Curious to know if others out there noticed what I did when installing the fog light fixtures. The torx head screws are self tapping. When I ran mine in, even before they were snugged up, the posts started to craze (plastic beyond yield). I noticed the factory posts did not show such markings.

 

If I remember correctly when I installed mine I used the stock screws. I believe it said that if you didn't use the spacer that came with the grille that there was a possibility that the tip of the screw might poke through the front of the grille.

 

No, I got that in the right spot. I noticed the three long posts per light are spiral crazed, matching the screw thread pitch.

I would almost bet, most installers don't even look.

 

All these people out there with Street Scenes Center Light Grills and no one has noticed this or not?

 

i do not think they molded the posts to spec OR the pretapped holes were made with a smaller tap or screw then what the factory screws size is, unless you see cracking i do not think it will be much of a problem unless someone was looking behind the grill, i think that is why no one really notices it

 

It's been a while , but if I remember correctly , I used the OEM screws because the new ones seemed to big ...

 

the grill is probably made of a cheaper grade of plastic as well. honestly if no one is looking behind your grill i wouldnt worry about it. the stress is probably making it stronger right now ayway.

 

Yep, it happened with mine. That is why I used the factory screws for the new grill. When I used the torx ones, the plastic started to go white, and I though I was going to ruin my brand new grill. The factory ones worked fined.

 

x 2 - same here

as for the quality of the plastic on the SS grill, it is excellent.

 

Thanks all for responding.

Well I did use the factory Torx screws. No others came with the kit or are referred to in the instructions. Other than the lamp jumper cables, the only other thing that came with the kit were the white spacers which the instructions say are black.

The mounting posts are predrilled (more likey formed in the injection mold) , and not tapped (factory grills are not pretapped either and don't craze when you install the torx screws).

My concern was not cosmetic, just whether or not the plastic had given enough so that after a year or two the lights aren't going to fall off against the radiator because the posts are weakened.

 

i am amazed that the stress cracks are so distinct. i would personally give the manufacturer a call to see if this is normal, if they say it is. i def. wouldnt worry about it. if they arent i would disciss getting a new one. they may ask you to email them pitured or something. The last thing i would do is just give the lights a godd jiggle while mounted, see of any of the posts break, if they dont. i would just drive it.

 

I did just that on Friday afternoon when I installed the thing. Street Scene were very wishy washy about the whole thing. Like its probably okay, we think. If i return I have to do so thru the retailer. I was fishing the forum to see if anyone else observed the crazing (over stress of the plastic)

 

well i am ordering one soon so i will post up if i see this happening

 

When you get your package, look for a date stamp on the box. Mine was October 06.

 

My kit is supposed to get here This Friday......now I have something else to worry about...lol

 

Don't worry about it , just use the factory screws , they work fine ...

 

Now THAT us curious...... ???
instructions say street scene on them??

maybe this was an early run kit that sat on a shelf??

 

I asked street scene about the screws. They indicate screws only come with the V6 kit. The V8 kit relies on the factory screws.

Mine was boxed in October. Street Scene indicate they have about 600 sold and only 1% return rate.

 

Norm

Keep us posted on your install. Maybe mine is a fluke.

Note: to get the LH lamp connector under the sheetmetal takes a bit of effort, but once there clears fine. You will see in the instructions.

 

take a look at my write up on the grille. I received the first demo for TMS and did a write up on it. I used the stock screws and 2 screws did stretch the plastic in the front of the grill so SS included the spacers after that. To answer the first question, yes, installing the screws did cause the plastic to stretch and crack in some spots. I recommended that they either include different screws or increase the diameter size of the holes, however I think the answer I received was the stress lines would not cause any abnormal wear on the part. Which is true, no issues with the grill yet.