Removing Grille and clips

[citymunky]

Is there a trick or something? I just don't get it, no matter what I try I always break a tab or clip when removing a Galant grille from the car. Remove the retainer clips from grill is also a pain in the ass. I been using long needle nose pliers

, what I'm doing wrong?

 

[GVR4kauai]

I used a long skinny flat head when removing mine for the first time, worked great didn't break anything.

 

[veganbutcher]

I found one of those in my engine bay when I bought the car, it's come in handy.

 

[veganbutcher]

And I'm with 1633 on this one, flathead does the trick.

 

[mr.mitsu]

I use a similar needle nose pliers like in the OP.

However, mine are bent at the end and curved for removing vaccum hoses.

 

[89Mirageman]

Look at the grill from the front and locate the clips. Take a long flat head screwdriver as mentioned and push down on the tabs while pulling on the grill a little. Work from one side of the grill to the other.

 

[383mazda]

Anyone having trouble installing them back in?

I ordered new clips off the internet and they wouldn't seat in the grill, so I had to trim a tiny bit from each "anchor" on the clip - got each of them to snap into the grill perfectly, but now they won't snap into the core support??

 

[FlyingEagle]

If things are straight where the tabs hold the grille in place, then finger pressure should be all you need to manipulate the tab to the side, and like the others said, work from one side to the other, going top to bottom.

I used to use pliers and stuff and then realized I broken most of the retainers. Now I stock up on spares just in case. Someday it will become that "NLA" item we all dread seeing.

 

[383mazda]

I'm still having no luck with these "aftermarket" clips. They look like the stock ones but someone obviously got the mold wrong. Got them from clipsandfasteners.com or somewhere. They'll clip into the core support, but then you can tug them right back out, they don't hold at all.

Guess i have to source some OEM ones...

 

[Mr_Fielgood]

In my experience some clips work and some don't. I just kept trying different clips until all of them locked into place. I had a whole bunch to choose from at my job so it was convenient.

 

[iceman69510]

Quoting 383mazda:
I'm still having no luck with these "aftermarket" clips. They look like the stock ones but someone obviously got the mold wrong. Got them from clipsandfasteners.com or somewhere. They'll clip into the core support, but then you can tug them right back out, they don't hold at all.

Guess i have to source some OEM ones...



I can look this weekend. I may have some of these.