Hi, I wonder Is there an easy way to remove the front grille without taking the whole front bumper assembly off?

I had a recent MOT (all OK) but the tester noticed a coolant leak from the radiator and on closer inspection a large stone had been "posted" through the grille and was rubbing the rad. (my kids often post chippings/small stones through grille but the stones have always found their own way out over time).

I've tried long nosed pliers etc. but there really isn't enough room to get at it (the stone is fag packet size and well wedged).

I have some leak sealer to go in after removal but as yet haven't had any coolant loss , I think the leak is very minor and probably not worth worrying about but would like to sort it for peace of mind. TIA.

NO, when the bumper comes off it looks like this. On later model you can split the lower bumper and grille, BUT you have to take it off first.

PowerfulUK.com do a video on front bumper removal. Click on link below.




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Many thanks for reply, I was afraid of this, will now have to resort to a more cunning plan to extract the stone.

Hold back on leak sealer if you can.


 FL2 MY10 TD4 GS traded in at 2 years
FL2 MY13 TD4 GS Current

Might be a stupid question, but if you can't dislodge the stone 'in situ' (which shouldn't be that difficult - if a big stone can get in, so can a big tool to remove it), why don't you just take off the bumper to remove it ?
It's not a big job (only big in the size if the item) and is just a matter of half a dozen (or so) screws and way easier than removing the grill.
I've done both btw. FL2 now gone and have a couple of items left for sale:-

Brodit active iPhone holder + Brodit dash clip,
Bluetooth Music Streaming Module.

Will do, have never had to top up the coolant in over 110,000 miles of trouble free motoring, but as a precaution have left the filler cap on just slightly to stop it pressurizing fully.
The stone could have been there for years or put in there last week, I've no way of knowing. Kids are adamant they never put it in but I've heard that line before and the 3 year old is a well known "Tipper/Filler".

ronp wrote:

Might be a stupid question, but if you can't dislodge the stone 'in situ' (which shouldn't be that difficult - if a big stone can get in, so can a big tool to remove it), why don't you just take off the bumper to remove it ?
It's not a big job (only big in the size if the item) and is just a matter of half a dozen (or so) screws and way easier than removing the grill.
I've done both btw.

There's no issue re lining it up, everything just clicks into place. FL2 now gone and have a couple of items left for sale:-

Brodit active iPhone holder + Brodit dash clip,
Bluetooth Music Streaming Module.

If you chock it up you don't even have to take it off completely it will swing away from the top mounting so you can get your hand behind the grill - it REALLY is an easy job.

Click image to enlarge

Westville, great photo ......... where's the mug of tea ???

My father used me as a 'spanner boy' when I was young, he would say "lolly-pop screwdriver"


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GOTCHA!!! finally managed to extract stone without taking anything apart.Thanks for all the comments.