Front Grille Replacement

[Scoobymaneater]

Good day everyone,

Someone backed their truck into my 89 Camry and pretty much cracked the front grille. I now ordered an aftermarket replacement from rockauto and I was wondering if there are any things that I should pay attention to when I remove the old part? Also, someone mentioned on this forum that new clips need to be purchased for this swap. Can anyone link me to a site for those clips as well?

Thank you soooooo much
Scoobs

[white90dx]

Unless the clips are broken, they can easily be reused. The grill can be popped off by pushing the small tabs on the clips up (with a screwdriver from the front of the car). After the grill is off, pop the clips out of the mounting holes (rotate them) and placed in the new grill. Then just pop the grill on.

-Charlie

[hairball]

You're in for a couple surprises regarding the clips!

First off, unless your Camry only has about 50-80,000 miles the clips will most likely be hardened and brittle from years of engine heat, especially in a hot climate like Southern California. I had to replace my grill after my minor accident, and only ONE came out without breaking! I live in Washington State, but my car originally spent most of it's life in Utah, where it can be hot sometimes (obvious from the faded paint on the roof, hood, and trunk lid). Charlie is correct in theory (he's usually right 101% of the time!) but it really depends on how brittle those clips became over the years.

The second shock you're in is that those clips cost $5 EACH at the dealer!!! I found a box of 25 on ebay for $11 with free shipping!!! Just checked, and the ones I got are not available from PDQ Auto Body Supply anymore for the price I paid, but there is one seller who has 10 for $5 but charging $5 shipping!

But you're in luck! I'll make you an offer you can't refuse. Remove your grill, then let me know how many clips are still intact and reusable and how many broke. If you only break a few, I'd be happy to send you some for FREE and even pay for the postage (via USPS regular mail)!!! If you can find a better deal, let me know.

Again, remove the grill and see how many clips don't survive and I'll send them to you!

These are what they look like on 84 & up Camry, Corolla, Cressida, and others and the OEM part number is 90467-17004 (call the dealer for the price, but make sure you're sitting down!):



Just send me a Private Message with your name and address and how many you need and I'll get them sent out today!

By the way, this was why I needed to find those clips:


Shawn in Tacoma, WA

[Sturdavj]

On my 86 Corolla I removed the grill to wire up fog lights, Hairball is right I did break a couple clips.
But it was such that I was able to tie-warp those locations. You may find you need to do this until you locate replacements

[hairball]

Originally Posted by Sturdavj

On my 86 Corolla I removed the grill to wire up fog lights, Hairball is right I did break a couple clips.
But it was such that I was able to tie-warp those locations. You may find you need to do this until you locate replacements

He just found them... if he reads his thread. Yeah, I did that too before I found my clips. Zip ties worked and you don't even see them! But hey, I'm offering him a price cheaper than any zip-ties! LOL!

Geez I hate cheap plastic grilles!!!

[Sturdavj]

Hey' I figured if I could talk him into using ty-wrap/ zip-ties… I just found the ones I was looking for

You want to keep that cold weather up north ?

[hairball]

Hey, I might be coming down that way this weekend to experience your tropical climate! LOL! I'm looking for a motorcycle, and there is one I want near Veneta and one in Salem.

[Sturdavj]

What kinda Bike ya looking at ?

[hairball]

A Kawi Z1000 or a Yami FZ1 (for some reason bikes seem cheaper in Oregon).

Ironically, I just found my 919 that I sold in August of last year! I was forced to take a measly $3500 for it after having invested over $10,000 in the 9 months I had it! Now I found it for $4300 at a dealer, and e-mailed them saying I know what I paid, I know what the buyer paid me, and if they will take $4000 cash out the door I'll come buy it today! I recognized it right away because I had some 919 stickers custom made and they are still on it, as are the Ford Fiamm horns and Motovation frame sliders! That would be so sweet and ironic as heck to get my own previous bike back!

[Sturdavj]

Salem is a good area for bikes, I have heard they were less in OR, not sure why

My neighbor has a good friend who is a pipe fitter who lives up your way, he is in to HD when times were strong he'd come down a couple times a year and pick up a bike or two, take them north and turn them. He was making a little pocket change.