cmbezln Posted May 14, 2012 Share Posted May 14, 2012 Ive searched this forum up and down. All the information i could find was either too vague, didnt have pictures (expired) or was for a 2005-07 anybody have any information for this? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Leke Posted May 14, 2012 Share Posted May 14, 2012 From what I remember, the easiest way is to take off the front bumper. The grille is held on by some screws that are difficult to get to if the bumper is still on the car. Here's an image of my bumper to show you what I'm talking about. The grille sits in the open space that is in the right portion of the picture. http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8028/7581496634_7ae3e2994f_b.jpg Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cmbezln Posted May 14, 2012 Author Share Posted May 14, 2012 Ah, okay....Do you have any information on how to get the bumper off ? Ive got rid of every popit in sight, including behind the wheel well, and it's still not budging. it seems to be connected somwhere behind where the license plate used to be. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Code Posted May 14, 2012 Share Posted May 14, 2012 There are locking tabs between the headlight and wheel well. It's a scary/firm pull but it will pop right off. The grill will be coming with it so be sure to disconnect the tabs on the top of it where the rad cross-member is "Striving to better, oft we mar what's well." - Bill Shakespeare - car modder Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jasejase Posted May 14, 2012 Share Posted May 14, 2012 Assuming the gt's are the same as the n/a's (which they should be)... you do not have to remove the bumper in the 09's. My buddy with an 08 lgt insists that he DOES have to remove the bumper, but in my 09, i did not have to. A matter of fact, i can take my grill out in about 2 minutes. Open the hood. There are some screws or plastic uphostery screw clips at the top of the grill.. maybe 2... maybe 4. cant remember. Then there are 4 (i think) 'clips.' You push in the little tabs on the clips, and that (along with the removed screws) sets the entire top of the assembly free... .The bottom rests in slots of some sort iirc. Just kinda pull up at an angle. Wiggle a bit, and it should come free. Unless mine came broken from the factory! If this makes no sense, i blame the cold meds. I can take a pic or something if really needed. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Max Capacity Posted May 14, 2012 Share Posted May 14, 2012 No...you just unbolt the twp bolts and take a small screwdriver and push in the the center of the top clip to unlock them and slide the grill forward. Be careful with the bottom slip fit guides as you wiggle it forward. If it takes more then 5 minutes your doing way to much. I popped mine out of the wagon before I pulled the engine 2 weeks ago. http://i185.photobucket.com/albums/x40/92Si/DSCN4684.jpg 305,600miles 5/2012 ej257 short block, 8/2011 installed VF52 turbo, @20.8psi, 280whp, 300ftlbs. (SOLD). CHECK your oil, these cars use it. Engine Build - Click Here Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jasejase Posted May 15, 2012 Share Posted May 15, 2012 Update... Here is a pic. I took a pic of right HALF the grill, however the left side is exactly the same. The Purple cirlcle is the upholstery style clip that needs to be undone. There are two total - one on each side. The red cirlces are the holes where the grille clips secure the grille. Gently take a small screw driver and push into these holes (four total) and the clip should release. I have done this enough (swapped out my grille numerous times) that i think i have broken two of mine at this point... So be careful. Once these six spots are freed, you should be able to just wiggle and pull forward and a bit upward iirc. No bumper removal needed. http://i1240.photobucket.com/albums/gg490/jasejase1/grillhelp.jpg Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ColdBore Posted May 15, 2012 Share Posted May 15, 2012 08 lgt does not require removal of bumper for grill.. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jasejase Posted May 15, 2012 Share Posted May 15, 2012 I didn't think the 08 would be diff than the 09. But my buddy insists. Next time I see him I will bust his chops about it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SpecBGuy Posted May 15, 2012 Share Posted May 15, 2012 i dont know how u can wiggle it out? i had to take out my bumper since there were screws holding my grille. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jasejase Posted May 15, 2012 Share Posted May 15, 2012 09 slides forward and out. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Code Posted May 15, 2012 Share Posted May 15, 2012 Unless you have the tiniest hands ever, it's way easier to take the whole bumper off. "Striving to better, oft we mar what's well." - Bill Shakespeare - car modder Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ColdBore Posted May 15, 2012 Share Posted May 15, 2012 the ONLY reason to take off whole bumper is a FMIC (maybe hellas). it's not hard, you just cant see them. just feel for them. 2 screws. