Bent bracket for grill - doesn’t seem to be fixable

[GRK]

Hi Everyone,

I removed the grill from my Big Bend to install new headlights. Everything was going smoothly until it came time to reattach the grill. The passenger side of the grill has a molded plastic piece that holds the grill flush against the headlight. For some reason I couldn’t get the grill to snap back into place. I looked at the driver side and saw a metal bracket welded to the inner part of the fender. It was straight. I looked on the passenger side and saw that it was bent back. Thinking I found the problem I carefully pulled the bracket back to 90 degrees. It’s really flimsy material and there doesn’t seem to be a way to replace it. Short of removing the fender, is there an easier fix? Right now the bracket holds the clip, but I’m afraid that I’ve weakened the metal to the point it’s going to succumb to metal fatigue and break off. I tried to take pics, but it’s hard to get light in there. Would love to know what to do.

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[Brian_B]

I'd say as long as you don't have to bend it again, and your grill is lined up ok, let it ride. It shouldn't really see any stress out and about unless you rear end someone. Or take your grill off again.

These little metal fender tabs are all over to help hold trim and fender liners and such in place. They can be re-welded on (that's an aluminium panel though, so they would probably glue a new one in), but the worst that happens if it does break is you'd start to get a rattle from the front end.

It probably won't break on it's own, unless you go to keep trying to re-align it, or it gets bent again taking the grill back off.

 

[GRK]

I'd say as long as you don't have to bend it again, and your grill is lined up ok, let it ride. It shouldn't really see any stress out and about unless you rear end someone. Or take your grill off again.

These little metal fender tabs are all over to help hold trim and fender liners and such in place. They can be re-welded on (that's an aluminium panel though, so they would probably glue a new one in), but the worst that happens if it does break is you'd start to get a rattle from the front end.

It probably won't break on it's own, unless you go to keep trying to re-align it, or it gets bent again taking the grill back off.

I had no idea you could glue metal to metal. I guess I’m just surprised that something akin to a paper clip is holding the grill on to the front end. It’s pretty malleable now - so having it snap off seems likely. I guess my OCD will just have to deal with a grill that’s lopsided. My poor baby. 🥲

 

[Brian_B]

I had no idea you could glue metal to metal. I guess I’m just surprised that something akin to a paper clip is holding the grill on to the front end. It’s pretty malleable now - so having it snap off seems likely. I guess my OCD will just have to deal with a grill that’s lopsided. My poor baby. 🥲

Take a look at the hex comb support under your hood

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