The front grill: what it does, how to troubleshoot and replace it

What is a front grille, and what does it do?

The grille is a passive cooling system placed on the front of an automobile, just above the bumper or bumpers. Composed of a grid allowing the outside air to pass through, it is the external part of the radiator. Supported by fans, it prevents the motor from overheating.

However, the role of the grille is today less critical because the cooling is mainly provided by other elements. It can therefore be absent or have a size reduced to a minimum. But its decorative character means that most of the time, it is still kept on the front of a vehicle.

Nowadays, the car front grille plays a more aesthetic role. Its shape is often a determining factor in the look, and designers like to play with it. Its material and colour, like the side strip or the mirror shell, indicate the level of finish: plastic, metal, black or colour, chrome …

An automotive grill is found at the front of the vehicle and is designed to protect the air intake and radiator from debris or foreign objects. Unfortunately, as it is positioned at the front of the vehicle’s body, grilles are notorious for getting damaged over time.

Can you replace it yourself?

Yes, If you are considering a replacement grille, you will need to consider the size, finish and model of your vehicle, as this will affect the price of the new or second-hand grille. As well as cost, there are also other elements to consider – a car grille with parking sensors, for example, will be more expensive.

As a result of the enormous range of makes, models and manufacturers catered for, including one-offs for unlisted vehicles, prices and quality will vary. However, it is good to know that some companies will make car grilles for unregistered vehicles through a development model programme.

One final consideration is the proper fitting position, as lower grilles and sets are usually more affordable than a complete set. They are notably smaller than the main grille, and their purpose is to either act as cooling ducts for brakes or solely for aesthetics.

Replacing a grille is generally the better option as opposed to booking a repair. It is usually less expensive, and the brand new grille is guaranteed to have a longer lifespan than a second-hand part.

Different types of grilles

The car front grill has today become an element of automotive design. To personalize the aesthetics of cars, there are different types of grille, first of all depending on their location:

• Ventilation grilles, generally located under the bumper, at the front of the wheels
• Radiator grilles
• The bumper skirts grilles, which can be found at the front as well as at the rear of the vehicle
• The roof grille, reserved for rear engine cars
• Grilles on the bonnet

The grille can be fixed in different ways, and we can generally distinguish three categories of shape. The most common grille is the one in full hermetic plate, the fitting position of which is located under the grille. It can also be integrated into the front bumper, which is generally a bit more aesthetic. Finally, the grille can be located in the extension of the hood.

Finally, the grille can be made of various materials. On newer cars, this is often plastic or a composite material, but older or luxury cars often have metal grilles (steel or aluminium).

Identifying issues or symptoms of failure/problems

Assessing any signs of damage to your grille is quite easy – just take a look for any obvious signs of breakage. Jagged pieces of metal, dents or need to be promptly dealt with.

You can drive a car with a damaged grille, but that does not mean it is inadvisable to do so. Identifying a damaged front grill is easy, as they are easily visible on the car front.

Just because your car is mechanically viable, it doesn’t mean that it is still safe to drive. In addition, some types of external damage still qualify a car as being in “dangerous condition” – in other words, your vehicle could pose a threat to yourself or other road users.

Driving with a damaged front grille is illegal as it could have jagged edges, which could seriously injure a person or animal if they were to make contact with it, even when your car is parked or stationary. If someone was to brush past the front of your car they could incur a nasty scrape or cut.

If your front grill is damaged, there’s also the potential for parts to come loose while your car is in transit. These parts could strike persons or other vehicles or cause accidents due to another road user swerving or braking sharply to avoid driving over debris that has come away from your vehicle.

Frequently occurring issues with a car front grill

This type of repair is a fairly easy replacement job and doesn’t need any huge amount of mechanical skill. You should wear safety glasses when working on your car. In addition, wear other personal protective equipment (PPE) when necessary, for example, latex gloves or closed-toe shoes. Open the bonnet and place the stand in the retaining hole. Remove any seals, covers or supports that block access to the grille retainers.

Take the grille from the front of the vehicle. If the grille is attached to the bumper cover, you will need to remove the bumper cover to access the retainers.

Inspect the parts underneath to see if there is any visible damage; replace as needed.

Check the new front grille to make sure it matches the old grille. Some grilles come pre-painted or have no paint at all. If your grille requires paint, you will need to paint it before installation.

Install the new front grill by lining up the existing retainer holes to the fitting position. Then, install the old retainers or replace the damaged ones with new retainers. Tighten the retainers until snug. Check all covers to ensure they are secure and the fitting position is correct.

Finally, close the bonnet – the job is done.

How to make sure you purchase the right car parts for your exact car

If you need a new front grille or any other replacement part, it is essential to choose a reputable supplier. Save time and money by sourcing the correct car parts on autoparts-24.com. Choose the exact parts for your vehicle by entering the OEM number or selecting the right make/models/variant combination!