Several times on several threads, posters --including me -- have asked how to remove the "smile" in the upper grill. To my knowledge, the questions went unanswered... until now. This process isn't particularly difficult, allow about an hour for disassembly, then reassembly. Along the way there are 15 fasteners of four kinds to be dealt with. Necessary tools are: * Flat bladed screw driver * Phillips head screwdriver * Small ratchet with socket to hold a standard short Phillips head bit Notes: Do this in warmish weather, I would guess 60+ deg F. If you've replaced the OEM horns, much of this will be familiar First, remove the flatish black plastic radiator shroud. There are 6 plastic fasteners that require a quarter turn with the Phillips screw driver. Note: Just below the windshield wipers, there is a convenient tray to hold all the fasterers as they are removed. Next, remove the five fasteners that secure the upper edge of the plastic front bumper cover. Three of the fasteners pop up using the flat bladed screwdriver. The other two secure two hood cushions and require the Phillips head screwdriver. Here things look scary, but its not at all that bad. So, with heart in mouth, lift and bend the upper edge of the bumper cover forward near the center. Peer in and you'll see the "smile" is retained with four Phillips head sheet metal screws. Two of the screws are about 6 inches off center on either side. Two of the screws are about 2 inches in from the ends, and are obstructed by some metal brackets. There isn't much room to work, Here's where you need the ratchet cum socket and Phillips bit. The end screws are the more difficult, start there to ensure that your ratchet tool will work. On the drivers side end, reach down inside the bumper cover with your left hand, grab the smile/grill, and pull up and towards you to get at the screw. You have to exert considerable force. You'll be surprised how much the bumper cover will bend, then return unscathed to its original shape. Work the screw out, in 1/6 - 1/8 turn increments. The screws near the center are much easier to remove. Repeat for the center and passenger side end. The "smile" is still retained by two plastic flat flanges positioned about 6 inches off center on both sides. Work one end of the "smile" free. Then pull and wiggle it towards you. It will eventually free itself. Voila! Do what ever needs be done and remount or replace with a new "smile" as appropriate. STOP -- If you are mounting a new "smile," you can make the job easier by using the sheet metal screws to pre-thread the mounting holes before you installl the "smile." Begin the reassembly by getting the plastic flanges in their slots. Push the "smile" on snugly. Mount permanently with the screws, again it will probably require 1/6 - 1/8 turn increments on the ends. The driver side end screw may be some what difficult. Resecure the upper edge of the bumper cover and the radiator shroud. Now, that wasn't so hard, was it?
Once I got up the resolve just to begin, the process was straight forward and, well, linear. No real complications, except perhaps the ratchet/socket/Phillips bit work-around. Pictures didn't seem necessary. I guess that I was mistaken.