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jasejase Posted May 15, 2012 Share Posted May 15, 2012 I don't recall mine having any screws. Just the points I circled above. I can take another look, but I'm pretty sure. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ColdBore Posted May 15, 2012 Share Posted May 15, 2012 I don't recall mine having any screws. Just the points I circled above. I can take another look, but I'm pretty sure. possibly different on 09 in this aspect. theyre useless anyway. another thought, if your not 1st owner maybe previous owner refused to put the useless screws back in, like me after the third time i removed it Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jasejase Posted May 15, 2012 Share Posted May 15, 2012 Coulda been. Im gonna double Check tomorrow! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
I Donated Too luchadorjose Posted May 15, 2012 I Donated Too Share Posted May 15, 2012 There are screws from the factory, it's most likely that whoever can take it out easily had someone not put them back in. I sure didnt Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gyung Posted May 15, 2012 Share Posted May 15, 2012 The 08s have 6 screws holding the grille to the bumper, just as the 09s should. It's easier to remove the bumper skin (I got it down to a science and it takes all of 3 mins) but if you have small enough hands, and no hellas or anything else in the way, you can manage to get the screws off without removing it. I highly recommend a magnetic stubby screwdriver if you don't remove the bumper skin. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Code Posted May 15, 2012 Share Posted May 15, 2012 the ONLY reason to take off whole bumper is a FMIC (maybe hellas). it's not hard, you just cant see them. just feel for them. 2 screws. Koji mod. "Striving to better, oft we mar what's well." - Bill Shakespeare - car modder Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ColdBore Posted May 15, 2012 Share Posted May 15, 2012 no. i mean the only reason to take off the bumper to get the grill out is FMIC and maybe hellas because your hand wont fit. i understand that theyre numerous mods involving the removal of the bumper. btw, got my Racer x in snug Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
golunnova Posted May 15, 2012 Share Posted May 15, 2012 Late to the party but I have removed the stock grill from both a 08 and a 09. Both of them had 6 screws in the back holding them down to the bumper. Get a mirror and screwdriver ready. Hope you have small hands. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Leke Posted May 15, 2012 Share Posted May 15, 2012 Update... Here is a pic. I took a pic of right HALF the grill, however the left side is exactly the same. The Purple cirlcle is the upholstery style clip that needs to be undone. There are two total - one on each side. The red cirlces are the holes where the grille clips secure the grille. Gently take a small screw driver and push into these holes (four total) and the clip should release. I have done this enough (swapped out my grille numerous times) that i think i have broken two of mine at this point... So be careful. Once these six spots are freed, you should be able to just wiggle and pull forward and a bit upward iirc. No bumper removal needed. http://i1240.photobucket.com/albums/gg490/jasejase1/grillhelp.jpg Strange. In addition to the parts you've circled, I, and a couple others in the thread, had the 6 additional screws holding the grille to the car. I wouldn't be able to slide/wiggle it off without breaking it. I damn near sliced my wrist open the first time I tried to get my hand in between the gap. Though, I drive an 09 3.0r. I wonder why there would be a difference Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bmx045 Posted May 15, 2012 Share Posted May 15, 2012 08 and 09 have an identical grille mounting, yes with screws. neither years require bumper removal- why? because i owned an 08 and 09 and removed the grille the same way for both. use a stubby philipshead screwdriver and hold the grille forward while you feel around the perimeter of the backside of the grille, once you feel the screws, unscrew them, there's also two tab clips on the inside of the grille right beneath the popit holes, may need to push those aside so the sides of the grille separates the TEH bumper. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jasejase Posted May 15, 2012 Share Posted May 15, 2012 hmmm. seems like i just lucked out, and the prior owner never put the screws back in. FWIT, dont put them back in, because there is no need. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bmx045 Posted May 15, 2012 Share Posted May 15, 2012 all i have are the two popits on top, the grille doesn't move, at all. i even drove without the popits and the grille just clipped in at the top, doesn't budge, the hood holds it good there Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Archived
This topic is now archived and is closed to further replies.