Front Grill Removal - (How-To) - Discussion Thread

[marvins_dad]

This thread is for Discussion on the How-to titled:

Front Grill Removal - How-To<---click on title to go to link.

[SMG]

What years does this cover?

I think this needs to be clarified in each and every how-to.

SMG

[SPIRU]

Looks like it covers pre-2002?

[callisto9]

ok, i tried to take my grill off today. i have a 2001 GLS 2.0. i got the skid plate off, no problem. it should be noted that you need a #20 torx bit to get those screws off (circled in blue). next were the 3 screws under the silver part of my grill (circled in green). but how do you get those "push pins" (circled in red) off? i can't do anything with them, and i can't take the grill off without removing them.

help please! i noticed in the instructions on the original thread, there's nothing about removing the screws on the grill itself (green circles). why is that? are these instructions for 2001 new beetle? another thing: are these instructions for beetles with or without fogs? i notice the picture shows fogs, but in the instructions, there's no mention of how to remove the grill from the fogs. when i was messing around under there today, i think i found some kind of clamp or release for the fogs. i need some clarification on this. it also seems like there's no reason to take the skid plate off. it just fits (not screws) into some grooves in the grill/grill frame assembly. why does this need to be removed?

also, i tried to do this on the street without my car up on lifters or anything. it's a PITA and gave me a neck cramp and a headache! i also broke of some part and have no idea where it came from. oh well!

[callisto9]

BUMP. still looking for help on this one. anyone?

[marvins_dad]

Sorry didn't see the question when I scanned this post the other day.

The "Push Pin" type of connectors that you are refering to simply push out the other end. Use a small philips head or awl and push them all the way through. You will need to collect the pin once it is pulled off or you will have to get replacements from VW parts. They aren't a one use pop rivet - so if you can retain the pin you can re-install them once you are finished. Just put the base in and shove the pin back in and it will expand the back so that it stays in place.

Sorry for missing this question.

[callisto9]

Originally Posted by marvins_dad

The "Push Pin" type of connectors that you are refering to simply push out the other end. Use a small philips head or awl and push them all the way through. You will need to collect the pin once it is pulled off or you will have to get replacements from VW parts. They aren't a one use pop rivet - so if you can retain the pin you can re-install them once you are finished. Just put the base in and shove the pin back in and it will expand the back so that it stays in place.

Sorry for missing this question.

i couldn't find any way to push them out from the other end. do you mean the end that i am NOT seeing in the photo? how do i even get in there?

also, do you know why the skid plate needs to come off? and what years does this "how-to" cover? AND, is the how to for NBs with or without fogs? thanks.

[marvins_dad]

Looked at the how-to again -

Step 2. Remove the 3 plastick pushpin rivets from beneath the front grille assembly. (just push the center pin thru the rivet, being careful not to lose the pin)

That's where he discusses the part you are asking about.
The drawing to the right shows the pushpin rivet in profile.

[bitsbug]

I'd like to see the car after the grill is removed. Closeup please!!!

Thanks.

[marvins_dad]

Callisto9 - did you ever figure this out?

You simply push the center pin through the plastic rivet with something slightly smaller than the center pin itself...small screwdriver, awle, even a portion of a wire clothes hanger should work.

[callisto9]

Originally Posted by bitsbug

I'd like to see the car after the grill is removed. Closeup please!!!

Thanks.

i never did get it removed. i am ordering a new part soon, and if i am the one who takes it apart, i'll be sure to photograph it when it's off.

[marvins_dad]

Here is another thread that shows some good pics.

The beginning shows taking off the entire front clip.

Page 2 they explain the more the method that the How-To is based on.

http://forums.newbeetle.org/showthre...threadid=16569

[callisto9]

talked to someone at VW parts today and they said the year the lower panel and coupling changed was 2001. so, it looks like there is a difference between 98-00 and 2001 and up. although if you look at 1stvwparts.com - you can't tell the difference. the part for a 2000 and 2001 beetle says it fits 1998 - 2005, but under year, it says 98-01. can anyone clarify?

[callisto9]

Originally Posted by callisto9

talked to someone at VW parts today and they said the year the lower panel and coupling changed was 2001. so, it looks like there is a difference between 98-00 and 2001 and up. although if you look at 1stvwparts.com - you can't tell the difference. the part for a 2000 and 2001 beetle says it fits 1998 - 2005, but under year, it says 98-01. can anyone clarify?

i am quoting myself. hee hee.

i talked to someone at 1stvwparts.com and they said the change in grill design was in 2002. so it looks like 98 - 01 and 02 - 05 are the breaks in design difference.

[tribangle]

bitsbug:

[callisto9]

Originally Posted by tribangle

bitsbug:

http://forums.newbeetle.org/attachme...?postid=566479

whoa, that's way more than i want to do. nice pic though!

[Chubs763]

hi!!

i might have missed something in the thread, but why do you need to take your grill off anyway. is there some cool mod i'm missing out on?

[callisto9]

ok, i finally did it! i removed and replaced the grill! here are my notes..

my car is a 2001 beetle with fogs. i did a complete removal and replacement of the grill, lower panel and coupling. before you get started, snap the lower panel and grill together. then snap on the coupling. all parts should be secure and snug. no gaps. see picture with letter C.

picture 1: you do not need to remove #1. you will need to remove #2 and #3. #3, use a regular screw driver, #2 are the rivets you will need a metal wire coat hanger. push the center of the rivet through. i lost the center parts (all three!), so you'll probably want to buy 3 new ones. a ripoff of $1.25 each at the local VW dealership.

picture 2: you kind of just have to pull / pry the thing off. i didn't find any kind of release lever or anything. the grill is held into place by "tabs", screws and rivets. since you have the screws and rivets out, you just have to pull it off, but be careful, as the fogs are screwed into the lower panel (part that surrounds the grill). letter A shows where you will have to unscrew the fogs from the lower panel. there are two screws per fog, four total. once you have these off, nothing else should be attached.

picture 3: the place where the fogs are attached to the lower panels. there is a metal part (letter B) here that you'll need when you put the new lower panel back on. these metal parts will need to be pried off the old lower panel and it's not easy. i broke most of them, but they were still quasi-usable.

picture 4: this is where part B goes. the metal thingie. it's some kind of support / reinforcement part for the screws, i guess.

once you get to this part, you just screw the fogs back on, snap the previously assembled grill / lower panel / coupling back into the frame, screw the lower panel to the places it needs to be screw and push the rivets back in.

if anyone has any questions, please let me know! this took me about 30 - 45 mins. total and the cost with paint and parts from www.1stvwparts.com was about $200. be warned though: www.1stvwparts.com sent me the wrong grill and i had to get a new one, at twice the cost, at the VW dealership. poo!

[callisto9]

here is the grill / lower panel / coupling off the car:

[callisto9]

lower panel (top)
grill (middle)
coupling (bottom)

unpainted, before assembly.