Please help - in middle of bumper removal for CKS grill install
Thread Starter
Member
Joined: Jun 2011
Posts: 154
Likes: 4
From: NYC, NY
2022 GLS 450 w/ AMG Night (22" AMG Wheel)
Please help - in middle of bumper removal for CKS grill install
i have a 2022 GLS 450 with AMG Night package.
using Clunker's guide, i have removed the 1) bottom bumper cover 2) both side wheel liner.
in the guide, Clunker has a wheel arch trim that comes with standard GLS450 but my GLS doesnt have one. Is there anything else i need to remove, or can i move on with removing electrical component?
thanks
using Clunker's guide, i have removed the 1) bottom bumper cover 2) both side wheel liner.
in the guide, Clunker has a wheel arch trim that comes with standard GLS450 but my GLS doesnt have one. Is there anything else i need to remove, or can i move on with removing electrical component?
thanks
Junior Member
Joined: Dec 2021
Posts: 17
Likes: 1
GLS450
i have a 2022 GLS 450 with AMG Night package.
using Clunker's guide, i have removed the 1) bottom bumper cover 2) both side wheel liner.
in the guide, Clunker has a wheel arch trim that comes with standard GLS450 but my GLS doesnt have one. Is there anything else i need to remove, or can i move on with removing electrical component?
thanks
using Clunker's guide, i have removed the 1) bottom bumper cover 2) both side wheel liner.
in the guide, Clunker has a wheel arch trim that comes with standard GLS450 but my GLS doesnt have one. Is there anything else i need to remove, or can i move on with removing electrical component?
thanks
Thread Starter
Member
Joined: Jun 2011
Posts: 154
Likes: 4
From: NYC, NY
2022 GLS 450 w/ AMG Night (22" AMG Wheel)
not the amg package, just the amg night package.
So i am at the point where i can remove the bumper. (Electrical connector off, the 4 bolts under bumper is also removed. I can feel the bumper is moving however, at the fender / headlight area - i can feel there is this "Ball" type of thing on the bumper that needs to be pushed back in order to slide off the hole, which is just about half an inch.
however, i couldnt get it to slide because of everything is. is there an additional lock/clip that i need to release for this "Ball thing" to be able to push back ?
So i am at the point where i can remove the bumper. (Electrical connector off, the 4 bolts under bumper is also removed. I can feel the bumper is moving however, at the fender / headlight area - i can feel there is this "Ball" type of thing on the bumper that needs to be pushed back in order to slide off the hole, which is just about half an inch.
however, i couldnt get it to slide because of everything is. is there an additional lock/clip that i need to release for this "Ball thing" to be able to push back ?
Junior Member
Joined: Dec 2021
Posts: 17
Likes: 1
GLS450
not the amg package, just the amg night package.
So i am at the point where i can remove the bumper. (Electrical connector off, the 4 bolts under bumper is also removed. I can feel the bumper is moving however, at the fender / headlight area - i can feel there is this "Ball" type of thing on the bumper that needs to be pushed back in order to slide off the hole, which is just about half an inch.
however, i couldnt get it to slide because of everything is. is there an additional lock/clip that i need to release for this "Ball thing" to be able to push back ?
So i am at the point where i can remove the bumper. (Electrical connector off, the 4 bolts under bumper is also removed. I can feel the bumper is moving however, at the fender / headlight area - i can feel there is this "Ball" type of thing on the bumper that needs to be pushed back in order to slide off the hole, which is just about half an inch.
however, i couldnt get it to slide because of everything is. is there an additional lock/clip that i need to release for this "Ball thing" to be able to push back ?
Thread Starter
Member
Joined: Jun 2011
Posts: 154
Likes: 4
From: NYC, NY
2022 GLS 450 w/ AMG Night (22" AMG Wheel)
thank you. i learn hard way. I broke off the "Ball" in the passenger side attempting to push down. (That was tough).
i was able to get the bumper off at the end.
i made a stupid mistake - while putting back everything - i forgot to put back the foam shock absorber... i dont know how i missed it. I was partly pissed off becuase the 2 pieces of the CKS grill push pin to hold the grill broke off. and the "star" seems to be way too loose on the CKS Grill.i put in some "hot glue" to try to hold it in place.
Does anyone know how effective are those shock absorber? I did put everything back together and i just screamed "FK" when i saw the absorber at the corner at the end.
Or can the absorber be put from the bottom of the car?
i was able to get the bumper off at the end.
i made a stupid mistake - while putting back everything - i forgot to put back the foam shock absorber... i dont know how i missed it. I was partly pissed off becuase the 2 pieces of the CKS grill push pin to hold the grill broke off. and the "star" seems to be way too loose on the CKS Grill.i put in some "hot glue" to try to hold it in place.
Does anyone know how effective are those shock absorber? I did put everything back together and i just screamed "FK" when i saw the absorber at the corner at the end.
Or can the absorber be put from the bottom of the car?
Junior Member
Joined: Dec 2021
Posts: 17
Likes: 1
GLS450
thank you. i learn hard way. I broke off the "Ball" in the passenger side attempting to push down. (That was tough).
i was able to get the bumper off at the end.
i made a stupid mistake - while putting back everything - i forgot to put back the foam shock absorber... i dont know how i missed it. I was partly pissed off becuase the 2 pieces of the CKS grill push pin to hold the grill broke off. and the "star" seems to be way too loose on the CKS Grill.i put in some "hot glue" to try to hold it in place.
Does anyone know how effective are those shock absorber? I did put everything back together and i just screamed "FK" when i saw the absorber at the corner at the end.
