Has anyone removed the kidney grills from a '95 or older E36?

[m3f_E36Pilot]

I was planning on painting my kidney grills black today but ran into some trouble poping them out. The few tech procedures I've read regarding the kidneys are for the newer style grills and they seem to be installed differently.



I removed the plastic cover that sits over the radiator and fan and was able to get good access to the back of the grills. There are quite a few clips back there and I'm not sure how to remove them. From my untrained eye, it looks like there are 4 main clips on each grill, (top, bottom, left and right) that need to be disconnected in some way in order to remove the entire kidney (chrome and slats). I however can't seem to get the clips to disconnect.



Am I on the right track? Any advice? Thanks in advance for any help.

[m3f_salty_80d4b8491b]

I was planning on painting my kidney grills black today but ran into some trouble poping them out. The few tech procedures I've read regarding the kidneys are for the newer style grills and they seem to be installed differently.



I removed the plastic cover that sits over the radiator and fan and was able to get good access to the back of the grills. There are quite a few clips back there and I'm not sure how to remove them. From my untrained eye, it looks like there are 4 main clips on each grill, (top, bottom, left and right) that need to be disconnected in some way in order to remove the entire kidney (chrome and slats). I however can't seem to get the clips to disconnect.



Am I on the right track? Any advice? Thanks in advance for any help.

On my 98 sedan, they banged the grilles inward with an open hand to get them out. The plastic on one is now missing a clip or two but still hangs in the housing OK

[m3f_Sirius_880bd69485]

On my 98 sedan, they banged the grilles inward with an open hand to get them out. The plastic on one is now missing a clip or two but still hangs in the housing OK



Cause they broke it...

[m3f_salty_80d4b8491b]

Cause they broke it...

Yes, does not appear that it was designed for weekly cleaning removal. Not like the old days with my Bavaria

[m3f_///sleeper_f29d08a5a4]

It's kinda a bitch on our '95's, but you pull off the radiator cover (like you did), then there are like 6 (I think) clips that are on the slats of the kidneys (2-top,2-bottom,1 on each side). Get a screwdirver and push those down below the corresponding metal pegs on the nose of your car. The plastic clips on the slats have a bunch of little teeth that hold themselves in against the metal pegs on the nose. Sorry, I know this sounds confusing as $hit...I'm pulling mine out to repaint them this week, so I'll take pics and give you better instructions.

If you live in a place where there's lots of sand, be ready to paint them again and again and again b/c they chip like an SOB.

[m3f_Stinky]

You WILL break some tabs. It's a bitch to get out. I cut my hands/fingers up on the metal tabs when I first popped it out.

[m3f_Sirius_880bd69485]

The guys at work remove them all the time without breaking them. I'll have to ask how they do it so well.

[m3f_nickanas]

I wonder what the car would look like if you take them off completely?

Has anybody tried that?



I bet it would look interesting showing the big motor fan.

Another idea would be to remove the bumper mesh.

[m3f_The Fly_6a68e922d2]

It looks really good when you paint the chrome surround with the actual plastic grill. It looks more original.









I wonder what the car would look like if you take them off completely?

Has anybody tried that?



I bet it would look interesting showing the big motor fan.

Another idea would be to remove the bumper mesh.

[m3f_///sleeper_f29d08a5a4]

You WILL break some tabs. It's a bitch to get out. I cut my hands/fingers up on the metal tabs when I first popped it out.





Yeah dude....I've got some burly scars on my knuckles from pulling those bastards out

[m3f_E36Pilot]

Thanks for all the help guys. I'll give it a go this weekend and have some bandages on hand.

[m3f_tdwyatt]

The guys at work remove them all the time without breaking them. I'll have to ask how they do it so well.Trevor, any word on the secret technique???

[m3f_Avus Blur_f64e36e460]

I bought an extra set of grills in case I didn't like the black look. I tried it the Bentley way and got it partially out. I then got pissed and just punched it opened handed and it popped right out. Didn't break any clips either. I guess I am just that good.





I soaked the chrome in bleach to remove it. You need to soack it at least 5-6 times to get all the chrome off. Just leave the parts in there until there are no more bubbles. Also, put the pieces in a none metal container. I put them in an aluminum tray and the bleach at right through it.