Wife driving home from trip to sister's...Gets behind big box truck that regurgitates big chunk of ice off roof...naturally, it finds its way into the SS lower grille and busts it up. Haven't seen it yet, but hope that's the limit of the damage (intercooler).

So, need new lower grille. Hoping insurance comprehensive takes care of it, but I have found one online for $50 shipped.

My question is how difficult is it to replace it? I can tell you that installing a new grille in my SVT Lightning was a real PITA, although the SS looks less complicated from pics of the grille. But I know that even if it looks simple, these front end bumper covers can be a real can of worms.

Can the lower grille be replaced w/o tearing the whole front end off? Anyone have a exploded pic/diagram of front end assembly?

Thanks for the help.

JIM

 

Clips hold it in, it pops out from behind. Alot of guys remove it altogether, which is stupid, because it's there to protect the ic. Imagine if it was gone and said ice hit the ic. Once there is a hole in ic, the car drives like a pig, if you can keep the motor running at all.

 

Yeah, I can see the clips; looking for a PROCEDURE and DIAGRAMS.

Jim

 

Almost impossible to remove it from the outside. You have to push down on the little plastic clips as you pull the grill outword. The clips have little lock tabs on one side. Problem is the tabs are on the inside when the grill is on.
NOW, if the present grill is busted and you are going to replace it, you can do this. Cut out the center part of the busted grill leaving just the border with the tabs.(jigsaw comes to mind) This way you can get your hands back behind the grill to release the tabs. Then you can remove the rest of the grill.
Don't get me wrong, those little tabs are a pain in the *** to release. Just be careful that you don't break the plastic part it mounts to.
There is also 2 plastic brackets made onto the top part of the grill. They have holes in them for screws but I think they came from the factory without those screws. These brackets will flex to help in the R&R.
I tried to release the tabs from the outside by inserting a thin metal blade into mine. Didn't have much luck with that approach.

 

If I remember correctly, I'm pretty sure there are a couple fasteners on top of the grill as well. I put mine back in when winter rolls around. Not sure how easy it is to get to the fasteners with the bumper on.

 

Yeah, I'm familiar with the clips and tabs from replacing grille on the Lightning. HHR doesn't look half bad if I can gain access from behind.

Jim

 

That's the problem. Gaining access from behind. It's just easier to remove the whole front bumper assembly than trying to gain an access hole. I tried that way first. Even if you can get to it, its a pain to reach up in there and release those clips. Remember those clips are a real pain, even with the bumper off. Believe me, I've tried it.
Like I said about cutting the busted grill. That would be the easiest way. Next would be the front bumper removal
Just my 2 cents from experience.

 

What web site did you find the lower grille? I've been looking but can't find any

 

Now just keep in mine that your going to have to remove the front bumper, while you are in there you might think about installing Depo headlites, HID's or maybe a bigger intercoolerjust a thought

 

Lots easier if you search with the GM part#:

Part #: GM1036132 (that's a new #)

Old #: 25809884

I got mine at partsgeek.com for only $42. Did see it later for $3 cheaper, but too late to change the order. It's not a genuine GM part ($91.61 list), but as vulnerable as this item is, maybe I should have ordered 2.

As far as access, it looks like removing the underside air deflector will allow me to replace w/0 removing the whole bumper.

Jim