Interior/Exterior Aero Grill, alot tougher to install then I thought.
#1
Join Date: Oct 2003
Location: Dover, Fl
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Aero Grill, alot tougher to install then I thought.
Just think, I havent done the bottom part yet... Them so called nuts that hold the front grill on are not worth a crap. They were a Son of a Gun to remove. (Broke 3 studs that held the grill on.) To reinstall them on the new grill is a joke. Are they suppose to just screw on? If so, they dont. I had to use standard nuts to hold the front on.(A nut with real threads.) Anybody else have trouble getting the front grill off? Maybe its because Ive been working on the car most of the day installing my OCC and intercooler and its hot as,..... well you know in Florida, and I was a little burnt out.....
#2
Join Date: Nov 2002
Location: Burning-Ham Alabama
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These nuts cut their own threads on the plastic posts.
To remove them without breaking something, you need to pry them up with a screwdriver while turning them with a wrench.
With the right amount of force, those nuts should cut new threads in the aero grille posts.
Of course, this info is a little late for you but maybe it will help others in the future.
I still bet you had a great time playing with your MINI today even if it was a little frustrating!
To remove them without breaking something, you need to pry them up with a screwdriver while turning them with a wrench.
With the right amount of force, those nuts should cut new threads in the aero grille posts.
Of course, this info is a little late for you but maybe it will help others in the future.
I still bet you had a great time playing with your MINI today even if it was a little frustrating!
#3
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#6
#7
a few things,
(top)
1 get a buddy to help. The top bolts come off easier, one to
apply down pressure while the other holds the plyers.
2nd cover the engine bay with a blaket, towel etc so if anything
drops (which it will) it won't get lost.
(Bottom)
Go slow! Measure 3 times cut once. Again having someone
help is great. Having someone to hold the grill while cutting
is a must. Also helps to have some council.
Good luck, it's worth it.
(top)
1 get a buddy to help. The top bolts come off easier, one to
apply down pressure while the other holds the plyers.
2nd cover the engine bay with a blaket, towel etc so if anything
drops (which it will) it won't get lost.
(Bottom)
Go slow! Measure 3 times cut once. Again having someone
help is great. Having someone to hold the grill while cutting
is a must. Also helps to have some council.
Good luck, it's worth it.
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#8
Join Date: Oct 2003
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#9
#10
Originally Posted by Smokey
Also if you'll use a 10 mm nut driver with an extra normal nut or two inside the driver, this will help get the new nuts to cut their thread. The extra nuts hold the oem nut out towards the lip of the driver socket, so that it makes contact with the plastic stud.
#11
#12
if you use the right kind of dremel, you can get the bottom piece dremeled out in around 15 - 20 min. It took me and about 3 other people a couple hours to do the whole install tho, and getting the bottom piece back on the bumper isnt a treat either, we put it up against a washer and all just pushed lol
#14
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#15
Originally Posted by SSMini
Just finished up. (Im GLADE its done!!!:impatient ) I would rather do the bottom part then the top. The bottom part took some time, but was not all that bad. Getting them nuts off the top grill stressed me out more then doing the bottom..
#16
For me, the worst part has to be the removal of the remaining 3M trim tape that holds the slat on to the lower bumper.
I normally have blisters on my thumbs the size of nickels after getting that off. And yes I've tried Goof- off, Goop - off, Mineral Spirits, WD-40, Cussing, razor blades....... I've done about 4 of them and the thumb just works best
I normally have blisters on my thumbs the size of nickels after getting that off. And yes I've tried Goof- off, Goop - off, Mineral Spirits, WD-40, Cussing, razor blades....... I've done about 4 of them and the thumb just works best
#17
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#18
Originally Posted by SSMini
I did not remove anything with 3m tape on it The only part I removed from the lower bumber was a chrome trim. Did I miss something???
#20
Then there should have been a body colored slat mounted on the inside portion of the bumper.
This picture is from a guide I put together to help someone do their install on a red car, hence the painting recommendation.
