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stephan123

Member Since: 18 Mar 2015
Location: London
Posts: 282

Lower grill woes

Hi,

The lower grille on MY15 Defender is looking worse for wear. Bought a replacement from Zunsport but unsure as how to remove the old grille. Any help would be much appreciated!

9th Sep 2018 7:49am

Bluest

Member Since: 23 Apr 2016
Location: Lancashire
Posts: 4206

2007 Defender 110 Puma 2.4 XS CSW Java Black

You’ll need to drill out the rivets from the outside and either bolt or rivet the new one in. 2007 110 TDCi Station Wagon XS

9th Sep 2018 7:59am

JOW240725

Member Since: 04 May 2015
Location: Suffolk
Posts: 7905

2012 Defender 110 Puma 2.2 XS CSW Orkney Grey

As above, it is easy even I managed to do it! Good luck and photos please

James
MY2012 110 2.2TDCi XS SW Orkney Grey - http://www.defender2.net/forum/topic43410.html
MY1990 110 200TDi SW beautifully faded Portofino Red - https://www.defender2.net/forum/post743641.html#743641
MY1984 90 V8 Slate Grey - https://www.defender2.net/forum/post744557.html#744557
Instagram @suffolk_rovers

9th Sep 2018 8:01am

stephan123

Member Since: 18 Mar 2015
Location: London
Posts: 282

Thank you for the prompt replies. Never drilled rivets but will give it a go!

9th Sep 2018 8:09am

Balvaig

Member Since: 19 Feb 2016
Location: Fife
Posts: 730

2016 Defender 90 Puma 2.2 Landmark LE Corris Grey

Use a new drill bit slightly smaller than the rivet head. It should fit nicely in the rivet "hollow". Go slowly/carefully with the back of the grill properly supported. Not too much pressure, let the drill do the work.
All being well the head of the rivet will come off and you should be able to push the remains through the hole.
It is always worth practising on a rivet in some scrap metal if you can,before you go for the real thing.
Not a difficult job.

9th Sep 2018 9:11am

JOW240725

Member Since: 04 May 2015
Location: Suffolk
Posts: 7905

You might also find it easier to take the whole grill surround off (screw across the top and one large screw on each side). Then you can drill them out in full view wherever easiest.

9th Sep 2018 5:09pm

discomog

Member Since: 09 May 2015
Location: Notts/Lincs Border
Posts: 2526

2015 Defender 90 Puma 2.2 XS CSW Santorini Black

As James says, take the whole grille off to make life easier. It's much easier to fix the new grille with machine screws and nuts rather than pop rivets an. of course much easier if you have to take it off in the future,

Click image to enlarge Defender 90XS SW
Mini Countryman Cooper S
Morgan Plus 8

10th Sep 2018 7:58am

edo

Member Since: 20 Aug 2018
Location: Devon
Posts: 374

LR just painted the grille for me as part of my purchase. Was this silver or body colour from factory?

10th Sep 2018 8:27am

discomog

Member Since: 09 May 2015
Location: Notts/Lincs Border
Posts: 2526

No it's a stainless steel one from Nakatanenga. Defender 90XS SW
Mini Countryman Cooper S
Morgan Plus 8

10th Sep 2018 8:37am

edo

Member Since: 20 Aug 2018
Location: Devon
Posts: 374

From the LR factory?

10th Sep 2018 8:43am

discomog

Member Since: 09 May 2015
Location: Notts/Lincs Border
Posts: 2526

No, from 4x4 Overlander. Defender 90XS SW
Mini Countryman Cooper S
Morgan Plus 8

10th Sep 2018 8:45am

edo

Member Since: 20 Aug 2018
Location: Devon
Posts: 374

Ok sorry, to clarify, what I was asking, this grille is a painted section from the factory?

Mine was standard and in a right state (2013 car), it was as if the factory had painted the stainless and it had reacted.

10th Sep 2018 9:04am

LandRoverAnorak

Member Since: 17 Jul 2011
Location: Surrey
Posts: 11324

From the factory, it's a silvery colour. I'm not sure what the coating is but it's rubbish and corrodes as soon as you look at it. Darren

110 USW BUILD THREAD - EXPEDITION TRAILER - 200tdi 90 BUILD THREAD - SANKEY TRAILER - IG@landroveranorak

"You came in that thing? You're braver than I thought!" - Princess Leia

10th Sep 2018 9:05am

edo

Member Since: 20 Aug 2018
Location: Devon
Posts: 374

Ok, well mine is now body coloured so lets see how long that lasts!!

10th Sep 2018 9:26am

zsd-puma

Member Since: 09 Aug 2016
Location: Kent
Posts: 2720

2010 Defender 110 Puma 2.4 USW Santorini Black

edo wrote:
it was as if the factory had painted the stainless and it had reacted.

It's very cheap Aluminium not stainless, that's why it doesn't last long, it corrodes and forces the paint off.

mine was body colour originally.

10th Sep 2018 9:42am

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