Or can the absorber be put from the bottom of the car?
i was able to get the bumper off at the end.
i made a stupid mistake - while putting back everything - i forgot to put back the foam shock absorber... i dont know how i missed it. I was partly pissed off becuase the 2 pieces of the CKS grill push pin to hold the grill broke off. and the "star" seems to be way too loose on the CKS Grill.i put in some "hot glue" to try to hold it in place.
Does anyone know how effective are those shock absorber? I did put everything back together and i just screamed "FK" when i saw the absorber at the corner at the end.
Or can the absorber be put from the bottom of the car?
1. The camera housing is different than the original one and the camera is slightly wiggling inside it... I had to use a bit of foamy tape to secure it so it does not move at all
2. The Mercedes star does not lock into its original position as firm as you would expect. Yet, it is still going in when you rotate it and once you have completed the re-assembly process, it stays pretty secure in its place...
3. There are various pins, both on the grill and the bumper, that are somewhat fragile... need to be quite careful with them
Junior Member
Joined: Feb 2022
Posts: 54
Likes: 18
X167 GLS450 W113 280SL W463.227 300GE
The camera seated fine when I installed it into the CKS grille - the OEM was a slide in clip, the CKS was a screw mount. If not seated firmly put in some foam tape as suggested.
Note that that round star can be removed whilst the grille/bumper is still on the car despite what step 4 in the grille change guide says. In fact, step 8 in the bumper removal guide can be simplified by removing the star first and unclipping the wire behind, rather than when manhandling the bumper assembly off. (The wire connector there is actually for a heater not an antenna - my mistake.)
To remove the star from the grille from outside, you need to twist the star counter-clockwise a few degree until it clicks and then lift it out. Of course the star is smooth, so there is nothing to easily twist. The solution is either to use suction clamps, or more simply just wrap a loop of duct tape back on itself (maybe two of those) and stick that on the star to get purchase, then twist.
So if you can remove the star easily, you can reach in to seat the camera more firmly if that an issue.
As to the foam insert - it should be there for some purpose almost certainly, but not structural and probably just saves paint cracks in a parking bump. Your options to avoid re-removing the bumper may be to get it in from below (remove the underneath panel to loosen bumper bolts under there), or through the three small opening at very bottom of front, and to maneuver it to position through the opening by moving the star. It looks like the insert is about $70 to replace so you could consider cutting up your existing into pieces to try help get it in place. In position is simply snaps under soft loops.
Hope that helps.
Note that that round star can be removed whilst the grille/bumper is still on the car despite what step 4 in the grille change guide says. In fact, step 8 in the bumper removal guide can be simplified by removing the star first and unclipping the wire behind, rather than when manhandling the bumper assembly off. (The wire connector there is actually for a heater not an antenna - my mistake.)
To remove the star from the grille from outside, you need to twist the star counter-clockwise a few degree until it clicks and then lift it out. Of course the star is smooth, so there is nothing to easily twist. The solution is either to use suction clamps, or more simply just wrap a loop of duct tape back on itself (maybe two of those) and stick that on the star to get purchase, then twist.
So if you can remove the star easily, you can reach in to seat the camera more firmly if that an issue.
As to the foam insert - it should be there for some purpose almost certainly, but not structural and probably just saves paint cracks in a parking bump. Your options to avoid re-removing the bumper may be to get it in from below (remove the underneath panel to loosen bumper bolts under there), or through the three small opening at very bottom of front, and to maneuver it to position through the opening by moving the star. It looks like the insert is about $70 to replace so you could consider cutting up your existing into pieces to try help get it in place. In position is simply snaps under soft loops.
Hope that helps.
Last edited by clunker; Apr 23, 2022 at 12:28 PM.
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Joined: May 2022
Posts: 7
Likes: 0
X167 / X247
Finished mine this morning and will include a few notes:
1) Thank you, thank you, thank you Clunker for your awesome guides!!! This made it much less intimidating for a bonehead like me.
2) Already noted above - camera mount is different and allows a tiny bit of movement - I don't think this will be an issue.
3) Also discussed above - the star seems less firmly clicked in.
4) Grill does not sit flush with the hood lip, as it does in Clunker's guide pictures; it sits back an obvious bit. It still looks great, but not as awesome. I wonder if CKS changed something...
5) Those nubs on the sides with the AMG and Night Package were the most challenging part of removal for me. The are both broken now and will not likely be missed.
6) I didn't bother moving the wheel well liners since I had it on a lift and removed the wheels, but those two bolts were tricky to see. It probably saved me nothing by leaving them on.
7) Grill assembly seemed a bit less sturdy or solid than factory unit.
8) It would be nice to have some sort of mesh, or otherwise, backing to make it looks less open and potentially block entry of larger debris/projectiles. I may end up painting the radiator front black to visibly accommodate this.
All said, it was a worthy upgrade, especially given the price. Again, thank you Clunker!!
1) Thank you, thank you, thank you Clunker for your awesome guides!!! This made it much less intimidating for a bonehead like me.
2) Already noted above - camera mount is different and allows a tiny bit of movement - I don't think this will be an issue.
3) Also discussed above - the star seems less firmly clicked in.
4) Grill does not sit flush with the hood lip, as it does in Clunker's guide pictures; it sits back an obvious bit. It still looks great, but not as awesome. I wonder if CKS changed something...
5) Those nubs on the sides with the AMG and Night Package were the most challenging part of removal for me. The are both broken now and will not likely be missed.
6) I didn't bother moving the wheel well liners since I had it on a lift and removed the wheels, but those two bolts were tricky to see. It probably saved me nothing by leaving them on.
7) Grill assembly seemed a bit less sturdy or solid than factory unit.
8) It would be nice to have some sort of mesh, or otherwise, backing to make it looks less open and potentially block entry of larger debris/projectiles. I may end up painting the radiator front black to visibly accommodate this.
All said, it was a worthy upgrade, especially given the price. Again, thank you Clunker!!
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