Reasons to Buy an Aftermarket Grille and Steps to Replacing it Yourself

The grille is one of those vehicle parts that many people don’t pay much attention to, yet it’s one of the most affordable, aesthetic-altering modifications you can perform on your vehicle. Not only does it add to the overall aesthetics of your vehicle, but it also plays a crucial role in making sure your running gear is kept in top-notch condition. Stock plastic grillers are susceptible to being pierced by twigs, rocks and other debris that flies up to the road at high speed. If they pierce your grille, they can cause serious damage to the intercoolers of your turbocharged engine, or front-mounted radiators, and cause your vehicle to overheat.

For that reason, aftermarket grilles are one of the most sought-after replacement car parts. Although gravel and stones are the more obvious culprits, even seemingly harmless leaves can be problematic. Most vehicles feature air ducts which cool the brake discs to assist you with slowing down when driving with higher speeds. So if a lot of foliage makes its way through the grill, it can corrode your brake’s discs and pads.

Aftermarket, custom grills are usually constructed from a strong material, such as stainless steel, or ABS plastic, which offer optimum protection against road-borne dangers that can otherwise damage your vehicle and require you to take a costly trip to your local serviceman or mechanic. And as briefly aforementioned, the grille is one of the most popular replacement car parts because it also adds to your vehicle’s overall appeal. It’s a subtle but definitely a noticeable improvement of your vehicle’s look that adds a touch of individuality and flair to it.

If you’ve decided you want to replace your stock grille with an aftermarket one, great! All you need is a set of sockets or spanners, and you can do the replacement yourself. The first step is to open the bonnet and find the grille top. The grille may be covered or protected by a protector strip, which you’ll have to remove before unbolting it. The next step is to unbolt it by removing all the bolts. If you’re having trouble removing bolts, use a liquid lubricant.

After you’ve unbolted the grille, you’ll have to detach it from its holding position and place it aside. Now, you just need to slot in the new grille and bolt it back on. As long as you’ve got a grille that fits your vehicle’s specific year, model and make, you should have an easy time doing so.