How-to: Install Lower Vent Mesh Grille Covers

[jhelmuth]

Here is my install of the brand new E&G mesh lower vent grilles. I've also created a pdf copy of their instructions (for your use and comparison - hope they do not mind) if you email me at: jhelmuth@tampabay.rr.com I'll send it to you.
I'll have to make serveral posts, so please just follow along...

Pre install step: Take the unpolished stainless mesh retainers (flat metal with square "slots" cut around the interior rim) and paint them a semi-gloss black (I used a gloss black Krylon enamel myself, but E&G recommends a semi-gloss or flat)

If you have everthing organized and have pre-painted the retainers, you should be able to complete this install in 25-45 mins.

#1. Raise front of car to a comfortable position. E&G instruction will recommend jack stands, and I will too (but I have to admit that I worked on this without having used my jack stands because I was not sure where I could locate them without damaging the under carriage). You can get away with raising the car on the drivers side just enough to lift the front wheel and tire off the ground.
#2. Remove the screws and push pins that hold the front bottom engine cover. There are 2 10mm bolts (toward the back of the cover), six push pins (three each side in the wheel well), and 10 7mm bolts/screws along the leading edge. I recommend removing the rear 10mm bolts first, followed by the push pins next (you'll need to use a screw driver or pliers to pull the center pin out of its socket first and then remove the pin assembly), and then remove the 7mm screws. The cover will then easily slide out. Set aside (out of the way) while you continue the remaining work.


Once the cover is removed, you get this view from the passenger side looking along the front underneath the car .

[jhelmuth]

#3. Working from behind the bumper facia, find the stock plactic cover (factory vent block-off plates) and remove the single retainer clip by pusing it straight up and out of the retainer slot. You can then pull the block-off plates off the rear of the bumper facia vent opening by pulling straight back. If necessary push each individual tab to release its grip from the plate. Note the position of those tabs in the corners of the plate in the pix attached. The "inside" (toward the center of the car) top tab is quite large and this is where the retaining clip is attached. Do this to each side (passanger first, then drivers side). Removing the passagner side first will give you the experience necessary to give you an idea of what you'll need to do in much tighter quarters on the drviers side.

I've attached pix of each side removed. It is worth noting that the drivers side vent is more difficult to get to (but not impossible) as it is partially blocked by a large black plastic piece (see pix) next to, and attached to the lower radiator mount. The drivers side plate will give you the most trouble, but is not too hard if you are persistant and careful.

[jhelmuth]

OK... your almost there!

At this point you have you vents open and ready to recieve the new polished SS vents (whoo hoo)! This is why I suggested to you earlier that you'll want to paint the vent retainers in advance. You need to wait until they are dry before final installation.
Note the pix with the "parts" you've removed and will be replacing with

#4. Take the same paint that you used to paint the vent retainers with, and now paint the factory retaining clips that you just removed. place these aside to dry. If you use a heat gun or hair dryer, you may be able to accelerate the drying time to just several minutes. It is absolutly necessary to wait until the clips are dry if you do not want them to show easily from behind the mesh once installed.

[jhelmuth]

While the retaining clips are drying, you can proceed with installing the mesh vents...

#5. Again, working from behind the bumper facia, carefully place the mesh grille in the same place/location as the former factory block-off plates were. Keep the orientation the same (see pix from the prior post). Tension from the bumper facia "tabs" should hold it in place if you properly positioned it. The tabs will fit into the cut outs in the mesh (see pix).

#6. Now take the matching vent retainer (which you painted earlier - and it is dry... right?) and carefiully align the top retainer slots to the top tabs on the back of the bumper facia. Push the plate onto the tabs and firmly up against the mesh. You will probably have to then push down on the bottom facia tabs to locate them into the bottom slots of the retainer - again, push firmly into place.

#7. Once dry, replace the factory retaing clip into its original location. If you install them "upside down" so that the cilp installs from the bottom of the tab (instead of from the top of the tab as it was removed) then you will minimize the visibility of the clip from the front view!

The final assembly (sans the retaining clip) should look like the last pix.

[jhelmuth]

Once you've installed the rear vents, replace the lower cover pannel and lower the vehicle.

TaDa.... your results should look quite similar to mine!

Good luck and best wishes installing yours!

[5point7]

Great write up! Looks great!

The big "black box" on the driver's side you refer to is the airbox silencer...now would be a great time to yank that thing out while your under there!

[jhelmuth]

Thank you... thak you very much! T.C.B.

[Northern Rider]

Thanks, Jim for the write up and close-up pics. Very professional.

It will be a great help to anyone doing this good-looking mod.