eddieo45

My old one was cracked from a parking lot bump years ago; the plastic piece with the part number broke off. But recently a big rock kicked back from a car in front of me took the whole thing out (saved my radiator though). I bought a nice used one on eBay, and there is only one screw hole, but the part behind it that must accept the screw is not there; the rock impact likely broke that it's still on the highway. Must I replace that part (if so, anyone know part #?) or will the mesh stay in place without the screw?

Rudeney

It's been a while, but I had my front bumper entirely disassembled. I don't remember any screws in the lower grille. I thought it was all snap-in. But like I said, its been a while, so I could be wrong!

Fatz

There are no screws holding the mesh in place. There are 6 (I think) plastic clips attached to the bumper. 3 top and 3 bottom. Around the mesh is a metal rod. This pushes into the plastic clips. To remove, you can use a small hook to pull gently on the mesh and use a small pointed tool (or small screwdriver) to slightly open the clips one at a time while pulling the mesh near the clip. To install, align the clips to accept the mesh border/rod - insert the temp sensor on the passenger side into the hole in the mesh for it - align the mesh and push it into the clips......

eddieo45

THAT must be the hole I'm looking at! Thanks!

eddieo45

I've got two clips on the bottom and one on the top at one side; the rest appear to have been broken off, although there are two slots at the top center that look like maybe new clips could be inserted there....

Fatz

Yep. From the pic, that is the hole for the temp sensor.
I've never had to order the clips, and may have one broken off. Even with just 3, it is unlikely that it would fall out.

Kustom1911

The grill clips are MB part # 002-988-51-81, RMeuropean used to have them a few years ago, when I bought them in 2014 they were 89 cents each. hope this helps

degeja

The earlier post is more corretc-- no need to remove bumper cover-
depress the little lach on remaing clips to pull put the grille-
use punch, screwdriver etc to knock out remnants of the plastic clips;
install new clips;
snap in the grille by pushinh in on the grille at each clip