W209 grille install DIY
#1
Junior Member
Thread Starter
W209 grille install DIY
Swapped OEM grille for a single fin design on my 2005 CLK55. This was pretty easy IMHO, and may not warrant a write-up, but at least it shows anyone considering this swap what they are in for. Grille was purchased off ebay from a Hong Kong retailer. I took care to select one that had the top arching over the star, to avoid 'the gap'.
My molehill of goodies:![Roll Eyes (Sarcastic)](https://mbworld.org/forums/images/smilies/rolleyes.gif)
![](https://mbworld.org/forums/members/pedcat-albums-w209-grille-install-diy-picture28846-w209-grille-install-1.jpg)
Original grille has a support bracket on top, this goes away
![](https://mbworld.org/forums/members/pedcat-albums-w209-grille-install-diy-picture28845-w209-grille-install-2.jpg)
One pin on each side of the grille pops out of a hole on the fender
![](https://mbworld.org/forums/members/pedcat-albums-w209-grille-install-diy-picture28844-w209-grille-install-3.jpg)
I popped out the driver's side first, grille eases back toward the engine
![](https://mbworld.org/forums/members/pedcat-albums-w209-grille-install-diy-picture28843-w209-grille-install-4.jpg)
Left side popped out much easier with the right side out
![](https://mbworld.org/forums/members/pedcat-albums-w209-grille-install-diy-picture28842-w209-grille-install-5.jpg)
Side by side, note the upper support on the original
![](https://mbworld.org/forums/members/pedcat-albums-w209-grille-install-diy-picture28841-w209-grille-install-6.jpg)
From the back, nowhere to reuse the upper support
![](https://mbworld.org/forums/members/pedcat-albums-w209-grille-install-diy-picture28840-w209-grille-install-7.jpg)
A little cleanup around the slots in the bumper was needed!
![](https://mbworld.org/forums/members/pedcat-albums-w209-grille-install-diy-picture28839-w209-grille-install-8.jpg)
New grille was installed by reversing the removal process - line up lower tabs, then left pin first
![](https://mbworld.org/forums/members/pedcat-albums-w209-grille-install-diy-picture28838-w209-grille-install-9.jpg)
Right pin took a little coercing - go easy!
![](https://mbworld.org/forums/members/pedcat-albums-w209-grille-install-diy-picture28837-w209-grille-install-10.jpg)
Snapped in place, closed the hood, good to go!
![](https://mbworld.org/forums/members/pedcat-albums-w209-grille-install-diy-picture28836-w209-grille-install-11.jpg)
No gap!
![](https://mbworld.org/forums/members/pedcat-albums-w209-grille-install-diy-picture28835-w209-grille-install-12.jpg)
My molehill of goodies:
![Roll Eyes (Sarcastic)](https://mbworld.org/forums/images/smilies/rolleyes.gif)
![](https://mbworld.org/forums/members/pedcat-albums-w209-grille-install-diy-picture28846-w209-grille-install-1.jpg)
Original grille has a support bracket on top, this goes away
![](https://mbworld.org/forums/members/pedcat-albums-w209-grille-install-diy-picture28845-w209-grille-install-2.jpg)
One pin on each side of the grille pops out of a hole on the fender
![](https://mbworld.org/forums/members/pedcat-albums-w209-grille-install-diy-picture28844-w209-grille-install-3.jpg)
I popped out the driver's side first, grille eases back toward the engine
![](https://mbworld.org/forums/members/pedcat-albums-w209-grille-install-diy-picture28843-w209-grille-install-4.jpg)
Left side popped out much easier with the right side out
![](https://mbworld.org/forums/members/pedcat-albums-w209-grille-install-diy-picture28842-w209-grille-install-5.jpg)
Side by side, note the upper support on the original
![](https://mbworld.org/forums/members/pedcat-albums-w209-grille-install-diy-picture28841-w209-grille-install-6.jpg)
From the back, nowhere to reuse the upper support
![](https://mbworld.org/forums/members/pedcat-albums-w209-grille-install-diy-picture28840-w209-grille-install-7.jpg)
A little cleanup around the slots in the bumper was needed!
![](https://mbworld.org/forums/members/pedcat-albums-w209-grille-install-diy-picture28839-w209-grille-install-8.jpg)
New grille was installed by reversing the removal process - line up lower tabs, then left pin first
![](https://mbworld.org/forums/members/pedcat-albums-w209-grille-install-diy-picture28838-w209-grille-install-9.jpg)
Right pin took a little coercing - go easy!
![](https://mbworld.org/forums/members/pedcat-albums-w209-grille-install-diy-picture28837-w209-grille-install-10.jpg)
Snapped in place, closed the hood, good to go!
![](https://mbworld.org/forums/members/pedcat-albums-w209-grille-install-diy-picture28836-w209-grille-install-11.jpg)
No gap!
![](https://mbworld.org/forums/members/pedcat-albums-w209-grille-install-diy-picture28835-w209-grille-install-12.jpg)
![](https://mbworld.org/forums/members/pedcat-albums-w209-grille-install-diy-picture28834-w209-grille-install-13.jpg)
#2
MBWorld Fanatic!
Join Date: Jul 2010
Location: A Canadian in Dubai, United Arab Emirates
Posts: 4,748
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
'05 C200K SS, '05 Kleemann CLK500K, '08 Hummer H3 & '92 Z34 5sp (track car in Canada)
Looks good dude, I wish that grill was available without the "distronic" though. Does it feel flimsy without the upper support?