How to remove “sombrero” from grill? (6 Viewers)

[kcjaz]

I wanted to swap the sombreros between to grill to get the better one on my truck but I ended up breaking the plastic pin trying to pry the retainer off.

Clearly there must be a non-destructive technique to do this. Anyone know it?

 

[FerrisBueller]

You have to use something to slightly pry apart those metal flanges on the captive washer, I used a fine-tipped punch from Home Depot. You just need to be able to get something in those little cracks to pry apart, so you aren't prying against the plastic. After small adjustments, it will be loose enough to just slide off. Once off, you can just bend them back in where they're supposed to be so you can install back onto the sombrero badge.

Here's the one I used, it's pretty fine-tipped (even though it didn't look like it in the store):

 

[FerrisBueller]

Actually, I think it was at Lowes. I think it was this Irwin awl:

https://www.lowes.com/pd/IRWIN-Irwin-Scratch-Awl/1003172376

 

[kcjaz]

Actually, I think it was at Lowes. I think it was this Irwin awl:

https://www.lowes.com/pd/IRWIN-Irwin-Scratch-Awl/1003172376

Thanks. Unfortunately I broke the pin on the good emblem. I haven’t looked but I assume you can buy new emblems rather than buying a whole new grill.

 

[ryanCA]

What grille you going with?

 

[FerrisBueller]

Thanks. Unfortunately I broke the pin on the good emblem. I haven’t looked but I assume you can buy new emblems rather than buying a whole new grill.

Last time I checked, the emblems were crazy expensive, even on eBay. So far my emblem has stayed on without problem, with just two of the pins (I also broke off the first pin I had tried to remove). That was a couple years ago for me.

 

[kcjaz]

What grille you going with?

OEM. Not changing that. I plan on painting it.

 

[kcjaz]

Last time I checked, the emblems were crazy expensive, even on eBay. So far my emblem has stayed on without problem, with just two of the pins (I also broke off the first pin I had tried to remove). That was a couple years ago for me.

I checked EB Toyota Parts and yeah, the discounted price for just the emblem was $329. Crazy. The whole OEM grill is $275 and looks like it comes with the emblem though I can’t tell for sure.

 

[daneo]

Maybe I'm late, but can you just snip the retainers and order fresh ones?

 

[kcjaz]

Maybe I'm late, but can you just snip the retainers and order fresh ones?

I think those little metal retains are easy to find so destroying those isn’t a big issue. They are tight so “sniping” would be difficult. I tried prying up with a trim tool which was stupid because that’s prying agains how the retainer is intended to stay on. Like removing a screw with a hammer claw. Bending the tabs open before prying up is the way.

 

[hb848]

Maybe I'm late, but can you just snip the retainers and order fresh ones?

Yes that’s what I did. Amazon

The plastic tabs break so easily so be careful removing the old retainers!

 

[loup407]

Yes that’s what I did. Amazon

The plastic tabs break so easily so be careful removing the old retainers!

View attachment 3497138

View attachment 3497139

I think those little metal retains are easy to find so destroying those isn’t a big issue. They are tight so “sniping” would be difficult. I tried prying up with a trim tool which was stupid because that’s prying agains how the retainer is intended to stay on. Like removing a screw with a hammer claw. Bending the tabs open before prying up is the way.

The previous owner of my 2014 used epoxy instead of those clips. Turns a small project into a big one.