Audi A4 B8 Bumper Removal / Grille Replacement Guide

**Scottish_A4** · 02-16-2014 04:48 AM

Hi All,

I fitted my new RS4 type Grille yesterday which involved me having to remove the front bumper and the original grille. I could not find any guides online relating to the B8 and the only similar one was for an A5 which has a slightly different bumper and was not a comprehensive guide. Therefore I decided to write-up my own guide with photos for each stage. Please excuse the quality of the photos as they were taken on an iPhone.

I purchased the grille from seller tcboverstock (based in California) on eBay:
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Audi-A4-S4...item4d1890eda4

The car involved was a 2009 S line (UK Right Hand drive model) and I cannot confirm if the SE bumper of the facelift model are the same.

**ANY PERSONS FOLLOWING THIS GUIDE DO SO AT THEIR OWN RISK AND I TAKE NO RESPONSIBILITY FOR ANY DAMAGE ETC. CAUSED**

The time taken to carry out this task, was around 1.5 hours, but by following this guide it may be possible to do it quicker. I am not a mechanic and the guide is written as step-by-step guide for all abilities.

Tools needed are as follows: (these can be purchased from a local automotive store)
1x Torx t27, 1x Torx t26, 1x 3/8" Ratchet, 1x 3/8" 10" Extension Bar, 1x 3/8" 10mm socket, 1 x small torch (not essential), 1x small screwdriver, and some protective matting in front of the bumper.

STEP 1: After opening the bonnet, remove the 4 bolts on the Airflow panel indicated below, using a t26.

STEP 2: Locate the 3 plastic bolts indicated below.

Push down on these plastic bolts.

STEP 3: Remove the Airflow panel by pulling towards the engine bay and lifting upwards.

The engine bay will now look like this once the Airflow panel has been removed.

STEP 4: On the drivers side, turn the wheel inwards and locate the two bolts on the front edge of the wheel arch, as indicated below.

Remove these 2 bolts using a t27.

STEP 5: Peel back the wheel arch liner and locate the bolt, indicated below, that is located just below the headlight. (Note: A small torch might be useful in locating this bolt)

Remove this bolt using the Ratchet with the attached Extension Bar and 10mm socket.

STEP 6: There are 5 bolts located below the bumper. Remove these using a t26. (Note: There is a bolt located on the far edges of each side of the bumper, that is indicated on the left of the photo below. These bolts are different to the other 3 bolts so make sure you don't mix these up.)

STEP 7: On the passengers side, turn the wheel inwards and locate the two bolts on the front edge of the wheel arch (the same as what was carried out on the drivers side. Remove both of these blots using a t27.

STEP 8: Peel back the wheel arch liner.

Locate the bolt, as indicated below, that is located just below the headlight. (Note: A small torch might be useful is located this bolt)

Remove this bolt using the Ratchet with the attached Extension Bar and 10mm socket.

STEP 9: Locate the two bolts on the top of the bumper, as indicated below.

Remove these bolts using a t26.

Use a screwdriver, lift the flange located underneath each of the two bolts. (Note: Be careful not to damage the paint of the bumper when using the screwdriver)

STEP 10: Remove the Fog Light surrounds on either side by giving them a good pull outwards. (Note: This is not mandatory but I found it helpful for the next step)

STEP 11: ENSURE THAT THE IGNITION IS OFF AT THIS STAGE TO PREVENT POSSIBLE FAULT CODES FLAGGING UP!
Remove the bumper from the car by gently wiggling and pulling on all sides, foglight hole, and from top and bottom. (Note: this is where step 10 proves useful). Make sure that protective matting is in place in front of the bumper in case the bumper is dropped etc. Be aware that the bumper will still be attached to the car at this stage, via wires.

STEP 12: Once the bumper is free, the airtemp sensor will then need to be removed from the bumper by gently pulling it free.

STEP 13: Unplug the foglights by using a screwdriver to unclip the socket.

The bumper will now be fully free from the rest of the car at this stage.

STEP 14: Place the bumper face down on the protective matting and locate the 12 bolts indicated below.

