Tools needed for install:
phillips head screwdriver
flathead screwdriver
10mm socket, various extensions, and wrench
10mm box end wrench -or 10mm of some sort
1. Pop the hood. Make sure its supported well so it will not fall during install.
2. Start by removing the four plastic screws holding down the mini grille. There are two located on the sides of the plastic grille and two located on the metal subframe. After removing the screws, pop out the clips that they screw in to and sit everything aside for reinstall later.
3. Using a flathead screwdriver, pop out the last clip holding the grille in place. It is located down on the bumper support and can be seen when looking down on the inside of the grille support. This clip has a center portion that will raise up with the use of a flat head and allow the entire clip to be pulled out.
4. Remove grille by carefully pulling it out towards the front of the car. Lifting up a little is needed to pop the grille off. After removal, sit it off to the side.
5. Using a 10mm wrench combo, remove both horns from their stock location. Replace the 10mm bolt back on the sub frame. Depending upon the horn location, this bolt could be mounting or holding down something such as the AC condenser.
6. Using the provided 10mm bolt and locknut, relocate the horns as shown in the picture. This mounting point is a stock hole and repositions the horns to a location that is more visually appealing. You can opt to mount the horns in other places, but be aware that road debris or rain water can cause the horns to not function properly.
7. Install the supplied neoprene rubber strips on the underside of the cooling plate as pictured. The strips come uninstalled for simplicity of painting, polish, powdercoating, etc. the plate. This strip serves several purposes when installed and will contribute to an adjustment free life of the cooling plate.
8. Install the cooling plate into the grille. There is a gap between the top of the grille and the bottom grille portion that the plate slides into.
You will need to bend the tabs on the sides about 20 degrees downwards to line up with the angle of the car. This should become pretty obvious how it works once you are trying to put it all together.
9. Work the cooling plate into the installed position now. Due to fitment, the cooling plate must slide over the latch handle in the rear and under it in the front. The plate also extends up under the subframe and positioning it may take a few seconds to figure out exactly how it fits in there.
10. Once the plate is in the proper position, realign the grille as it was originally installed. Be careful to note how the grille attaches to the bumper. It slides in the front on the bottom and has little slots that lock into the lip of the bumper. Then the top of the grille has to be lifted up on the corners just a bit to slide it into the proper place on the bumper.
11. Once the grille is lined up correctly and the plate is in place, reinstall the two clips and screws on the bumper.
12. Next reinstall the two clips on the subframe and replace the screws into them. This may be a tight fit or feel like the clips won’t hold. This is normal due to the plastic grille transforming its shape slightly to hold the plate in it. Just press the clips back in, hold it all tight up against the subframe and reinstall the screws.
13. Save the one clip that you are unable to reinstall due to the plate being in the way for use somewhere else or try to install it. We found the grille stays just fine without it and it simplifies install a good bit.