grille

[lgonzalez_1986]

Does this look about right guys ready to installed, where do the springs go andbi don't have any of the hardware anybody got pics? Thanks

 

[Bruce Urie]

Hate to tell you this but you're missing the bottom flange of the grill...this part has the grooves in it for the springs.....from looking at the side of your grill, you should have a flange at the bottom going back at about 6 or 7 inches, the view would be sort of shaped like an "L"....so, without that flange, there's no place to put the springs....the two springs, one on each side of this flange, goes in a groove there, then to the bumper insert on the back of the bumper.....looks like your grill is not complete, and with no springs, it'll flap back and forth all of the time if you mount it on your car.

Bruce '87 Grand National

 

[joey316g]

if you took this off your car or it came with the car, look in the hole where the grill goes for a large tarpaper like flap with pushsnaps. 5 to be exact. If the bottom part of the grille broke while in the car and it hasnt been removed previously, it should still be down in there connected to the flap with the 5 push snaps. If it is, PM me on some methods for repairing it. This exact thing happened to one of my cars and I repaired it. Looks great...cant see the repair.

 

[Bruce Urie]

Here we go....I went out into my garage and JUST FOR YOU, I ripped out my '87 grill (nah, not really, I just like to act like a martyr every now and then:tongue. I took some pictures for you to explain to you about the flange and springs, so here goes..

Below is a shot of the grill viewing from the back...see the flange at the bottom? And see the two springs? One on each side, but not mounted....



Here's a shot of the passenger side spring on how it locates on the bottom of the grill flange...the other side goes into that hole in the bumper support I told you about.



Here's a shot of the side view on how the spring goes on the grill flange...the other end goes on the bumper support.



Here's a shot of what the grill springs should look like.



Here's a shot of the grill from the front as to what it looks like with the flange on the bottom.



So, there you are...sure hope this helps you, buddy....any more questions about it, feel free to ask me or the others on this board.

Take care, now.

Bruce '87 Grand National

 

[Bruce Urie]

Joey316g, would you mind sharing with me and the rest of us how exactly did you repair your grill in this manner? My original grill is like this, the plastic flap broken off...I have it, but would like to seek any method on how to sucessfully put this back on...the grill you're looking at is a replacement I got from our buddy, Mario, in California.

So, would you care to tell me how you did it? I like checking out all avenues of problem solving first before I chose the one right for me...I could use your idea if you'll tell us. And thanks.

Bruce '87 Grand National

 

[Bruce Urie]

Sorry, forgot, one more.....Here's a shot to make everyone feel sorry for me:tongue:



Bruce '87 Grand National

 

[joey316g]

Joey316g, would you mind sharing with me and the rest of us how exactly did you repair your grill in this manner? My original grill is like this, the plastic flap broken off...I have it, but would like to seek any method on how to sucessfully put this back on...the grill you're looking at is a replacement I got from our buddy, Mario, in California.

So, would you care to tell me how you did it? I like checking out all avenues of problem solving first before I chose the one right for me...I could use your idea if you'll tell us. And thanks.

Bruce '87 Grand National

Sure Bruce, Im always willing to share info with my fellow Buick friends. I sadly sadly regret that I didnt take pictures. I usually do write ups on things like this. Have done a few on the Syclone forum and people loved them. The repair to the grill when done correctly is super strong and almost good as new. Damn I wish I had picture but here goes.

First off your gonna spend about $35 on a few items all of which can be bought at the home depot or lowes and a local drugstore.

