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seems like labor cost is getting super high for body shops
the best quote I managed to get for replacing the grille was $800.... so, I have decided to give it a shot and DIY it.
any tips or pointers to tricky parts during the removal of the front bumper? these are the steps I followed so far:
1. Removed the top screws under the hood
2. Turning the front wheels, I got access to the pins inside the wheel house and removed them
3. Removed the bottom screws
I think that I am now ready to disconnect all of the wires and remove the bumper... anything I left out during the steps I took... ?
i would also appreciate if you have some write up on disassemble the bumper so other folks can attempt to diy it.
I completed this change and like the results very much. I have posted the steps I took to remove the bumper, and then the grille in new threads. Thanks for the pics and advice given in this thread.
Can I change the GLS 450 grill to the pana grill if my car has the driving assistance package plus? I heard some of the sensors are in the grill/star.
@Forsaken712 - yes you can, mine has the full driver assistance package. The main sensors remain untouched on the vehicle, the two side radar pods remain on the bumper assembly untouched other than being unplugged.
I had posted the steps to change the grille in detail at the below links, but I was mistaken in labeling the star panel on the grille as an 'antenna' - it is not, it is simply a heating/defrost element to keep it clear for the radar unit that is on the car behind it (again, untouched). RJ Automotive helpfully pointed this out and that the star can be removed via a trick with tape to twist off the star as a first step ("use two pieces of duct tape and pull in opposite directions to rotate the startanti clockwise.") This should be done as part of step 6 of the bumper removal guide, and obviates step 8 - much easier!
@clunker good to know! Thanks a lot for sharing this insight.
I'm still waiting on my 2023 pre-order (placed in May, supposed to arrive in October, now delayed until Jan) but once I get it, I will see if I can find a mechanic that can do the work for me.
You must remove the front bumper cover to change the grille. It is tricky if you have never done it before. I was not able to find instructions. After I found it could be installed for $300CAN or approx. $240US by a body shop and totally worth it.
Hello I am from Toronto ON. You know some one who can change grille here?
Sorry I do not know installer in Toronto but try to find a body shop that does Mercedes. I purchased my grille off ebay.
BTW you asked for no emails in your MBForum profile so I could not email you back
Fixed, welcome to email me!
- if you don't mind sharing vendor you got yours from and if the group can guide me if there is a certain type of grill we need order or just 2021 GLS 450 grille will be just fine, I can place an order online and try to find a body shop here. if anyone has recommendations do let me know please not a DIY car guy
Last edited by Prashar; Jan 10, 2023 at 11:55 AM.
Reason: change content
i am looking to buy the grill from ebay (seems cheaper) and it comes with 2 pieces. The Grill and some back support.
During your installation - did you really have the make use of the new "back support"? I think the one from CKS only comes with the grill and expects you to re-use your existing back support.
see picture below.
I bought the above grill and it did not fit my camera hole. I have a 2023 GLS 450. Here is a pic of the difference in size below :
Can you please take a very close up picture of the front camera hole on this grill you can buy from CKS? The last one I purchased did not work due to the camera hole being a different size-shape.
mkivowner, the whole body kit including the AMG style front bumper, rear bumper and diffuser along with the parts to hang them to the body was sourced from a MB parts dealer here in India but there are plenty of them available on EBay and AliExpress. The grille was part of this kit.
Last edited by grebe925; Apr 15, 2024 at 11:49 PM.
mkivowner, the whole body kit including the AMG style front bumper, rear bumper and diffuser along with the parts to hang them to the body was sourced from a MB parts dealer here in India but there are plenty of them available on EBay and AliExpress. The grille was part of this kit.
Radar not functioning after upgrading to Pan Americana Grill
Folks;
Can anyone faced issue of Radar showing error as - Radar Sensors dirty after I upgraded GLS 400d grill to Pan America style. Mechanic couldn’t sort it.
Please advise have anyone faced the issue same like me.
And how can I fix it?
Whenever bumper is removed or replaced, there is the possibility that the sensors behind it are thrown out of calibration (or worse). Had some light scratches on the front bumper of my C300 fixed at a friend's body shop. The sensors were fine before going there but when they put the bumper back, it started showing the similar errors that sensors were dirty, function unavailable, etc. They couldn't fix it so I took it back to the dealership. They claimed that they tried to recalibrate the sensors with no luck so they ended up replacing the radar/sensors behind the bumper and only then the errors went away. I am still unsure how a simple act of removing and replacing a bumper could have caused all this - maybe the sensors got damaged during the work but anyways, having gone through this, I would be very cautious touching those bumpers.
Folks;
Can anyone faced issue of Radar showing error as - Radar Sensors dirty after I upgraded GLS 400d grill to Pan America style. Mechanic couldn’t sort it.
Please advise have anyone faced the issue same like me.
And how can I fix it?
Sensor is behind the star.
You used the original star that came with the car?
It is easy to install the sensor backwards behind the star. That was was the case with my GLS. I got an error message but do not recall what it said. I flipped it around and it worked 100%.
Mercedes SLR McLaren 722 S Is Extremely Rare Example Modified by McLaren
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