Subaru STI Front Grille Replacement
Difficulty: Moderate
As an enthusiast, the replacement of the OEM US Front grill to the JDM Spec front grill is usually the beginning of a never ending cycle of parts that is installed and removed on the vehicle.
Step 1
The first step is to lift up the front end of the car with a jack and jack stands.
After the car is in the air, pop the hood and locate the top clips that need to be removed.
The clips circled will be the initial clips that will need to be removed with the flat head or small pick.
Step 2
Start with small clips on the intake scoop to free it from the bumper.
Then start removing the clips on the top with a small pick or screw driver. Be gentle as these clips like to break quite easily.
Step 3
After the top clips are removed, it is time to attack the clips on the side of the bumper that is attached to the fender liner.
Removal of the wheels is not necessary but will increase the space to work with.
Step 4
Then under the car, there are a series of clips that connect the bumper to the under tray. Pop those out as well with the small pick or screw driver.
Step 5
The last set of fasteners are 10mm socket bolts. They're on the top of the bumper in the engine bay.
Remove the 6 bolts and the bumper will be ready for pulling.
Step 6
After the 6 bolts are removed, it is time to slightly tug on the bumper.
Starting from the sides of the bumper, carefully pull them out to free from the fender.
Then pull from the front, but not all the way as the lights are still connected.
Step 7
Remove the plug for the lights.
Once the plug is removed, the bumper is ready to be pulled.
Step 8
After the front bumper removal, locate the 8 Phillips head screws on the back of the grille.
Then locate the 8 push tabs that clips the grill on the bumper.
Step 9
Use the correct sized phillips screw driver and start removing the screws that hold that grille into the bumper.
Step 10
Once all 8 screws are removed, it is time to work on the push tabs.
These tabs are very delicate and like to break when it is forced, so a nice and gentle use of the thumb will separate the tab from the bumper.
Step 11
Side by side, the JDM spec (on top) grille looks nicer than the USDM spec (bottom) grille.
Step 12
After admiring the two grilles side by side, go ahead and install the new JDM spec grille into the bumper.
Just line up the tabs to the holes and click it into place.
Then start applying the screws into the appropriate areas.
Step 13
After making sure all the tabs are clicked in and the screws are tight, go ahead and proceed to the installation of the bumper.
The installation of the bumper will be the reverse steps of removal.
The JDM Spec front grille matches the lower grill on the bumper. Resulting in a cleaner and a more uniform look.