Installing Front Challenge Grills in a 360

Sorry, I did a search for this, but do you have to take the bumper off to install these?

 

Yes, only way to mount the back adaptor/spacer in there.

 

Bumper comes off. This is what I've been told. It's a pretty easy job I've heard.

 

Take a couple of pic during the process if possible. I've always wondered how hard it was to switch those out.

 

I have a set in the garage. Twisted my ankle or I would have gone after it over the weekend. If I can crouch down, ankle still really swollen, I will do it next weekend and post some pics.

 

If you could post pictures and any tips you have along the way, that would be really appreciated. Good luck with the ankle!

 

Removing the front bumper is (as VRSurgeon would put it) monkey easy.
It literally takes longer to jack the front end of the car off the ground and remove the front tires than it does to take the front bumper off.
Somebody posted a thread somewhere on here with a procedure + pictures.

After performing this prodecure no less than 10 times, I would recommend one additional step. Lay down some blue painters tape in a few places on the bumper where it meets the car. In the center, near the two sides and where the bumper ends (near the front wheel). Place a six inch piece on the bumper and another piece right above it on the car. Then, grab a pencil or a pen and gently draw a line on the tape, holding the pen straight up, using the car as a guide. Also, draw a couple of vertical lines on each of the pieces of tape such that the line starts on the upper piece of tape and ends on the lower piece of tape. On the ends where the bumper meets the wheel well, you only need to draw the vertical lines. I am realizing as I write this that it would probably help big time if I at least included some pictures. The point here is that you are drawing alignment lines in several places so that when you put the bumper back on, you can ensure that it will be in the same position as when you took it off. If you don't do this, you'll be pulling your hair out, second guessing where you thought the bumper was to begin with. Trust me on this.

 

Want to help on Saturday?

 

Good idea Software Drone.

I have also done this a number of times myself, it is not a big deal.

I like to pull the front wheels off, although, I have heard of people doing it by just turning lock to lock to get the front fender liner out.

Once the front wheels are removed you take out the front third of the fender liner, it's held in by phillips head screws. With that out of the way there are two 10mm (I think, maybe 12mm) nuts that hold the bumper to the slide adjuster just on the inside of the opening. Do this on both sides. Don't forget pull the lights out of the side markers or unplug them, I think its easier to just rotate the connector out of the light itself.

Next, remove the phillips screws that hold the bottom of the bumper to the front undertray.

Lay a couple of towels on the ground so when you remove the bumper you have something to set it on, they are rather cumbersome and front heavy, they tend to roll over on the front side.


Now open the trunk, you have to unbuckle the tool kit and then remove the carpeted panel on the front side of the compartment, one the center panel is out of the way pull the side panels back to expose the four nuts that hold the main bumper support on, I remember them being 17mm. once these are out you can slide the bumper straight off, two people make it easier although not required.

Now you cant set it on the towels and do your grill swap, the reinstall is just a reverse of above.

 

I believe there are (or may be) some shims that help to align the bumper so that the gap with the front end is even all around. Be sure to note these and replace them exactly as they were. (I've never done this, but this is what I heard, or read).

 

Your note reminds me of another trick. Use the blue painters tape to tape all the shims in place on each side. This works for both the front and rear bumpers.

 

Will this be a libation enhanced event?

 

Is there any other kind? LOL
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If doing this solo:

-I would laydown a blanket underneath the bumper front section before pulling it off (has tendency to flip nose forward).
-Add tape to fender edges and bumper corners (toward wheel area) not only for alignment but also accidental scratch as you are balancing and mounting the bumper back on.
-Careful to line up the spacers/adaptors on both side to radiator openings before pushing in when reinstall.

I also don't remove the wheels as the car does settle differently once dropped and bumper gaps and angle changes slightly. So better to adjust everything as settled...

 

Definitely some great precautionary tips.

 

Is there any other kind?

 

2 person job

 

Here's an excellent write up by Voicey.
Alan

Ferrari 360 Front Bumper Removal | Aldous Voice

 

That's a great write-up. That blog is such a great resource!

 

I did it with the help of my indie mechanic -- took about an hour. What grilles are you using -- pattern parts or OEM?
Alan

 

I haven't really decided yet. My guess is OEM is probably not worth the price compared to aftermarket?

 

The only significant difference is the framing around the tow hook hole, the aftermarkets I have used have a flat piece of metal around the hole, the factory is made from the same wire as the crosshatching in the grill.

Aftermarkets are half the price, and the savings is worth the difference IMO.

 

The aftermarkets I just got have a wire not a the flat metal.

 

Any suggestions as to where to buy them?

 

Deal!