How To: Remove/Change Front Center Grille

[pedsemdoc]

This is for the 2006 M45, but should also likely apply to the 2006/07 M35/45 as well.

Task: Removing/Changing the front center grille
Time Needed: About 20-30 minutes
Tools/Supplies Needed:
1. Masking tape to protect bumper
2. Long handled flat head screw driver
3. Service manual also recommends using a pair of needle nose pliers
4. OEM grille or aftermarket grille

Process:



1. Open Hood, I removed the front air duct to give me some more room to work. Place some masking tape along lower portion of the grille along the bumper to protect it when you remove it.

2. The front center grille is held on by 2 standard black clips at the top (red arrows) , 2 slots just beneath the top on either side, and 2 fasteners and 2 slots for each side along the bottom (yellow arrows).



3. Close up of the bottom fasteners and slots on the passenger side (straight on view)



4. Close up of the bottom fasteners and slots on the driver side (top down view)



5. Picture of the OEM grille from behind showing the bottom fastener and tabs that fit in the slots.



6. Basically use the screwdriver to pry up the center portion of the top fasteners to release the clip.
7. Either use the pliers to gentle squeeze the tab to release it from the slot on either side just below the top portion of the grille. (I used a screwdriver to push them in and accidentally broke the tab - NO big deal because the grille is held in really well by the top fasteners and the bottom fasteners and slots. )
8. I used the long handle flat head screwdriver to slowly pry the bottom fasteners apart.
9. Once the grille starts to loosen up, you can grab the grille and slowly pull on it from either side to release it from the slots along the bottom.
10. Take your time, but it will eventually come out.
11. Reverse the process to replace the grille.

Here's my new C-mod grille



Craig


Ilya can you move this to the How To & FAQ section, please?

[svard75]

Nice writeup! What about the writeup on how you made the new grill, or did you buy it like that?

[pedsemdoc]

Thanks,

The grille was from http://cmodgrilles.auctivacommerce.com/ ... 06349.aspx
It's made of fiberglass, so not super tough and the edges can chip, so be careful with it.
I plasti dipped mine with several coats of black to give it some more protection, then glossifier, so it would be shiny to match the lower fog light grills

The emblem is not included - bought a used one from Fleabay and stuck it on with 3m tape, but seems a little small, so have a larger one coming.

[Larz]

That looks brilliant, Doc ! And using glossifier was a great idea as well. It keeps the PlastiDip from looking like such a different surface texture that the body parts surrounding it. Well done !

[pedsemdoc]

Thanks Larz, Plasti Dip is amazing stuff and I'd either have to keep the matte look without the glossifier for the center grille and then dip my fog light grilles to make them look matte or vice versa.

Next project is to do my wheels, they've got a good amount of curb rash on them and I've seen the aluminum metallizer dip - it can make it look like you spent hundreds refinishing your wheels for about $70 of dip.

[Ilya]

Adding to FAQ. Good work.

[zags]

Anyone know the part # or the dimensions of the top two clip/fasteners for the grille? I also need a few that have lost their fastening ability to secure some of the engine plastic trim. It looks like there are a few different size, so not sure which to get. thanks!

[Ilya]

You can try looking through a site like infinitipartsusa.com to see if they come up.

[pedsemdoc]

Anyone know the part # or the dimensions of the top two clip/fasteners for the grille? I also need a few that have lost their fastening ability to secure some of the engine plastic trim.

Hey man, I used these ones:
http://www.clipsandfasteners.com/Nissan ... a19274.htm

Head diameter: 20 mm
Stem length: 9 mm
Inner Pin length: 22 mm
Stem diameter: 8 mm at its widest

Total cost was $14.94 ($11.38 + $3.56 for shipping) for a box of 15

Seemed a little pricey for what they are - but got frustrated trying to get the right size when looking for fasteners at hardware store.
I replace any jacked up ones I find when I'm doing maintenance stuff.

Craig

[zags]

^ perfect, thanks! Thought that was the right size, but wanted to make sure.

[zags]

^ and yea agreed, these seem to loose their "fastening" ability once after awhile and especially if you have to remove them one or twice.

[pedsemdoc]

I know I bought some clearly cheaply made ones on Fleabay...plastic was really weak. The quality of the ones I purchased seems better - My guess is over time, and especially if you live where it gets freezing/freakin' cold often, the plastic gets brittle and weak and these things just break.

[bakili]

Anyone know the part # or the dimensions of the top two clip/fasteners for the grille? I also need a few that have lost their fastening ability to secure some of the engine plastic trim.

Hey man, I used these ones:
http://www.clipsandfasteners.com/Nissan ... a19274.htm

Head diameter: 20 mm
Stem length: 9 mm
Inner Pin length: 22 mm
Stem diameter: 8 mm at its widest

Total cost was $14.94 ($11.38 + $3.56 for shipping) for a box of 15

Seemed a little pricey for what they are - but got frustrated trying to get the right size when looking for fasteners at hardware store.
I replace any jacked up ones I find when I'm doing maintenance stuff.

Craig

Hello!
are these clips the same size throughout the front of the car? I have many clips missing from plastic held down in engine bay compartment. I plan on takin off the bumper to paint it as well as modding the grill maybe. I know for sure that some clips are missing and some probably will break during this whole process. So if that box of 15 matches all the front clips used, then I'll def get it

[pedsemdoc]

are these clips the same size throughout the front of the car?

I'm pretty sure, I remember pulling out the box to use them on some clips in the engine bay and for some of the ones for the wheel bay covers too.
BTW FYI seems like the same clip size in the M37 as well.

[bakili]

Sweet. Thanks pedsemdoc for all the info. Of course I have sooo many clips missing, whole engine bay plastic is holding on just on good intentions :P
So finally did my grill. Observed you guys plasti-dipping and stuff, couldn't stand and just watch now could I
I like it better now. Next the whole bumper refresh! (Black Restored the lower plastic too)

[pedsemdoc]

Bakili,

looks good...

the other thing I did was buy some fastener plugs at Home Depot/Lowes - if you look in the specialty hardware/fastener section
something like this: http://www.homedepot.com/p/Everbilt-3-1 ... /204273776
I bought some primer, touch up paint, and clear coat and made my own bumper hole plugs for way cheaper than buying the commercially available ones.

I guess if you're gonna repaint your bumper, you could just fill in the old license plate holes with Bondo and then respray. Another member DeanM45, has resprayed/refreshed his front bumper a few times and it looks good - he says all you need is a little time and a decent spray gun.

Craig