1 can of universal clear abs primer (plumbing section)
1 can of ABS adhesive (plumbing section)
1 can of 3M Fiberglass resin or equiv (paint section)
1 pack of fiberglass cloth (paint section)
1 roll of masking tape
some acid brushes
a small turkey baster style dropper or medicine syringe for children (drugstore)
latex gloves
220 grit sandpaper

1. Lightly sand with 220 grit sand paper the mating surface where the grill seperated and an inch beyond on both the grill and flange. Not on the grill face that you can see when installed.
2. Clean the grill and flange very good with a general purpose cleaner. Simple green or something like that and dry off completely.
3. Use the universal primer on all the sanded surface and mating surfaces being careful to not get this on the face of the grill that is visible when installed and allow a few minutes to dry. Taping off all around the repair area helps.
4. For this step its good to have a helping set of hands. Using the ABS adhesive, spread it liberally on the entire mating surface area where the two pieces broke apart on BOTH pieces. The ends and completely accross the front. Again be careful not to get any on visible parts. IMMEDIATELY line up and put the pieces together and hold/clamp in place. Hold for a few minutes. It doesnt take long for this to set up. WHat youre doing is almost creating a weld type bond of the ABS plastic grill.
5. Once it is set up a few minutes, spread a little more glue over the repair areas for added support and then set aside overnight.

Now at this pont the repair is gonna feel very strong and you will be inclined to believe you are done but alas, round 2!

6. Lightly sand the repair areas again with 220 sandpaper and clean with more general purpose cleaner and allow to dry.
7. Stand grill on its nose so that it looks like a V if you look at it from the side. Again an extra pair of hand helps here or prop it up with something. what you are going to be doing is filling the inside corner of the flange and grille with fiberglass resin almost creating a fillet or gusset to strengthen the repair. This may seem like overkill but youre only getting one shot at this repair and id rather be safe than sorry.
8. ok mix up resin per instructions and work fast. Using the baster/syringe, fill the whole inside corner completely across the grill and in the corners at each end. The resin will self level out. Work fast but be careful as the resin will stay liquid about 10 minutes. Again, keep it off the visible areas.
9. After the inside is set, flip the grill over and hold/prop so its inverted.
10. Cut some fiberglass cloth to overlap the crack repairs by 1" on both sides. Cut enough to cover the whole length of the crack. The middle section can be done in 2 pieces and the ends in a few small pieces. (this should be the areas you sanded earlier. if you didnt stop and scuff these areas up)
11. Mix up some more resin and brush liberally out over the crack area extending 1" beyond on each side. Do this in sections remembering to keep in mind the resin is workable about 10-15 minutes. Immediately, imbed the fiberglass in th wet resin making sure to center over the original ABS repair. Then brush on more resin on top of the mat untill its saturated with resin. Again work quickly. If you have to, mix enough to do half the grill, then mix more and do the other half.
12. This will set up quickly and get hard as a rock. If you want extra strength, repeat steps 10 and 11 one more time. I did this extra step. Like I said, you only get one chance.

Thats it guys. It sounds like alot of work I know but in reality, I only had about 30 to 45 minutes tied up in the total repair and it beats paing anywhere from $300 to $400 for a new grill. If you like you can lightly sand the bottom and paint it but you dont have to and once installed, you cant see it. Also make sure to work in a well ventilated area and wear latex gloves as this resin can irritate skin. Man I wish I had pics to go with this but this car has been nothing but work for me since I bought it and alot of times I just want to git'r done. Please feel free to ask questions if not sure about something. Im always willing to help. Good Luck!

 

[joey316g]

Man I just realized that I probably should have posted this in its own thread.. Damn..... Mods if you can move this to its own thread as Bruce requested i shared this or Ill start a new thread and you can delete this one, it would be appreciated....didnt want to hijack the OPs thread.

 

[lgonzalez_1986]

Thank you very much joey and Bruce I would check the car tomorrow if I have that part, and if I don't where can I get it?

 

[joey316g]

Thank you very much joey and Bruce I would check the car tomorrow if I have that part, and if I don't where can I get it?

I hope its in the car because this isnt a part you can get being as it is part of your grill that broke off. The actual peice that the springs hook to is seperate but it gets riveted to the part that broke off of your grill. Keep your fingers crossed and hope its in the car.

 

[lgonzalez_1986]

Sorry it took so long but the car is at my parents and just have been busy but I don't have that piece on my tm how do I get one?

 

[joey316g]

Unfortuately, my friend, you are gonna need a new complete grill....unless you can find a piece that broke off in the same exact manner and repair it which is probably gonna be a long shot....a real long shot....sorry.