Hey all, I need to replace several pieces of the narrow aluminum trim on my grill, the upright and at least three of the horizontals.... how are they secured?
What should I expect to pay for a set and does anyone know of a good source? Or if someone has a few used ones let me know....
My entire plastic grill was past its use-by date a few years ago and the replacement came with the chrome strips attached. Nice and shiny ;D Sorry I can't be of more help.
John: I spent the weekend tidying my grille; it was very tired looking - the grey plastic had faded to a powdery, dirty almost-white, and the trim strips were very tatty.
Although my parts supplier here in Oz sells replacement grille-grid complete with trim strips for between AU$80 and AU$120, depending on series, I had other financial priorities just now, so I painted the grey plastic a matte black - that really freshened it up! - and severely polished the trim strips with Autosol.
First, you'll need to remove the grille grid from the frame. (It might be easier to do the other tasks if you remove the entire grille from the car - there are only six little self-tappers securing it to the leading edge of the bonnet/hood.) There are four removable spring clips (two each side); there is a screw/bolt through the centre of the bottom, and at the top the grid is secured to the frame by the nut that also secures the laurel-wreath badge on the front top centre of frame.
The trim strips slide over little plastic fittings - using much the same principle as the rubber-and-chrome rubbing strips along the car's sides. Just coax them, gently, outward from the middle far enough to get a grip on the outer ends, then firmly but gently slide them off. The vertical one needs to be slid down from the top.
The two that were bent were easily straightened by running them (grooved side down) over the edge of some sheet steel (about 16 gauge).
Don't know if the trim strips can be purchased separately from the plastic grid.
I'd like to post a pic of my 'refreshed' grille, but I haven't yet replaced my stolen camera.
Another job I did while I had the grille out was to make a new (and far tidier) bug screen and fitted it inside the grille. I used to have a piece of untidy (but effective) alumin(i)um flywire mesh in front of my radiator, which saved said applicance from the corrosive acids of decomposing bug bodies.
Now I have a neat, one-handed-easy-clip-out-to-clean screen fitted to the inside of grille; not noticeable when bonnet is open and far tider looking for it. Another piece of flywire mesh protects the lower radiator - behind and below the bumper bar.
Hi John,
Here's another, click here (http://oem.overnightautoparts.com/parts/overnightautoparts/wizard.jsp?year=1978&make=MB&model=300-SD-001&category=O&part=Grille%20Moulding&dp=false)
A lot of NA websites have the same catalog with the same pics. To find "grille moulding" I had to look up parts for a 78 300sd. Previously I've had to look up a 76 450se to find 'em. For some reason this small part isn't cross linked throughout the 116 based catalogues. there's also no mention of a vertical strip, they only seem to sell horizontal but then again the vertical has the same profile, just shorter in length.
BEA here in Adelaide sells the strips for about $15 ea. If you buy the little plastic clips as well, you break the old ones when you remove the old strip, push the little plug out of the grille, then put the clips onto the strip, then clip the whole lot onto the grille without having to remove it. (The grille)
(I've done it.) Works well.
PS: BEA also sell the plugs that hold the aluminium grille in front of the windscreen onto the body and the glovebox plugs and any other bits like that as well.
Seems as though one must shop around for the full range.
Only Autohaus had the clips - for both horizontal and vertical trim bars, and also had vertical bars - but not the horizontal bars. I found the horizontals on Overnight Autoparts - but no verticals.
Thanks very much, I'll contact them and get some bits.
If your interest is piqued as was mine: then here is more information on BEA.
BEA Motors are South Australia's largest stockist of Genuine Mercedes-Benz Parts and Accessories, catering for passenger car models dating back to 1955.
They accept EFTPOS, Visa, Mastercard and Bankcard.
Hours of Business:
8.00am - 5.15pm, Monday to Friday.
9.00am - 12.00pm, Saturday.
Direct Phone: (08) 8231 4166 From Australia or + 61 8 8231 4166 for International Callers
Email: parts@beamotors.com.au
Hope this helps some of you.