Got my sexy new GS a week ago and I guess am still getting familiar with the low ground clearance. Hit a curb pretty hard and cracked/blistered my chrome-look grille moldings. Ordered replacements on Rock Auto but could use some advice on replacing them. Is this a matter of prying the old ones out gently and popping in the new ones? Could use some advice on whether this is a fair replacement for a newbie.

Thanks all!

 

Check out my oops thread. Did the same thing. Full front has to come off.

 

https://www.clublexus.com/forums/gs-...ops-ideas.html

 

This is great! Can you share a bit more about how those moldings are removed and reinstalled?

 

Just to be clear - the oops isn’t great - but your fix is! Thank you for making me feel like the situation isn’t hopeless.

 

"chrome-look grille moldings"

The OEM one is metal and actually chrome plated. The one you got off Rock auto is probably plastic and either chrome plated or chrome painted. The chrome paint on the aftermarket one might chip off when rocks hit it, were the oem one is metal and would not chip. Also the possibility of fitment issues when you install it.

Please let us know if it's metal or plastic when you receive it.

 

No worries at all. Once the front bumper is off (there are instructions on this forum), you can remove each molding with around 15-20 screws. Screw the new one in, replace the front end, and you are good to go.

I got the OEM trim piece for around $67. I believe the link is in my thread from another member.

Steve

 

Do you have similar concerns about the aftermarket parts and durability cited by a member in this forum?

 

Not really concerns. But for $67, I decided to go OEM to ensure match with the other trim pieces on the front.

 

I had to order the same piece for 16 gs. The original owner hit the curb the front of mine. Good info.

 

I’ll share info when I receive the part from RockAuto. Particularly interested if it meets the same chromed standard of the OEM part.

 

For those following this thread -- I received the non OEM replacement parts from Rock Auto and they are in fact the chrome and ABS construct of the original. I think we're in good shape!

 

The chrome trim on my 2013 GS is metal and chrome plated.

 

Awesome, so you think this is the same as the oem part? Do you have a link to what you ordered? Also what was the cost?

 

Well it's definitely aftermarket -- here's the part on RockAuto -- note the manufacturer is listed as "various."

https://www.rockauto.com/en/catalog/...+molding,11444