I want to replace my three upper and one lower body color grill slats with black slats. Bought the two slat assemblies and painted them. Did my research and found and read four different sets of instructions on grill removal/replacement, but now I’m stuck on what is said to be an easy task!

Removing the eleven zip nuts and lifting out the grill assembly was easy. It appears that the snap clips on the grill slats will be easy to release, but the slats are sandwiched between the black frame and the chrome arch so the chrome arch must be removed before releasing the slats. I’ve tried and experimented (over and over again), but cannot find the secret for releasing the chrome arch from the black frame! Stupidity, dyslexia, and senility are contributing factors!

Can somebody please post instructions (simple enough for even me to follow) on how to separate the chrome grill surround from the black backing frame?

You help will be greatly appreciated!

 

You could've not done the zip nuts and just released the ends of the curved chrome grill. But that's moot point now. All you need to do is unclip the first three clips in both ends of the surrounding chrome trim. That's enough to get the ends of the grill slats free of the trim. I've found that the 2nd clip to be the most difficlut to release. Use your flat head screwdriver at different angles to pop it free. Once that's done it's sort of easy. I've actually made pdf instructions with pictures but it's a 2.5M download.

The bottom trim does not require you to remove the bumper, so don't! Starting near the middle of the slat, use your screwdriver and insert it between the slat and the frame that it's glued on to. You will be releasing the foam glue strip that holds the slat in place. Do a little at a time and work you way towards the ends of the slat. Once the slat is unglued you need to bow it slightly to free it from the surrouding chrome trim. Take it off and use a putty knife, Goo Gone or nail polish remover and a bit of elbow grease to clean up the frame so it has a clean surface. You can now install your new grill!

 

Thanks for the quick response Way. You make it sound so very easy!
After a struggle I was able to release the three clips on each end of the chrome surround, but am having no luck at all with the end clips on the slats.

Thanks for the tip on the lower slat. I’d seen the posts referring to BruceK’s excellent tutorial, but until your post I was afraid to try it.

I you’d email me the 2.5M pdf file it might help me overcome my handicaps!
nataylorATjps.net
Obviously - replace the AT with an @

Thank you!

 

Disregard the request for the pdf instructions. I finally decided that a little more force might get them separated or it might break something. If they separated then I'd be home free, and if something broke it wouldn't be the end of the world - it would just cost some $$ to replace and have the dealer do what everybody else says is easy.

Maybe at 69 I'm too old to be using hand tools!!!!

 

The clips have an upper and lower set - the lower clips have a larger ledge. Release those first and the upper clip should be easier to release. I also started with the top of the three slats and worked my way to the lower slat. Good luck!

 

Sorry - I forgot (senility again) to add the last line to my previous post - here it is:

With the additional force the damned thing finally came apart. Thanks for the help and encouragement.