I am in the process of installing a mesh grill insert on my 2004 S-Type and need some advice on how to get the plastic piece with the slats out of the chrome surround so I can cut them out. I removed the grill from the car and noticed there are tabs holding the plastic piece with the slats onto the chrome surround.

I did this mod on my 2002 X-Type, but getting the surround out was much easier. I bought a mesh insert online and it did not come with instructions. I want to figure out how to do this the right way before I break a tab and have to buy a whole new grill. Any help would be greatly appreciated.

Thank you,

Will

 

Hey Will, if I may make a suggestion, post a few photos to give us a better understanding.

 

Agreed, also I am assuming you bought it from a place like Arden or Mina Gallery??? I would also contact them for complete instructions. I spoke with a guy from Mina when I was doing my lower grills and he knew everything about the car, and gave explicit step by step instructions on a proper install. Good luck man.

 

I bought the grill from ebay used and it did not come with instructions. I bought my X-Type grill the same way, but I found instructions online for that and installation was a breeze. I will take the grill off again tomorrow and snap some pics. I will post them up so you can see what tabs I am referring to.

Thank you,

Will

 

I believe that you are talking about the small tabs that holds the chrome surround onto the actual plastic grill that bolts to the car. These were a pain in the butt for me. I used the smallest flathead screw driver that I had and basically inserted it into the gap and tried to move it far enough back to slide the chrome holding tab out, its a bitch and you will almost always break a few. What I ended up doing is what someone else recommended anyhow, buy some 60 second resin/epoxy that self mixes and comes with a dispenser that looks like a needle, I bought mine at Lowes. Its called Devcon flow mix 60 second epoxy, its very fast setting. After I cut out the plastic bars and cleaned everything I set the grill in place lined it up and put the chrome surround on. I then used small 3" C clamps about ten of them and very carefully clamped everything down, be sure to use something on the end of the clamps so you dont scratch any of the chrome. After everything is lined up properly apply the epoxy, it is very easy with the devcon and very precise, I used just about 2 of them. I let mine dry the whole day before putting it back on, I hope this helps good luck.

 

Did you ever figure this out?

 

yes. i was able to get the surround out and only broke 1 clip. i just took my time and didn't try to "force" anything.

i will try to post up pics soon of what it looks like with the new mesh insert installed.

 

Hey guys can anybody tell me if there's any diference between the grills on the s type ,i have an 04 and my brackets are broken so i decided to buy one with mesh on it but i dont know wich ones would fit, i saw a few ones without the jaguar face on them and i like those but i think those are 2003 or older right? But then again 2003 models with factory mesh grill on them ?? Can anybody help me please !!!!! Thanks God Bless .

 

I think '99 - '04 are the same.

 

When installing the insert, did anyone use some sort of glue. I broke a couple tabs and the insert seems to force the chrome surround out... In other words what's a good adhesive to use?