Have any of you installed a lower mesh grille insert on a model where the lower diffuser is attached to the bumper surround with rivets and not screws? I know that my 2005 is like this, not sure of other models. The only reference to this was a posting I found on the UK forum that indicates "On inserts mounted with rivets use a drill to cut the base of the rivet." I just wonder how hard this actually is considering you are not removing the bumper cover. To me it seems pretty tight down there and the angle is not the best to be working with a drill. Any comments, thoughts, or words of wisdom for someone who has done this already? Thanks

 

tarheel, your best bet would be to get an angle drill. That will make for less room needed between the head of the rivet and any surrounding supports. You can also try using a dremel tool with an abrasive disk to grind off the head of the rivets. That would be the same as drilling out the rivets. Then you are coming at the rivet from a 90 degree angle, which would have you positioned with the dremel tool sticking straight out the front of the car.