CLK Grill Installation Instructions

CLK Grill Installation Instructions

Tools needed: socket drive, 8mm socket, 7/16” (may change depending on size of screws you use – read on for details) socket, medium to large blade (flat head) screwdriver.
Parts needed: new grill, 4 round head, slotted zinc machine screws (size 1/4” – 20 X 1/2"), nuts, and washers. The screws and nuts will typically come in a package and can be found at most home improvement centers. Crown Bolt is a popular brand of screws.

Open the hood, and remove the factory grill as follows: there are 4 screws at the top and 2 screws at the bottom of the grill. The screws are attached to clips. Carefully remove the screws and the clips. You will need 2 screws and 2 clips to install the new grill. Picture below shows the location of the screws to be removed.

Picture below shows what the hood looks like without the grill from underneath. The two items framed in red are engine compartment seals that are held on by the 4 top screws from the grill. You need to let these hang down as you see but do not remove them.

The following is a shot of the front with the old grill off. The new grill will use 4 holes now available (these are the four holes for the top screws that held the old grill). The new screws are used for the holes outlined in red in the photo below.

Take 2 of the clips that were removed from the factory grill and clip them to the holes of the new grill at the 2 hole sites at the bottom of the new grill.

Get the 4 machine screws, nuts and washers that you will use to install the new grille, ready. Take each screw and insert it, threads down, into the 4 holes at the top of the grill. This can be tricky, but is easy if you are careful. Once the screws are hanging down, test fit the new grill into the grill hole opening.

Carefully lower the new grill so that the holes at the top are aligned with the holes in the sheetmetal. Lower one side down and feed the screw through, slide the washer over it and start the nut on the screw. Do the same with the next three screws. Don’t tighten the nuts yet.
! IMPORTANT NOTE ! : make sure that the hood pull latch goes through the hole in the big star in the new grill. If you do not pull the latch through, you will not be able to open the hood later AND you will damage the grill.

Get the 2 factory screws that you set aside ready to install the remainder of the grill.

Once the top of the grill is initially secured, align the holes at the bottom of the grill. You may have to push the grill toward the car to force the holes to align.

Once the holes are aligned, start the screws by hand or with a screwdriver socket to thread them into the clips.

Check the grill for alignment in the grill hole. You should have an equal amount of gap at the top and the sides of the grill. Once you have confirmed that the gap is correct, tighten all of the screws carefully, checking the gap periodically until the screws are hand tightened.
! IMPORTANT NOTE ! : make sure that the hood pull latch goes through the hole in the big star in the new grill. If you do not pull the latch through, you will not be able to open the hood later AND you will damage the grill.

Ensure that all of your tools are removed from the engine bay and close the hood.