Removing Protege Grille

[Rhys_Mazda323]

hey guys

wanted to know if those who have replaced their sp20's grille had any troubles getting the stock grille off?

iv bought an aftermarket grille from a friend for $100

when i tried to remove the stock grille i had trouble though

i undid both screws, and popped the 4 plastic plugs, but when i started to pull the grille away it was pulling the front bumper with it

to be honest i stopped thinking i was going to damage my bumper

i know there are a few large clips/plugs as well but is there anything i have missed?
or is there a certain method as to pulling the grille off?

the aftermarket grille i have bought isnt designed with all the plastic clips and plugs etc
just has the 2 screw points and thats it
will this effect the security of my front end?


cheers for your suggestions and help, Rhys

[70NYD]

mate welcome to the site (officialy ) i had a read of your other thread n i like ur car its really nice, especialy the colour is that ford blue print blue?

i never dealt with a sp20 front end but my mate has a BJJ n i removed his front end cus of some damage so we can fix it..

from memory i took off the grill even though i didnt need to, n im sure that there are 2 or so bolts underneath that you can only get to by removing the plastic under neath the car.. now dont quote me on this, seriusly, cus i did this over the last summer so it was quite a while ago. but gives you something to look at till someone with a sp20 posts a proper reply
best of luck either way

[Rhys_Mazda323]

cheers mate

the more i have to look for the better haha

not sure where the colour originated exactly
i know it was the only colour you could buy this special model in though

[70NYD]

oh haha ford blueprint blue is a new colour i beleive.. i dunno i was just being a smartass cus of your liscene plates

[project.r.racing]

there is a 3rd screw down the bottom of the OEM grill ins't there?
where aftermarket ones only have the upper outside 2?
maybe where you are going wrong?

ryan

[marcs_sp20]

Originally Posted by project.r.racing

there is a 3rd screw down the bottom of the OEM grill ins't there?
where aftermarket ones only have the upper outside 2?
maybe where you are going wrong?

ryan

From what I recall, there is only the 2 top bolts up top and the rest are just clips, bottom of the grille just clips into the top of the bumper (where it meets the bottom of the grille if that makes sense)

I'll do a how-to when I get home this arvo after work for ya

[02-KQ-LASR]

im pretty sure you just lever it out.
once its undine at the top, slighly pull it towards you and it should just pop off...

[marcs_sp20]

How to Remove Grille

Tools Needed
10mm socket or spanner
Flat head screwdriver
Hands

Time Taken
5 mins max

Instructions

1. lift bonnet, should be able to see the 2 nuts at the end of the bumper where it meets the top corner of the headlights (highlighted as the outer red circles). The other 2 red circles are where the clips are, wedge the flat head screwdriver behind just enough for them to come loose...


2. Once the screws are taken out, pull at the corners very gently, just so they come away from the bumper like so:


3. This should have made the bottom of the grille loose, so once again pull very gently, and it should just come out with some leverage.


This is why you would find it stuck at the bottom, there is 3 clips total connecting the bottom of the grille to the bumper...


4. Stand back and see how weird your car looks without a grille in place


Let us know if ya need anymore info.
Marc

[Rhys_Mazda323]

that's perfect mate
cheers

i'll try again this weekend see how i go

[Rhys_Mazda323]

Originally Posted by 70NYD

oh haha ford blueprint blue is a new colour i beleive.. i dunno i was just being a smartass cus of your liscene plates

haha i realised that but felt like answering the question anyway lol

[02-KQ-LASR]

astina ones are way easier than laser ones. i have to take my bumper off to get mine out. i had to do it yesterday to put mesh into the bumper airdam.