The R107 grille with its large three-pointed star is the car’s signature. Removing it is necessary for some repairs and for cleaning, and the star itself is a common replacement part.
How the grille comes off
The grille is held by fasteners that are reached with the hood open. On most cars:
- Open the hood fully.
- Remove the screws or clips that hold the top of the grille.
- Tilt the top of the grille forward.
- Lift the grille out of its lower mounts.
Work carefully; the grille’s chrome surround and plastic parts are easily scratched or cracked. Fastener details vary by year, so check the factory manual. See opening the hood.
Grille styles by year
The grille design was updated during production. Early and late cars differ in details such as the chrome surround, the grille bars and the mounting. US and European cars may also differ. Order a replacement by model and year to get the correct one.
Star replacement
The large star in the center of the grille is held by clips or a mounting plate from behind. To replace it:
- Remove the grille.
- Release the clips or fasteners holding the star from behind.
- Fit the new star and secure it.
Replacement stars are available from Mercedes and specialists. Check that the star matches your grille style.
Cleaning
Clean the grille with a soft brush and car shampoo. Use chrome polish on the chrome parts and a plastic protectant on the black parts. With the grille out, clean the radiator fins and check the radiator for damage.
Parts
Grilles, stars, grille surrounds and mounting clips are available new and used. Used grilles are a good source for clean original parts.
Quick answers
- Is the grille hard to remove? No, but it requires care to avoid damage.
- Can I swap a late grille onto an early car? Sometimes, but mounting details differ; check before buying.
- Why does my star wobble? Broken clips or a loose mounting.
- Should I check the radiator while the grille is out? Yes, it is a good time to clean and inspect it.
- Can the grille be repainted? The black sections can be refinished with care; the chrome must be replated or replaced.
- Do I need to remove the grille to clean the radiator? It makes it much easier.
