MINI2

hoojkel · Sep 4th, 2007, 09:52 AM

Hi folks,
Just got a replacement grill for my jcw 's' but I am concerned about removing the self-tapping nuts as I have noticed a few people on here who have had them sheer on them when replacing the upper grill. Can anyone give me some advice on how best to remove them without sheering and are replacements easily available if they do sheer???
Cheers!!!

mark-o · Sep 4th, 2007, 01:20 PM

The nuts are simply threaded onto plastic posts. If you sheer the post there's nothing to replace so try not to. Honestly I'm not sure how you would sheer them but I'm sure someone has done it.
Before you start put a sheet over the engine bay so when you drop one of those suckers you don't lose it forever!

To get them off, find the right socket, a nut driver works best and jam a small flat screw driver up under the nut. Keep mild (upward?) pressure on the nut so that it comes off while you turn it. Otherwise it will simply turn on the post and wear a groove in the plastic.

Will you be changing the bottom grill too?

-Mark

hoojkel · Sep 4th, 2007, 01:31 PM

Cheers Mark-o, I know looking at other posts that removing the bottom grill needs the bumper removed so I think i'll leave that to a friend who's a mechanic as I don't think it seems straight forward, or is it??

mark-o · Sep 4th, 2007, 04:27 PM

I am assuming you don't have the R56...

It's not too bad and doesn't require a mechanic... As long as you're installing the same grill or one that fits without modding the bumper a moderately handy person should be able to do it in an hour or two. Having done it before I could be in and out in about 30-40 minutes.

I'd suggest doing the work on a soft surface (E.g. a soft rug or blanket so it doesn't scrape on the garage floor)
Some threads mention jacking the car up and even removing the front wheels but it isn't necessary. Use a long ratchet extension when working in the fenderwells and there's lots of room without having to lift the car.
The fog lights twist out and the sensor behind the lower grill pops out easily.
Just take car not to tug on the wires and you should be fine.

-Mark

hoojkel · Sep 5th, 2007, 07:02 AM

Yeah from what I gathered you had to jack it up to get at the screws from underneath but as you say it can be done ok without. There is no need to mod the new one as it is a straight replacement so hopefully it shouldn't be too bad. i'll give it a try and post the results back, thanks again!!

Sep 4th, 2007, 09:52 AM	#1
hoojkel MINI2 Senior Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Belfast Local Time: 10:43 AM Posts: 358 Offline	Need help in replacing grill. Hi folks, Just got a replacement grill for my jcw 's' but I am concerned about removing the self-tapping nuts as I have noticed a few people on here who have had them sheer on them when replacing the upper grill. Can anyone give me some advice on how best to remove them without sheering and are replacements easily available if they do sheer??? Cheers!!!

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Sep 4th, 2007, 01:20 PM	#2 (permalink)
mark-o MINI2 4 ME Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Calgary, AB Local Time: 02:43 AM Posts: 295 Offline	The nuts are simply threaded onto plastic posts. If you sheer the post there's nothing to replace so try not to. Honestly I'm not sure how you would sheer them but I'm sure someone has done it. Before you start put a sheet over the engine bay so when you drop one of those suckers you don't lose it forever! To get them off, find the right socket, a nut driver works best and jam a small flat screw driver up under the nut. Keep mild (upward?) pressure on the nut so that it comes off while you turn it. Otherwise it will simply turn on the post and wear a groove in the plastic. Will you be changing the bottom grill too? -Mark

Sep 4th, 2007, 01:31 PM	#3 (permalink)
hoojkel MINI2 Senior Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Belfast Local Time: 10:43 AM Posts: 358 Offline	Cheers Mark-o, I know looking at other posts that removing the bottom grill needs the bumper removed so I think i'll leave that to a friend who's a mechanic as I don't think it seems straight forward, or is it??

Sep 4th, 2007, 04:27 PM	#4 (permalink)
mark-o MINI2 4 ME Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Calgary, AB Local Time: 02:43 AM Posts: 295 Offline	I am assuming you don't have the R56... It's not too bad and doesn't require a mechanic... As long as you're installing the same grill or one that fits without modding the bumper a moderately handy person should be able to do it in an hour or two. Having done it before I could be in and out in about 30-40 minutes. I'd suggest doing the work on a soft surface (E.g. a soft rug or blanket so it doesn't scrape on the garage floor) Some threads mention jacking the car up and even removing the front wheels but it isn't necessary. Use a long ratchet extension when working in the fenderwells and there's lots of room without having to lift the car. The fog lights twist out and the sensor behind the lower grill pops out easily. Just take car not to tug on the wires and you should be fine. -Mark

Sep 5th, 2007, 07:02 AM	#5 (permalink)
hoojkel MINI2 Senior Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Belfast Local Time: 10:43 AM Posts: 358 Offline	Yeah from what I gathered you had to jack it up to get at the screws from underneath but as you say it can be done ok without. There is no need to mod the new one as it is a straight replacement so hopefully it shouldn't be too bad. i'll give it a try and post the results back, thanks again!!

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