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djkeev
Samba Moderator
Joined: September 30, 2007
Posts: 32625
Location: Reading Pennsylvania
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 Posted: Thu Mar 18, 2021 7:52 am Post subject: Mounting Lower Radiator Grille |
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So those of you who do your own repairs will recognize this photo, the lower right side of the radiator where the radiator fan temperature switch is mounted.
Now, it is the mounting of the lower grille that bothers me.
The factory clips utilize five round holes in the body, two are seen in the photo above.
The mounting uses a proprietary clip, which I have here.......
The clip has a conventional pop it in tab spreader as is used in many vehicle applications today.
What is proprietary is the rectangular outer portion that holds the grille in place.
I don't like this system, it is hard to effectively remove the spreader pin and not lose it or break the clip tabs.
They are in essence a one use item.
Some people have used plastic dry wall anchors or similar round bushing.
They work, but they all rotate with the fastener screw!
No good!
I was at the hardware store searching for alternatives and stumbled upon these Ford License Plate mounting clips.
They snap into a SQUARE hole and accept a hex head screw.
This will work!
I will need to file my round 8.3 mm hole to a square 9.6 mm
I will insert these clips first against the body, lay the grille over the white rectangular tabs then insert a screw with a retainer "washer" through the grille opening.
I hate making permanent body changes, but if I paint the new enlarged holes, they will be fine.
I will also need to make a flat plate washer to go under the screw head out of something (plastic? Aluminum? ).
This should work just fine.
GoWesty sells an improved version of the VW design that uses a screw instead of a push pin, but again, it is proprietary and currently out of stock!
Using this method will give me replacement parts availability at any hardware store.
Unless others have a better mouse trap?
Dave
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skills@eurocarsplus
Samba Peckerhead
Joined: January 01, 2007
Posts: 16878
Location: sticksville, ct.
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| Posted: Thu Mar 18, 2021 8:22 am Post subject: Re: Mounting Lower Radiator Grill |
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is this a late vs early thing?
the 2 84's i have here have almost what you have, except there is a screw that expands the titties when you sung them up.
looks stock to me so i'm not sure. i can grab you a pic if it helps
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djkeev
Samba Moderator
Joined: September 30, 2007
Posts: 32625
Location: Reading Pennsylvania
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Xevin 
Samba Member
Joined: January 08, 2014
Posts: 7628
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| Posted: Thu Mar 18, 2021 8:44 am Post subject: Re: Mounting Lower Radiator Grill |
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| djkeev wrote: |
| skills@eurocarsplus wrote: |
is this a late vs early thing?
the 2 84's i have here have almost what you have, except there is a screw that expands the titties when you sung them up.
looks stock to me so i'm not sure. i can grab you a pic if it helps |
That sounds like what GoWesty sells.
These that I have came straight from VW for my 86.
I like my idea, easy fast.
Dave |
On the 85 I have what skills mentioned. They have VW/Audi logo on them. I’m missing one 
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| 67rustavenger wrote: |
GFY's Xevin and VW_Jimbo!  |
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| Damn that Xevin... |
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I respect Xevin and he's a turd  |
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My God! Xevin and I 100% agree  |
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Xevin
Samba Member
Joined: January 08, 2014
Posts: 7628
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| Posted: Thu Mar 18, 2021 8:57 am Post subject: Re: Mounting Lower Radiator Grille |
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What about this Dave
https://www.vancafe.com/171853695A-p/171853695a.htm
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Keep on Busin'
| 67rustavenger wrote: |
| GFY's Xevin and VW_Jimbo! |
| Clatter wrote: |
| Damn that Xevin... |
| skills@eurocarsplus wrote: |
| I respect Xevin and he's a turd |
| SGKent wrote: |
| My God! Xevin and I 100% agree |
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djkeev
Samba Moderator
Joined: September 30, 2007
Posts: 32625
Location: Reading Pennsylvania
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Xevin
Samba Member
Joined: January 08, 2014
Posts: 7628
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| Posted: Thu Mar 18, 2021 9:07 am Post subject: Re: Mounting Lower Radiator Grille |
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| djkeev wrote: |
That's what I have from VW in the VW bag.
Dave |
Misunderstood  thought you needed more. Looks like you are creating a better clip.
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Keep on Busin'
| 67rustavenger wrote: |
| GFY's Xevin and VW_Jimbo! |
| Clatter wrote: |
| Damn that Xevin... |
| skills@eurocarsplus wrote: |
| I respect Xevin and he's a turd |
| SGKent wrote: |
| My God! Xevin and I 100% agree |
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4Gears4Tires
Samba Member
Joined: October 08, 2018
Posts: 3042
Location: MD
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| Posted: Thu Mar 18, 2021 9:09 am Post subject: Re: Mounting Lower Radiator Grille |
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I used 4 zip ties around the metal dowels. I didn't even trim them.
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The Carrot
Samba Member
Joined: November 18, 2013
Posts: 173
Location: Ontario, Canada
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| Posted: Thu Mar 18, 2021 9:17 am Post subject: Re: Mounting Lower Radiator Grille |
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I also disliked those spreader clips. Turns out that a #8-32 well nut fits those holes perfectly. The rubber flange of the well nut isolates the fixing points of the grille from the paint so you don’t get those rectangular abrasion marks.
So just to be clear, you insert the well nuts into the holes in the van body, then modify the factory plastic fastener by cutting off the plastic “titties” (thanks Skills) and using only the plastic rectangular washer portion which registers with the rectangular openings in the grille. Run in a stainless 8-32 machine screw and you are set.
Bonus application: you can press a couple of the same size well nuts through the uppermost horizontal slats in the lower grille and use them as an alternate licence plate mount point. The plate located at the far left or right impinges very little on radiator airflow.
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djkeev
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mikemtnbike
Samba Member
Joined: March 26, 2015
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| Posted: Thu Mar 18, 2021 9:39 am Post subject: Re: Mounting Lower Radiator Grille |
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I can't remember exactly what I did to trial and error my way into making common hardware work, but I know it was something and it's worked well because I've forgotten the details. I can take a look later today if you need more ideas, but you got this.
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djkeev
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burleymotorsports
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djkeev
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1988M5
Samba Member
Joined: January 23, 2016
Posts: 674
Location: Santa Cruz, CA
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| Posted: Thu Mar 18, 2021 6:26 pm Post subject: Re: Mounting Lower Radiator Grille |
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Why blink at the solution? Riv-Nut it.
BK
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djkeev
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ALIKA T3
Samba Member
Joined: July 30, 2009
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Location: Honolulu,Hawaii and France
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| Posted: Thu Mar 18, 2021 6:49 pm Post subject: Re: Mounting Lower Radiator Grille |
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The original clips are totally fine and perfect to reuse many times, they didn`t have the pin from factory but a screw, unless you don`t want to ever remove them... It`s not bc it is supplied that you necessarily have to use it 
Why reinvent the wheel? I see your van is not straight anymore, so that would ask for a different solution, but it the van is straight just use a stainless steel screw. You engage the screw a hair into the clip, you pop the clip in the hole through the grille and you tighten, that`s not rocket science.
Part number for the screw N0139741, 5.5x19mm, so whatever similar size from the hardware store in stainless will do.
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djkeev
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djkeev
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ZsZ
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