Bought Jobo's MSD front grille for the vRS a while back & a day off today, quite nice day as it happens (well, for the highlands, ie mostly sun but rain & hailstones too) so we tried fitting it.

Long & short, bonnet won't close when I try & gently/not so gently force it down.

I can see by the lil scratches on the bumper under where the grille lies that it's the bumper butting against grille causing this, a rizla between said parts when trying to close confirms this.

Now I know his fitted fine & well, I've seen the pictures, my furby is an 06 model but I doubt there would be a difference? I've checked, rechecked & even got someone else to try fitting it with the same results - no dice.

The grille is already pre-painted so a friends suggestion of using a heat-gun on the back of the grille to try and bend the bottom lip more :eek: fills me with the heebies, so I'm looking for less drastic solutions if possible.

I know some of you folks have the MSD & wondered if anyone else has had this problem & solved it?

Cheers,

Mike

Is there a gap at the top where the grill meets the bonnet?

Nope, no more so than the proper grille, we did try loosening the screws, putting them in in a different order, shoogling it (technical term) one way & the other before tightening it, still won't close! :(

How does the bonnet look compared to the wings?

Does the line of the grill match the lights etc.

Could only spend an hour on it this morning but I'll pop it on after work tomorrow & pick it up from there. Won't be much light left though, I finish at 8. :thumbdwn:

I remember it seemed to fit the lights ok, quite snug but with clearance. Looking at the pic posted the bonnet/grille edge seemed to line up ok but I'll try again to be sure.

How the bonnet looks compared to the wings? Not sure what you mean but it is late for me.

I'll keep you posted though, oh & thanks for the pic!

Mike

It should indicate if the bonnet is sitting lower for some reason.

When I fitted my MSD grill, I did ensure that it was "shoved up tight" against the bonnet whilst I tightened the screws. I can't say I've noticed that the bottom edge is tight against the top of the bumper either. Along the top of the bumper, where the grill closes against, there's a strip of "clear Sellotape", and mine is still intact, which I'll assume means that the grill is not closing directly onto it. The MSD grill is also far more pliable than the standard grill, quite bendy in fact, it should flex a little when you drop the bonnet, though I do remember being quite apprehensive the first time I did this Did you tighten each of the screws a little at a time? I just wonder whether you've slightly distorted the grill by tightening all of the screws "all in one go" - if you know what I mean?

TIP = Never hold a fabia bonnet up by the grill, allways hold it to the side and drop from a few inches to close.

TIP = Never hold a fabia bonnet up by the grill, allways hold it to the side and drop from a few inches to close.

And my dealer told me the exact opposite (unless i miss heard her) only lift it by the botto of the grille and dropit from about a foot. :eek:

did work till i thought mere about it and instead grabbed the metal.

Scott

TIP = Never hold a fabia bonnet up by the grill, allways hold it to the side and drop from a few inches to close.

Quite right! I would not be surprised if the MSD grill broke if you attempted to lift the whole weight of the bonnet by it.

The MSD grill is far lighter than the original one, and I find I have to "drop" the bonnet by 12"-15" in order for it to shut tight, otherwise it just springs up against the catch without latching.

Never got round to it this evening, by the time I'd cooked tea it was getting dark :(

The wings/bonnet look nice & level though.

I have a day off tomorrow so will try the 'tighten each screw a little' approach again, in a different order & check the grille/bonnet gap.

The MSD grill is far lighter than the original one, and I find I have to "drop" the bonnet by 12"-15" in order for it to shut tight, otherwise it just springs up against the catch without latching.

That's what was happening! I did notice the grille was a little on the bendy side, but a little hesitant about a 15" drop, hate to see a newly formed black magic plastic jigsaw puzzle winging its ways away...

Incidentally has anyone with the MSD been able to close the bonnet normally, ie lay it on the latch and push down with 2 hands to lock or is this drop thing 'normal'?

I just drop it down and if it doesn't lock in, nothing a push on the bonnet won't sort

Incidentally has anyone with the MSD been able to close the bonnet normally' date=' ie lay it on the latch and push down with 2 hands to lock ?[/quote']

That isnt normal, you are supposed to drop it down. Pushing on the bonnet could lead to panel damage.

I have noticed that i have to be quite forceful when closing my bonnet. Scary the first few times

That's what was happening! I did notice it was a little on the bendy side' date=' but a little hesitant about a 15" drop.

[/quote']

:P

is this drop thing 'normal'?

Quite :eek:

Ok I admit it! I did edit that 1st quote a little

The Fabia Owner's Manual says:

Closing the bonnet

- Lift the bonnet slightly and unhook the bonnet support. Press the bonnet support into the holder designed to hold it.

- Allow the bonnet to drop from a height of about 30 cm into the lock - bonnet do not press down on it!

The Felicia and Superb bonnets also have to be closed by dropping 30 cm, and the Octavia by 20 - 30 cm. There is a warning in each case against pressing down on the bonnet. I continue to live and learn.

30 cm = 12"

15" normal? Wow, I feel a little ummm under-powered

Methinx I should read the manual again...can't fit the grille today as it's p*ssing it down now :(

That isnt normal, you are supposed to drop it down. Pushing on the bonnet could lead to panel damage.

Quite right, never push on the panels, it's surprising how easy it is to deform them. Make sure the grill is tight to the front of the bonnet, nip it up on the screws, take a deep breath, close your eyes, and drop the bonnet from 12", and it will shut, trust me! Go for it :eek: With my grill fitted, I can still "bend it around a bit", quite flexible, can't do any harm.