Installing a W108 Hood star

[alabbasi]

I have been messing with this hood star for a couple of hours with no success. I am now conceding defeat and posting to the board.

Is there a trick to this? I tried mounting the hook to the spring first and that didnt work.
So I tried mounting to hook to the star first and that didnt work either.

Very annoyed.

[Tomguy]

I assume you have the base out of the grille and the old star out. This is pretty tricky to do! Here's what to do.

Hook the ornament to the larger side of the clip, then put the clip in the base. Holding by the ornament, put the spring over it. Put the cap on the spring so the clip can go through the slot. Using the edge of a countertop/desk/vise, and holding the base with two thumbs on the ornament so it doesnt fall out, push the cap down so the clip comes out the end - rotate the cap slightly so that the clip doesnt go back through it. Now you can use a pair of pliers to hold the clip and turn the cap so that the clip's hook goes into the small hole. That's pretty much it.

[BradleyP]

Agreed with Tom, but be prepared to potentially bust a star or two on your first time out. Of course I busted the original star, because the new grille frame I found only accepted the smaller bottomed base, so I figured that I'd be smart and swap the star over.

Not patient, nor coordinated enough to use a countertop, I used a fairly large pair of channel locks and some chamois to keep from scarring the base. and then some vice grips once I got the cap down far enough.

Needless to say, what I saved on a grille frame from the 'ol pick-n-pull, ended up to be a $60 mistake.

But, honestly, if any kids rip this one off, and I catch them....well, I'll be posting from a cell in Folsom Prison...