How to Remove 08 Sedan Grille / Headlight

[BradWhite]

Maybe it's just me or there's some trick that I don't know, but removing a headlight from an 08 Sedan, per the owners manual instructions, is simply a lesson in frustration. And you have to completely remove the headlight to get to the bulbs. I now get the grille out of the way, a 5 minute job, and save myself a lot of grief.

To remove the grille, remove the four (4) plastic expansion plugs (blue circles). After removing the plugs pull up to release the alignment tabs (red circles).



While holding the top of the grille up look inside at the bottom, you will find one more expansion plug (blue circle) on each side, remove those. There is also a catch on the grille that hooks onto the bumper (red circle) on each side. Push in on the grill, push down on the bumper close to the grille catch and release the grille. If you did it right the catch should be released. You might have to try a couple times to get the hang of it. Also note the four alignment slots for re-installation, two on each side (yellow circles).



That's it, once those catches are released the grille should slid right out.

Now you can remove all three bolts from the headlight (blue circles), pull it clear of the fender and up to release that enormous tab on the bottom of it. And you can do it all without swearing or a cutting torch!



All I know is that if I'm doing anything with a headlight, my grille comes off first!

To put the grille back in, start from the bottom and slide it into those four alignment slots, replace the lower expansion plugs, push the top in and get the two top alignment tabs in place then replace the four top expansion plugs. Your done. That is assuming you remembered to re-install the headlight first. Which according to the owners manual can be done with the grille in place, but hey - good luck with that.

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Added to the 'HOW TO ARCHIVE'...........

[SuperFocusMan]

Nice, are you going to paint the grill?

[BradWhite]

Man you have good eyes. How did you see my grille work in those pics? If you're curious there's a pic of it in my gallery.

You know I didn't plan to paint it, but you are the second person to ask that question so I guess I'm going to look at doing that. Would you suggest painting just the center section or all of it?

[john m.]

Why did you have to replace the headlights on a new car? I got a 08 and if those lights burn out so fast I would like to know about it!

[SuperFocusMan]

Originally Posted by BradWhite

Man you have good eyes. How did you see my grille work in those pics? If you're curious there's a pic of it in my gallery.

You know I didn't plan to paint it, but you are the second person to ask that question so I guess I'm going to look at doing that. Would you suggest painting just the center section or all of it?

I would suggest painting the whole thing minus the mesh, possibly body color or black. But I am leaning to body color. It would look killer.

[BradWhite]

Nope, no problems with the stock bulbs. I just replaced them with some that are supposedly brighter.

When you do get around to having to replace one though I highly recommend removing the grille first. Yeah, it seems like overkill, but it's just so much easier to get the headlight out. Personally, I'll never go after a headlight again without removing the grille first.

Hey, would you like brighter fog lights? I know this trick works. Replace the bulbs with H9's, they are 2200 lumens brighter than stock. You just need to shave off one tab on the inside of the H9 and it fits right in. I'm using them and they are turned on a lot, no problems from extra heat or anything else.

[KingOfSwagger]

Originally Posted by BradWhite

Replace the bulbs with H9's, they are 2200 lumens brighter than stock. You just need to shave off one tab on the inside of the H9 and it fits right in. I'm using them and they are turned on a lot, no problems from extra heat or anything else.

Are there still no problems with excessive heat or too much power drainage, etc. from the H9 fogs?

[theWorst]

i didn't have that 5th thing..

jsut the four top ones... and tilt the grille down and it popped out.

[BradWhite]

I'm jealous, that's even easier than the Sedan!