Hi,

I have an 83 300D, and someone broke my star. I have gotten a replacement, and read up all the instructions on this forum regarding replacing it, but I cannot for the life of me figure how to do it. Even the "simple way by brian which is the following:

"Guys, Guys -- I believe there's a much easier way. If your "stars" are anything like my 1986 2.3-16V star, then you all are going about it the HARD way. The star assembly basically "sandwiches" the grille frame using spring pressure between the star (exterior) and its formed sheetmetal "bellhousing" (interior; which encloses the spring). No need to remove the spring retaining "bar" and disassemble to remove your stars. Get a pair of pliers and grab the end of the bellhousing; pull up to extend the spring and twist the entire assembly 90-degrees (you'll know which way to twist as it'll only go one direction). This will line up the bellhousing with the keyhole cutout in the grille frame. Wiggle gently and your entire star assembly will come out intact. To install, just do the opposite -- feed the assembly through the keyhole, pull on the bellhousing and twist 90-degrees"

Doesnt make sense to me. I pulled up, and the actual star piece came up but even then, the bent over end on the spring extends down almost 1cm, such that Id really have to yank hard on the spring to get it up that high, and when I did, I have no clue how Id get the spring through the little hole on the new star properly in order to get it back in.

I would REALLY appreciate some simple step by step instructions written so that even an idiot like myself can figure it out, because as of now Im looking at having to take it to a dealer because I cant figure how to replace it.
Any help is most appreciated.
Thanks

JMH

Follow the directions you posted while looking at the pictures in order. Never mind the grille shell is sitting in my lap, it looks the same on the car, only over head.

1

2

3

4

and lastly 5

Reverse procedure to install the new one.

Hope this helps.

__________________
Mike Tangas
'73 280SEL 4.5 (9/72)- RIP
Only 8,173 units built from 5/71 thru 11/72

'02 CLK320 Cabriolet - wifey's mid-life crisis

2012 VW Jetta Sportwagon TDI...at least its a diesel

Non illegitemae carborundum.

Thank you so much for the pictures, it clarifies it completely, I replaced my star no problem after lookign at the pics... Now hopefully noone will steal this star...
Thanks a million!

JMH