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      04-02-2010, 05:57 PM   #14
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Quote:
Originally Posted by FruitCake View Post
holy shit plz dont do that
please, please do it! Do it for me
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      04-03-2010, 09:15 AM   #15
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Wow....how did you cut that?

The cutting must have taken longer than pushing on the clips...
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      04-03-2010, 11:35 AM   #16
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Quote:
Originally Posted by saeedg48 View Post
please, please do it! Do it for me
PM me

Quote:
Originally Posted by auggiem3 View Post
The cutting must have taken longer than pushing on the clips...
Actually, no ...
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      04-06-2010, 09:57 PM   #17
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It took me 5 min to put replace everything thats from start to finished

I dont know why u cut the grill but whatever works for u

btw what did u end up replacing it with?
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      03-18-2011, 06:32 PM   #18
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Start With The Lower Ones !!!

I began trying to pull the mounting bracket closest to the headlight and it was a major PITA. This was the way most people here suggested. It didn't want to come out at all.

I then tried pulling the lower ones first ( the ones closer to the mesh grill ) . It then took me like 10 min for both sides.

E92 2007
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      03-21-2011, 01:56 PM   #19
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i didn't even start with the ones nearest the headlights...
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      03-21-2011, 07:49 PM   #20
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A tiny screwdriver is a HUGE help with the difficult tabs closest to the lights. I started up top first...
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      03-29-2011, 09:51 PM   #21
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Removal for me was a breeze although I have small hands. I had both factory grills removed, aftermarket installed and the top bumper bolts installed in less than three minutes.
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      04-05-2011, 05:53 PM   #22
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I managed to do it in about 25 minutes, iirc. Now I've decided to replace the matte grilles with gloss. I've had the new grilles for 6 weeks now, but have not been eager to deal with the tabs again. Indeed very hard on the fingers and fingernails!
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