B8.5 Lower Center Grille - Replacing

[therewasaboy123]

Hi all,

Is it possible to replace the lower center grille, part #11 in this pic without having to pull out the front bumper? If so, any advice or tips on doing so?


Thanks

[Dr GP]

I don't think you will be able to get access to the screws. I replaced my grille. It was not hard to do but doing it for the first time will definitely take longer since you are not familiar with the set up. And there are 2 larger bolts that are not hard to remove, Just difficult to locate.

[chaos2984]

yes from what i remember their are screws that hold that part on and you have to remove the front bumper to get to them. It only takes about 30 min to remove the front bumper its easy.

[therewasaboy123]

Thanks for the tips guys. Since I have to remove the front bumper I may just buy the rs4 grille as well :)

For future reference http://uspmotorsports.com/downloads/...structions.pdf gives a step-by-step buide on b8.5 front bumper removal. It also has pics of the lower center grille and you can see the screws attaching it to the bumper.

[chaos2984]

Yea the bumper removal is easy. I don't know if it says to remove the headlights or not. But I removed mine to make it easier. Just if you do tape up the headlight near the fender point so you don't scratch the headlight lens. I just jacked the front end up and put it on jack stands and its easy. I think this is the easiest Audi bumper I have removed. The only things you have to unplug is the fog lights and the homelink module behind the grill if you have it. Nothing was hard to get to or anything. Its all straight forward and easy.

[therewasaboy123]

Yea the bumper removal is easy. I don't know if it says to remove the headlights or not. But I removed mine to make it easier. Just if you do tape up the headlight near the fender point so you don't scratch the headlight lens. I just jacked the front end up and put it on jack stands and its easy. I think this is the easiest Audi bumper I have removed. The only things you have to unplug is the fog lights and the homelink module behind the grill if you have it. Nothing was hard to get to or anything. Its all straight forward and easy.

Thanks for the tip! When you jacked the front end up did you jack the car on the designated jack corners or on another area (perhaps a central location)?

[chichum]

I was able to remove my bumper easily without jacking it up. You don't need to reach too far under the car to get to the screws you need to remove.

[therewasaboy123]

I replaced the grille following the instructions provided by USP and ECS in regards to removing the front bumper. What I found different was I only had to remove T25 torx screws and did not have any T30s.
In order to replace the lower center grille, you will need to remove the front bumper, then move the screws holding the front (not lower) center grille. You do not have to remove the front center grille completely but will have to lift it up so that there is room to remove the lower grille which is under it.

[chichum]

It's far easier to remove your headlights to get to those bolts in the wheel wells.

[therewasaboy123]

The first time I removed the front bumper it took me about 1.5 hours. Hardest part were the wheel well bolts. When I had put everything back I noticed I did not tuck in the bottom of the front bumper under the belly pan cover so I had to go through the process of removing the bumper again. This time I only took 15 minutes to remove the front bumper. Very easy like everyone says, but only after you have seen someone do it or have done it yourself imo!

[EagleTime]

Thanks for the write up. I am going to remove part 11 as well so I can install my Show n Go plate.