Spring mount for Grill

[bartz paul]

Emery:

I've been using nylock nuts on the grill studs and have not experienced
looseness since. I make sure that I don't torque down the nuts so that they
don't break the grill flange. To me, the springs are a Rude Goldberg way to
do it and they intrude into the space behind the grill. Of course, to each
his own.

Paul Bartz

From: EMERYSTORA [mailto:EMERYSTORA]
Sent: Wednesday, August 18, 1999 3:54 PM
Subject: GMC: Spring mount for Grill

Patrick had suggested the use of springs for the GMC grille instead of the
bolts that are constantly shifting and coming loose.

I found that many home centers have a display board of springs. Number 190
which is 3/8"OD and about 6-1/4" long works well. I drilled a 1/8" hole in
the bottom opening lip on each side. 6-1/2" from the edge of the opening.
The same thing was done to the lip at the top of the top opening. Using
small "S" hooks at each end of the springs, one end going into the holes
drilled into the grill and the other hooking on the radiator supports. For
example the top left one (looking at the radiator from the front) hooks just

behind the radiator cap. When stretched, the springs are about 15 to 17
inches in length. I then black spray painted the S hooks that were hooked
into the grille so that they would not show.

I did this modification prior to going to Calif and can report that it held
my grille in place with no problems. I used to have to loosen and retighten

the lock nuts after a trip because the grille would shift. This
modification
also allows one to very quickly remove the grille to clean the radiator,
etc.

Emery Stora

 

[john wright]

Guys,
When I rebuild my grill this spring I made sure that I also repaired the
guide tabs at each screw. I then used a 2" square of rubber tire behind
the grill to screw the grill to the front. Works great and almost no cost.

J.R. Wright
GMC GreatLaker
77 Eleganza II
Michigan

>

>
> don't break the grill flange. To me, the springs are a Rude Goldberg way to
> do it and they intrude into the space behind the grill. Of course, to each
> his own.
>
> Paul Bartz >>
>
> Paul - I also was using a nylon insert lock nut and the grille still would
> slip and the grille would constantly shift to where the nuts would be loose.
> I have an aftermarket fiberglas grill so that may be the difference. The
> attaching bolts that mounted into the grill were not all at the right angles
> and some had gobs of reinforcing plastic.
>
> I don't think the springs intrude into the space behind the grille because
> they go up to the top of the radiator and down to the bottom and cannot be
> seen from the front.
>
> It works for me. Just wanted to pass on my suggestion to those who might be
> having the same problem.
>
> Actually I think Rube Goldberg has some great ideas. He was ahead of his
> time.
>
> Emery Stora
> 77 Kingsley
> Santa Fe, NM