Author Topic: W11X grille clips  (Read 2213 times)

col320ce

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W11X grille clips
« on: November 22, 2020, 06:26:44 »
What's the technique for getting these back?
Col

1964 230SL
1965 250SE coupe
1993 320CE Sportline

wwheeler

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Re: W11X grille clips
« Reply #1 on: November 22, 2020, 14:57:03 »
Wasn’t super easy, but they went on. It has been too long since I did it to remember exactly what I did. I can go out and take some pics and maybe that will help.
Wallace
Texas
'68 280SE W111 coupe
'60 220SE W128 coupe
'70 Plymouth Roadrunner 440+6

wwheeler

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Re: W11X grille clips
« Reply #2 on: November 22, 2020, 19:16:41 »
Got lucky and found pics I took back when. Should help.
Wallace
Texas
'68 280SE W111 coupe
'60 220SE W128 coupe
'70 Plymouth Roadrunner 440+6

col320ce

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Re: W11X grille clips
« Reply #3 on: November 23, 2020, 10:57:20 »
Hi Wallace
Your grill looks different to mine... I think my clips are slightly different too. I can see how they were on originally but the springs are so strong that I can't work out how to get them back on.
The photo attached is the same as my clips..
Col

1964 230SL
1965 250SE coupe
1993 320CE Sportline

col320ce

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Re: W11X grille clips
« Reply #4 on: November 23, 2020, 11:10:12 »
This is my 'before' picture
Col

1964 230SL
1965 250SE coupe
1993 320CE Sportline

ja17

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Re: W11X grille clips
« Reply #5 on: November 23, 2020, 16:43:06 »
I use a Vice Grip tool to hold the clips in the center by their sides first. Start the small end in the grille screen opening first. Start the chrome grille surround end of the clip at an angle and "twist" (rotate) the clip into final position under the chrome grille surround.
Joe Alexander
Blacklick, Ohio
1969 Dark Olive 280SL
2002 ML55 AMG (tow vehicle)
2002 SLK32 AMG (350 hp)
1982 300TD Wagon turbo 4spd.
1963 404 Mercedes Unimog (Swedish Army)
1989 flu419 Mercedes Unimog (US Army)
1998 E430
1974 450SLC Rally
1965 220SE Finback

col320ce

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Re: W11X grille clips
« Reply #6 on: November 23, 2020, 20:19:23 »
Thanks Joe... I'll try that!
Col

1964 230SL
1965 250SE coupe
1993 320CE Sportline

wwheeler

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Re: W11X grille clips
« Reply #7 on: November 23, 2020, 21:53:45 »
Looking at my grille clips, they are a bit different than yours. The reason is because the grille inserts are different. The earlier cars used a grill that had smaller squares and was basically flat on the backside (similar to my Ponton grille). My '68 W111 grille insert has reinforcing ribs side to side on the back side. So my clips actually fit on these ribs and have a narrow slot for that. It looks like your clips have a tab that fit into the square hole.

Joe's idea sounds good and I just remember it wasn't as easy as it looked.
Wallace
Texas
'68 280SE W111 coupe
'60 220SE W128 coupe
'70 Plymouth Roadrunner 440+6

col320ce

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Re: W11X grille clips
« Reply #8 on: November 26, 2020, 10:27:07 »
Here is Joe's technique in pictures .... worked a treat. 
Col

1964 230SL
1965 250SE coupe
1993 320CE Sportline