Front bumper removal and blackout grille install by kwanja_a3

By diyauto
( 5 )

7 minute read

Front bumper removal and blackout grille install – A3 


Compliments of kwanja_a3 @ www.fourtitude.com


For your convenience, I've documented my steps in removing the front bumper to swap out the OEM chrome/grey S-Line grille for the OEM blackout grille and plate holder.

Audi A3 OEM chrome/grey S-Line grille

This is how I did it, although I'm sure there are many different ways.

If you're wondering if it's necessary to remove the front bumper to swap the grilles, YES, it is necessary, you'll see why.

Tools used:
Torx-25
Torx-30
ratchet and 10mm socket
jack and two stands
flat head screwdriver
philips head (a.k.a. "+" head) screwdriver

Time used:
A little over 3 hours at a fairly leisurely pace, giving myself time to wipe down some dirty crevaces and stumble through the initial bumper removal, as I didn't know exactly which screws needed to be removed (i.e. a bit of trial and error)

Note:
steps 4) to 11) are explained for one side of the car only, the other side is simply a mirror image. I always did both sides before moving to the next step.

Process:
1)Put down something soft under the front of your car, both for your own comfort and to keep the bumper from being scratched when you remove it.
2) Jack up the front of the car high enough so you can easily manoeuvre under there.
3) Pop the hood and get to work! Remove the THREE screws just at the mouth of the engine bay.

Audi A3 torx screws for grille

4) Slide under the car and remove the FOUR torx screws (all torx screws are size 25 from here on) that follow the line connecting two plastic under body pieces.

Audi A3 bottom torx screws

5) Remove the torx screws closer to the front bottom of the bumper. THREE screws in total.

Audi A3 underside torx screws

Note: green "C" is in the middle of bumper, so no mirror image for this one screw.

6) The front underbody piece should now be loose. Pull it out of there.

Audi A3 underside bumper

7) With that piece removed, you can now see green "D". Remove it.

Audi A3 bumper screws

8) Now to the wheel well. Remove these FIVE screws pictured.

Audi A3 fender well bumper screws

Audi A3 bumper fender well screws

9) These next TWO screws don't need to be removed, but I did just so that I could get easier access to some screws in the upcoming steps. This one is the infamous "rubbing" screw that many of you have experience with, hehe. It's at the arch of the wheel well.

Audi A3 fender screws

And this one below is near the arch of the inner wheel well.

Audi A3 inner wheel well screws

10) The bumper is almost off! Pull back the wheel well liner to get access to these TWO bad boys, blue "A" and "B". You have to access them from below what's labeled.

Audi A3 bumper bolts

After you remove these two, the red arrow in the picture above is pointing to the 10mm screw, so break out the ratchet and 10mm socket to get at this screw. You may or may not need a socket extension piece to reach it. I used one to make things easier.

10mm socket

11) That should do it, IIRC. Look at the picture below, grab hold around the red dot area and carefully pull in the direction of the arrow. Make sure there's something soft on the ground beneath the bumper.

Audi A3 removing front bumper

A different angle of blue "A" and "B" after removal of the bumper.

Audi A3 fender bumper bolts

12) Pull out fog light connectors so that you're not constrained when trying to pop out/in the grilles.

Audi A3 bumper removed

13) There are a couple philips head screws holding the grille to the bumper, remove those. Take your flat head screwdriver to help you push against the many tabs to separate the grille from the bumper. Let me warn you, this was a b!tch, you have to use force, but you also don't want to break anything. Just be patient. This step alone took me about half an hour!

Audi A3 grille removal

14) Go get one, you deserve it!

Heineken beer

15) Out with the old, in with the new!

Audi A3 chrome and black out grille

Pop in the blackout grille. This is a million times easier than the removal! Make sure all your tabs pop into place. Screw in the philips head screws onto the blackout grille where they were removed from the original grille.

Audi A3 blackout grille installed

16) Once you've double checked everything, mount the bumper back onto the car. It should be able to sit in place on its own (with no screws) if properly set.

17) go through steps 12) to 5) in decending order to get all those damn screws back into place and to re-mount your bumper.

18) Test the bumper to make sure it's secure and check that there are no loose torx screws left lying around.

19) Put the car back on the ground and enjoy!

Audi A3 blackout grille

Audi A3 blackout grille


 


Comments

The blackout is sharp!

Posted by Diggymart on 2/17/20 @ 9:14:47 PM

The blackout is sharp!

Posted by Diggymart on 2/17/20 @ 9:14:34 PM