You can see the DS showing through on mine, and that's where the slat is mounted. What you're looking at here is the slat support that I didn't paint black on this install. The grill has since been removed and that part painted black.
Since you've got it installed already and obvisously didn't have an issue with it, I wouldn't worry.
This picture is from a guide I put together to help someone do their install on a red car, hence the painting recommendation.
You can see the DS showing through on mine, and that's where the slat is mounted. What you're looking at here is the slat support that I didn't paint black on this install. The grill has since been removed and that part painted black.
Since you've got it installed already and obvisously didn't have an issue with it, I wouldn't worry.
#22
You should be fine. I have an issue with the instructions that everyone uses, but then again I've been told I have many issues.
If my memory is correct, the original instructions came from a individual over on MINI 2 that went by the handle DR (something?), he had a BRG S and on his instructions he noted that the entire grill slat support needed to be removed completely so that the grill piece could fit flush with the bumper.
It was batted around a bit and folks came up with "trimming the piece" to get it to fit flush. Well that works, kind of ..... On your bumper are both the top and bottom of the lower grill flush? Do you have a gap at the bottom of the lower piece?
Like this:
I just realized the picture has the same thing written on it, but a brief summation and then I'll let you go
Without removing the grill slat support - I don't believe there is a need to remove the material along the entire bottom of the grill piece. To get the top to fit flush you do need to remove that portion and then a "little" around the corner.
Sorry for the length and look forward to your pictures
If my memory is correct, the original instructions came from a individual over on MINI 2 that went by the handle DR (something?), he had a BRG S and on his instructions he noted that the entire grill slat support needed to be removed completely so that the grill piece could fit flush with the bumper.
It was batted around a bit and folks came up with "trimming the piece" to get it to fit flush. Well that works, kind of ..... On your bumper are both the top and bottom of the lower grill flush? Do you have a gap at the bottom of the lower piece?
Like this:
I just realized the picture has the same thing written on it, but a brief summation and then I'll let you go
Without removing the grill slat support - I don't believe there is a need to remove the material along the entire bottom of the grill piece. To get the top to fit flush you do need to remove that portion and then a "little" around the corner.
Sorry for the length and look forward to your pictures
#23
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Thats why I could not get my grill flush. The information I found on how to do this NEVER mentioned anything about removing the colored trim part. My grill does not sit flush, but it stickes out the same amount all the way around. I rather have it flush, but for now I'll just leave it the way it is..
#24
I'm with you there! The only reason I removed mine was to put it on another bumper cover (actually twice now) after hitting crap in the road.
First time: a rather large rodent of some sort on I-95 doing about ** at 1:30 am. Ran about $2400 for all the stuff under the car and hood.
Second time: a 24' double extension ladder laying long ways in the middle of the road. I had a semi-truck on the right and a concrete wall on the left. I straddled it, I think the fecal matter in my seat helped raise me enough to not take it through the grill. Ran $1700 for parts and install.
Enjoy
First time: a rather large rodent of some sort on I-95 doing about ** at 1:30 am. Ran about $2400 for all the stuff under the car and hood.
Second time: a 24' double extension ladder laying long ways in the middle of the road. I had a semi-truck on the right and a concrete wall on the left. I straddled it, I think the fecal matter in my seat helped raise me enough to not take it through the grill. Ran $1700 for parts and install.
Enjoy
#25
i didn't remove my lower slat. but because i didn't, i don't sit completely flush which i am okay with. instead of painting it, i used some black 3M pinstriping tape i had leftover from my chrome beltline blackout mod. worked pretty well.
also, i know it's a little late but the method of packing your socket with a few extra bolts makes removing those cheap plastic "screws" really easy!
for those that are chicken like me and don't want to remove the bumper or drill any holes, check out my thread regarding my aero grill install.
https://www.northamericanmotoring.co...ded+aero+grill
also, i know it's a little late but the method of packing your socket with a few extra bolts makes removing those cheap plastic "screws" really easy!
for those that are chicken like me and don't want to remove the bumper or drill any holes, check out my thread regarding my aero grill install.
https://www.northamericanmotoring.co...ded+aero+grill