Grille Retainers - '71-72 RR/GTX/Sat

[rt-man]

Trying to remove the center grille on my '72 Satellite so I can paint it. Can't get the three plastic retainining clips off that hold it in on top. Suggestions? I don't want to bust them off until I know that's what I'm supposed to do to remove them and I can replace them. The headlight grilles have already been removed.

Later...


Just spotted these. Yup, these are them.

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/Mopar-Ch ... dZViewItem

Am I supposed to break them off to get the grille off?

[72Rdrnner]

Trying to remove the center grille on my '72 Satellite so I can paint it. Can't get the three plastic retainining clips off that hold it in on top. Suggestions? I don't want to bust them off until I know that's what I'm supposed to do to remove them and I can replace them. The headlight grilles have already been removed.

Am I supposed to break them off to get the grille off?

You should NOT have to BREAK anything off to remove a grille.

Do you have the FSM or a parts manual? They generally show all the parts and more importantly HOW they are assembled. If you take all the screws & fasteners off, but the grille still doesn't budge, DO NOT FORCE IT! The next sound you will hear is "SNAP" as something breaks and then you will see that "hidden" screw.

I have a '72 Roadrunner which has a totally different grille but I also have the FSM Body Manual and a parts manual. If you don’t' have them I can make a copy of the specific diagram that shows the grille attachment and send it to you. Just PM me.

But DO NOT BREAK something to get it off...otherwise you will NEVER get it back on! TRUST ME!

[rt-man]

I have the factory service manual for both Body and Chassis. And I took all the screws off, its the 3 upper plastic retainers that I can't pry loose. I need a steel fork or some such tool to get them off, but don't have one lying around

[72Rdrnner]

I have the factory service manual for both Body and Chassis. And I took all the screws off, its the 3 upper plastic retainers that I can't pry loose. I need a steel fork or some such tool to get them off, but don't have one lying around

I'm looking at the diagram (fig 12) on pg 3-32, and I think I see what you're talking about. The "Retainer" that goes down into the top of the grille, that holds it to the crossbar.

There are a bunch of various tools that are designed specifically to take those out, mostly used to remove interior panels and the like. You can use a screwdriver but that will probably destroy the retainer. Personally if you're going to do any removal of interior panels a set of those tools are well worth the price. I got mine from Eastwood and they weren't that pricey.

You might check a parts store as those plastic retainers are a fairly common item. Once you remove the old one, even with a special tool, it may break the part that pushes through the hole. If you can find replacement retainers, then just pry the old one out with either a screwdriver or stiff putty knife and use a new one.

[rr6pak]

I know where you can get new ones....I'll have to check. They are $2.00 each. BUT DONT bust them off! The female end will probably break and no one makes them.

[rt-man]

They came out, one busting and 2 intact, so I can cart it around to my local parts supplier for new ones. And it might be warm enough around these parts this weekend to shoot the grille