Removing 2015 SE Grill *&#^@#*

[LionsTooth]

Oh man, looked on Youtube...tugged, pulled, used my plastic clip tools, swore, pulled more. What is the deal? I want to dip the grill to remove the chrome look. I know I can do it on the car with a ton of masking, but I really would like to do it off the car. Any help appreciated.

Photoshopped look at the future...

 

[Handy Andy]

You'll need to get onto Ebay and those sites to see how that Grille works.

It's not like YouTube "Tear off" vids, those are EU models that they do that to..

In the US, they've got "bolts" that screw onto the front cover that go into the front fenders - that's how the grille stays on the vehicle - else others would have ripped them off a long time ago and you'd be using chicken wire to keep out the birds insects and squirrels that all get sucked up into the radiator.

You have to remove that front cover, then you'll see how they use "tab to Tang" inserts, you place the Grille in, then the chrome trim, fits over and snaps it into place on the grille. The tabs expand into the tangs, and that is how it's held in place.

So to remove that grille to even change the insert, you'd have to take apart that front "skirt or apron" yes, the entire thing, which houses the Fog lamp, lower bumper grille and Front grille. In order to gain access to those tabs

Then you have to bolt the whole mess back on.

There's a few You tube vids about how they approach the concepts of removal of that front cover, to obtain access, then reinstall - it's a little tricky and not easily done using one person.

Here's a link to the VID Is saw this on...
This Space under Development
Not saying it's not possible
He did it, just time consuming and hope that by
watching the vid, you can keep the number of errors and scratches down
​

 

[LionsTooth]

You'll need to get onto Ebay and those sites to see how that Grille works. It's not like YouTube "Tear off" vids, those are EU models that they do that to..

Got it now. No amount of pulling would remove a US grill. Looks like a job for next weekend! Thanks, Handy Andy!

 

[scotman]

It's a tremendous amount of work to remove the grill. That is also true of the lower grill on the 2011 to 2013 Fiesta. Interlocking tabs, like a giant, very rigid oversized zipper.

 

[LionsTooth]

It's a tremendous amount of work to remove the grill. That is also true of the lower grill on the 2011 to 2013 Fiesta. Interlocking tabs, like a giant, very rigid oversized zipper.

Yep, gonna mask off with five miles of tape & paper!

 

[econoboxrocks]

I gotta take the front off to install my new intercooler. Not looking forward to it.

 

[LionsTooth]

I gotta take the front off to install my new intercooler. Not looking forward to it.

Arrgghhhh!

 

[econoboxrocks]

This is about replacing the intercooler, but it shows how to take the front off.

 

[sundaynightcoffee]

I was literally trying to pull the grill off just the other day, I spent a solid 2 hours trying to pry it off like the EU fiestas....wish i would have read this post! Was trying to install one of the zetec honeycomb grills.

 

[Handy Andy]

I know...

YT has some vids that are hilarious to watch - but hey...those "brits" have been known for their humor...

 

[Jbeatty09]

You'll need to get onto Ebay and those sites to see how that Grille works.

It's not like YouTube "Tear off" vids, those are EU models that they do that to..

In the US, they've got "bolts" that screw onto the front cover that go into the front fenders - that's how the grille stays on the vehicle - else others would have ripped them off a long time ago and you'd be using chicken wire to keep out the birds insects and squirrels that all get sucked up into the radiator.

You have to remove that front cover, then you'll see how they use "tab to Tang" inserts, you place the Grille in, then the chrome trim, fits over and snaps it into place on the grille. The tabs expand into the tangs, and that is how it's held in place.

So to remove that grille to even change the insert, you'd have to take apart that front "skirt or apron" yes, the entire thing, which houses the Fog lamp, lower bumper grille and Front grille. In order to gain access to those tabs

Then you have to bolt the whole mess back on.

There's a few You tube vids about how they approach the concepts of removal of that front cover, to obtain access, then reinstall - it's a little tricky and not easily done using one person.

View attachment 4407
Here's a link to the VID Is saw this on...
This Space under Development
Not saying it's not possible
He did it, just time consuming and hope that by
watching the vid, you can keep the number of errors and scratches down
​

Will the EU style of grill pop into a domestic front end after the original is removed? I too saw the youtube video and ordered the wrong version from Ebay.

 

[Handy Andy]

Remember that 2013 Grilles were the last ones to use a "dimpled" FORD logo on the front, they then went to an Above The Grille Logo position for the latter ones and started using the slatted/slotted front grille combo - similar to the European styles.

Since the upper grille - the one above the impact bar - has both a Black support and Chrome Fascia insert, those are the slot to tab - with the Chrome insert having the tabs while the black back support uses the slots in the skirt to fit tabs on the black grille insert.

The whole Chrome and black piece can be un-tabbed from the Skirt - but to replace the front Chrome with a Focus Honeycomb requires some skill for both the Chrome and Black support each other and you may have a "wobbly" honeycomb due to how the Focus uses the exterior frame of that honeycomb to keep it rigid and the curved shape keeps the honeycomb from collapsing on itself. For the Fiesta is not the same outline form, it's smaller and not angled as like the Focus so they don't cross-fit each other without some cutting and reforming.

For the Fiesta - the front is too flat - so you may need to "thread" some of the black support crosspieces and keep them in place on the framework of the grille insert piece - to maintain a shape and contour for appearance. That way, you can add in the Honeycomb over those slats to provide the effect and covers.