Detailing & Appearance Discuss washing, waxing and detailing information as well as interior/exterior cosmetic modifications. This includes neons, body, cosmetic wheels, etc. Even under the hood detailing.

Replaced Front Grille

Old 09-06-2006, 04:23 PM
  #1  
Senior Member
True Car Nut
Thread Starter
 
lash's Avatar
 
Join Date: Oct 2005
Location: Central Florida
Posts: 7,030
Likes: 0
Received 2 Likes on 2 Posts
lash is on a distinguished road
Default Replaced Front Grille

Well, mine had a broken mount and was slowly getting a wider gap on the passenger'* side. After considering a number of repair options, I opted to spend the big bucks and replace it with a new OEM one. Too many pics follow...

Maybe not looking too bad to some people, but it made me nuts.
Name:  090506004.jpg
Views: 59
Size:  30.8 KB
Name:  090506005.jpg
Views: 44
Size:  31.2 KB
Name:  090506006.jpg
Views: 74
Size:  58.2 KB

I had reglued the logo before, but it had seen better days
Name:  090506007.jpg
Views: 48
Size:  82.2 KB

View of broken mount from inside hood
Name:  090506008.jpg
Views: 72
Size:  20.8 KB

Ahhh....new grille....I love new parts!!!
Name:  090506009.jpg
Views: 48
Size:  29.1 KB

The speed nut was broken in three pieces, I had never seen that before. Of course, that meant I had to buy one of those PITA kits with only one of everything in it. Painted the new one white to match...
Name:  090506010.jpg
Views: 49
Size:  49.3 KB

The old and the new
Name:  090506011.jpg
Views: 47
Size:  41.1 KB

And the beatiful new grill on the car.
Name:  090506012.jpg
Views: 56
Size:  34.8 KB

Total actual labor time, about ten minutes including painting the speed nut and farting around. Now I just need to wash the rest of the car, lol.
lash is offline  
Old 09-06-2006, 04:29 PM
  #3  
Senior Member
Certified Car Nut
 
dbeast420's Avatar
 
Join Date: Aug 2004
Location: My reclining computer chair
Posts: 11,269
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
dbeast420 is on a distinguished road
Default

Looks good.
I bet that OEM grill was $$$
dbeast420 is offline  
Old 09-06-2006, 04:31 PM
  #4  
Senior Member
True Car Nut
Thread Starter
 
lash's Avatar
 
Join Date: Oct 2005
Location: Central Florida
Posts: 7,030
Likes: 0
Received 2 Likes on 2 Posts
lash is on a distinguished road
Default

Yeah I love being able to work on the car in the garage. Some things are just much easier.

I need to get some touch up paint before I do a claybar and polish. A careful application on the chips and it would help the overall look a bunch.

BTW, know anyone who has an interest in a free used, slightly broken grill?
lash is offline  
Old 09-06-2006, 07:54 PM
  #5  
Senior Member
True Car Nut
 
93-SSE's Avatar
 
Join Date: Mar 2006
Location: Virginia
Posts: 2,904
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
93-SSE is on a distinguished road
Default

ohman, what a differnce

i know what ya mean by the some people might not notice but it bothers the crap out of you

like my crooked BC decal
93-SSE is offline  
Old 09-07-2006, 12:04 PM
  #6  
Senior Member
True Car Nut
 
Echo SSEI's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2005
Location: _Phoenix, AZ_ _WCBF '05, '06, '07 Survivor_ ____NEBF '07 Remnant___
Posts: 3,448
Likes: 0
Received 6 Likes on 6 Posts
Echo SSEI is on a distinguished road
Default

Ooooooooohhhhhhhh..................Aaaaaaaaaahhhhh hhhh!!!!!!!!!!

Shiney.....shiney


That looks amazing. I am sure it cost a bit o' green, but you definitely would have a hard time finding one that nice in the junkyards. Nothin' like a PERFECT new grille. Great job
Echo SSEI is offline  
Old 09-07-2006, 02:24 PM
  #7  
Senior Member
True Car Nut
Thread Starter
 
lash's Avatar
 
Join Date: Oct 2005
Location: Central Florida
Posts: 7,030
Likes: 0
Received 2 Likes on 2 Posts
lash is on a distinguished road
Default

A while ago I learned that the nice little details can make all the difference in how you feel about an aging car.

A sagging headliner and ratty visors can make you want to replace a car, but replace the headliner and visors with new/recovered and it makes a huge difference!

This all assumes that your car is in good enough mechanical condition to make it worth while.
lash is offline  
Old 09-07-2006, 04:10 PM
  #8  
Senior Member
Posts like a Camaro
 
Sully1742's Avatar
 
Join Date: Apr 2005
Posts: 1,071
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Sully1742 is on a distinguished road
Default

Any reason you didn't go with the SSE/i grille? Still looks very nice. The little things make cars your own.
Sully1742 is offline  
Old 09-07-2006, 04:16 PM
  #9  
Senior Member
True Car Nut
Thread Starter
 
lash's Avatar
 
Join Date: Oct 2005
Location: Central Florida
Posts: 7,030
Likes: 0
Received 2 Likes on 2 Posts
lash is on a distinguished road
Default

Yes. My car is an SE...
lash is offline  
Old 09-07-2006, 06:57 PM
  #10  
Senior Member
Certified Car Nut
 
Gumball's Avatar
 
Join Date: Apr 2004
Location: Quincy, Ma
Posts: 15,342
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Gumball is on a distinguished road
Default

that would have bugged the crap out of me to Mike

seeing your car, which is hardly ever make me wonder where my old 97 is?
say? do you have beige cloth interior?
Gumball is offline  

Thread Tools
Search this Thread
Quick Reply: Replaced Front Grille



All times are GMT -4. The time now is 12:02 PM.