Remove these bolts using a t26. The bottom bracket indicated below can be removed once the 6 bolts holding it in have been taken out. This bracket has to be added to the replacement grille.

STEP 15: Unclip the 4 clips, 2 on either side of the top of the grille, using a screwdriver.

STEP 16: Unclip the 4 clips, 2 on either side of the grille, using a screwdriver.

**Scottish_A4** · 02-16-2014 04:49 AM

STEP 17: Locate the 5 clips, 4 of which are indicated below.

Unclip these clips by gently pushing down with a small screw driver.

The grille will now become free from the bumper.

STEP 18: Turn the grille over and locate the 10 clips on the back of the Audi logo.

Unclip these clips by pushing the black clips attached to the grille, away from the chrome part of the Audi logo, using a small screwdriver.

Once these clips have been unclipped, the Audi logo will now be free from the grille. This can be easily attached to the emblem holder of the new grille.

Reverse these steps to attach the grille to the bumper and the bumper back onto the car.

THE FINISHED PRODUCT:

**ed@mtl** · 02-16-2014 05:03 AM

Great write up!

**AndyA6** · 02-16-2014 05:55 AM

Thanks!

**name.goes.here** · 02-16-2014 06:54 AM

Originally Posted by ed@mtl

Great write up!

+1 probably the best one I've seen yet for grille replacement. Well done.

**Benan** · 02-16-2014 08:23 AM

Thank you so much!!

**andyzaharia** · 02-16-2014 09:01 AM

Thank you !

**Limey** · 02-16-2014 09:52 AM

There is no need at all to pull the fog light grilles off. Once you pull the bumper off just unclip from the foglights. Save your self the extra step

Later Gents

**billyhelmsorig** · 02-16-2014 09:59 AM

saving this to my favorites so I can use it when I get a new grille

**Campblett** · 02-16-2014 10:05 AM

Originally Posted by Limey

There is no need at all to pull the fog light grilles off. Once you pull the bumper off just unclip from the foglights. Save your self the extra step

Later Gents

+1 Don't risk breaking/not being able to put back the fog covers, just disconnect the wires for the fogs when you pull the bumper off, saves a step.

Otherwise, great DIY, I'm sure many people will find this very useful.

Also, I believe that non s-line bumpers do not have that bracket in step 14 (picture 2) for anyone confused who has a non s-line.

**Scottish_A4** · 02-16-2014 11:59 AM

Thanks for the kind remarks all!
Like I said, you don't need to take the fog light surrounds off but as my bumper was stuck quite solid after I removed all the bolts, I found it easier to wiggle it free by way of the fog light holes. The surrounds just pull off easily and you wont damage them as they are quite solid.

**ryan_m** · 02-16-2014 02:36 PM

Great detailed write-up! I'll put this in the saved items folder in case I ever go with a honeycomb grille.

Well done

!

**ThatOneOrange** · 02-16-2014 03:50 PM

Where can I buy the grill that will fit the B8.5 A4

**eirebob** · 02-16-2014 05:04 PM

Terrific write-up. Thanks very much, and where in Scotland are you located?

**rahip4567** · 02-16-2014 07:16 PM

Don't have the grill yet but thanks for this :)

**SDF1** · 02-16-2014 08:51 PM

AWESOME!!

**Scottish_A4** · 02-17-2014 03:09 AM

Originally Posted by eirebob

Terrific write-up. Thanks very much, and where in Scotland are you located?

Thanks mate! I'm up in the Highlands.

**m73m95** · 02-17-2014 08:16 AM

5 stars...this is excellent.

We need more of this on this forum.

**j.r** · 02-17-2014 03:24 PM

Hi, Really good post. I also have a Misano Red S-line and I have been thinking about fitting an RS grill for a while. I have had a look at the ebay link you posted and even with shipping (i'm in southern Ireland) it is good value. Just one question though, on the title description on ebay it is a gloss black grill, but in the description in the ad it says "ABS plastic in a matte black finish, Which is it? It is even hard to make out in the last two photos you posted, the last photo looks like it is a matte finish and the one before it looks as if it is a gloss finish. Could you let me know which it is and even post up a few more photos if possible?
Thanks James

