When you click on links to various merchants on this site and make a purchase, this can result in this site earning a commission. Affiliate programs and affiliations include, but are not limited to, the eBay Partner Network.
SL55 How to remove rear metal mesh from rear bumper to install diffuser
If anyone can please help.
I would like to remove the rear metal mesh from my 04 SL55 AMG to install a CF diffuser.
I thought that it would be held on with plastic clips as the front 3 metal mesh bumper grills are, but it is not.
I do not want to damage the piece so that I can to go back to being original if I do not like the diffuser.
Any help would be greatly appreciated.
Thank You
Last edited by EHiser; Jan 12, 2021 at 05:48 PM.
Reason: Spelling error.
Porsche guy who drives SL63 w/ perf pkg AND perf suspension
Just as a starting point. I dont have the car here. But as I remember all the metal grills on these cars are held by several plastic brackets all around he opening. you can see them. The round frame of the grill pops into the round plastic clip. You push them out, and you buy many new ones.
okbarnett, thank you for your reply.
I thought that it was as well, held on my plastic brackets as the front grills are.
But after my inspection, the rear metal grill does not appear to be attached as the front are.
I have removed the front three metal grills as I have had the front bumper cover off of the car to install a CF lip.
And yes the front are held in place by small plastic clips.
True, I had to replace all the plastic clips in the front as all but one broke.
Figured out how to remove the mesh grill from the rear bumper of my 2004 SL55 AMG.
First I raised the SL off the ground using jacks and put in on four ramps, one under each tire ( I have extra wide ramps so my 295 tires would fit ), keeping the jacks in place for safety.
With room to work now, I then removed the rear splash panel from under the car which is attached to the rear bumper and bottom of the car, 4 torx screws, 6 - 10mm nuts and a Dorman interior trim panel fastener ( go figure ).
Then you must pry off 12 washer type fittings ( I used a very very small blade common screw driver ), one from each stud of the grill panel from the back side of the bumper ( see image showing two studs outlined by red circles ). These can not be saved as they will get messed up upon removal.
Then you can remove the mesh grill, it will still take some gentle prying with a trim removal tool to get the studs through their openings in the bumper, take your time as it is easy to bend the grill and its frame.
I then dropped the exhaust including mufflers from the rear couplers ( just behind the secondary cats ), there is a cross brace which must be removed in order to separate the two half's of the exhaust in order to remove.
I had to perform an extensive amount of modification to the diffuser ( cutting, grinding, filing, and sanding ) as I did not want to modify or cut my rear bumper, so I can put it back to a factory look if desired.
It took a lot of time to get the diffuser to fit flush with the bumper and look factory.
The diffuser is attached with stainless steel bolts, washers and nylon insert lock nuts.
I was able to utilize the exhaust tips and under side curves of the diffuser and bumper to hide all attachment points.
The wife really likes the look and wants one for her 2004 SL500.
Mercedes SLR McLaren 722 S Is Extremely Rare Example Modified by McLaren
Slideshow: A one-of-one U.S.-spec Mercedes-Benz SLR McLaren Roadster became even rarer after a factory-backed transformation at McLaren's headquarters.