**Scottish_A4** · 02-18-2014 04:04 PM

Originally Posted by j.r

Hi, Really good post. I also have a Misano Red S-line and I have been thinking about fitting an RS grill for a while. I have had a look at the ebay link you posted and even with shipping (i'm in southern Ireland) it is good value. Just one question though, on the title description on ebay it is a gloss black grill, but in the description in the ad it says "ABS plastic in a matte black finish, Which is it? It is even hard to make out in the last two photos you posted, the last photo looks like it is a matte finish and the one before it looks as if it is a gloss finish. Could you let me know which it is and even post up a few more photos if possible?
Thanks James

Hi James. The grille is gloss black. The description on eBay is a typo by the seller. I checked with him before I ordered mine. Most of these grilles seem to be un-painted on eBay but I think the gloss black suits a misano red car very well!

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**A4 Centaur** · 02-18-2014 04:54 PM

Great work! Thanks much!

**j.r** · 02-19-2014 12:48 PM

Thanks ordered, order mine just there.

**Scottish_A4** · 02-26-2014 05:15 PM

Originally Posted by j.r

Thanks ordered, order mine just there.

Cool. I hope the guide proves helpful when you fit your grille. Post some pics up when you do!

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**StealthBlackA4** · 02-26-2014 05:19 PM

We should make this a sticky!!

**mrpeterparker** · 02-27-2014 09:21 AM

Did you end up drilling and mounting a license plate on?

Or does that bracket have mounting point for a .us license plate already?

**Scottish_A4** · 02-27-2014 03:07 PM

Originally Posted by mrpeterparker

Did you end up drilling and mounting a license plate on?

Or does that bracket have mounting point for a .us license plate already?

It has a built in Euro plate holder. I stuck my license plate on with plate tape.

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**Hansen** · 04-02-2014 04:58 AM

I used this write-up to install my RS grill yesterday. Great write-up. Took me a bit longer because I plasti-dipped the impact/crash bar behind the grill but still a short and satisfying install. Great work.

**Scottish_A4** · 04-03-2014 04:28 PM

Originally Posted by Hansen

I used this write-up to install my RS grill yesterday. Great write-up. Took me a bit longer because I plasti-dipped the impact/crash bar behind the grill but still a short and satisfying install. Great work.

Glad you found it useful mate!

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**SleeperCar** · 04-03-2014 08:11 PM

Good write up but ecstuning has a downloadable PDF that is perfect for grill install, it's what I used....

**jay508** · 04-04-2014 07:55 AM

Excellent write up. I just used this yesterday to install my RS4 grille.

Thank you!

**Hod Lipson** · 04-04-2014 07:59 AM

Originally Posted by Hansen

I used this write-up to install my RS grill yesterday. Great write-up. Took me a bit longer because I plasti-dipped the impact/crash bar behind the grill but still a short and satisfying install. Great work.

+1 Excellent write up. Funny; I also used it this past weekend to install mine, and I plastidipped the crash bar as well

**Scottish_A4** · 04-04-2014 08:22 AM

Originally Posted by Hod Lipson

+1 Excellent write up. Funny; I also used it this past weekend to install mine, and I plastidipped the crash bar as well

Thanks buddy! Your car looks great in white with the gloss grill!

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**Hansen** · 04-04-2014 09:42 AM

Originally Posted by Hod Lipson

+1 Excellent write up. Funny; I also used it this past weekend to install mine, and I plastidipped the crash bar as well

I would post up a picture of my car but you wouldn't be able to tell the difference. Looks great man!

**Scottish_A4** · 08-30-2014 03:23 PM

Has anybody found some mesh fog light surrounds to go with the grille?

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**illh22a** · 08-30-2014 08:26 PM

I bought a pair for my b8.5 off ebay, fit great, easy install. I'm sure they make for b8 as well.

I broke a clip on the audi logo black housing during the install, now the bottom half of the logo does not sit flush. Any ideas how I can get it flush...I tried 3m tape...no luck.

**bartlettismyname** · 09-02-2014 10:53 AM

This is a great writeup, done nothing but try and maintain my A4 and I've been longing to change out the grille!
Might just be my first change thanks to how straightforward you've made this!