Grill screws and washers - location[?]

[66andBlue]

I am putting my front grill together again and while I know where the 11 screws go I don't remember where the 4 thick, flat washers go (see picture).
The most logical positions are the 4 "corners", that is, top and bottom of barrel and on each end of the middle bars. But are they on the inside of the oval frame (kind of visible) or on the outside (and hidden)? :?:
Download Attachment: Grill_screws.jpg
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Revised picture added 2-18-07 in response to waltklatt's comment.

[Raymond]

I had to go look just now (it's been a year and a half) but I put mine on the outside of the barrel for just the reason you mentioned.  I can't see them except the top one with the hood open and looking in from behind.

Ray
'68 280SL 4-spd Coupe

[waltklatt]

Alfred,
The chrome plated washers in the black circle you drew go in between the star barrel and the grille surround frame.  These act as adjustable spacers to achieve the alignment necessary to line up the chrome against the long ridge that runs from headlight to headlight(almost) on the painted surface.  You can use one on top or two or three-depending on how much of an alignment you need.  Some grilles have none, whilst others have one or several.  Again it all depends on the alignment.
In your picture, you indicate the magenta asterisk (*) screws as for the ends of the wings, that is not correct.  These two screws go to the top and bottom of the barrel, to screw into the barrel to hold the frame surround(these are the screws that hold the adjustment washers as noted above.  But the nuts and washers next to them go to the ends of the wings with the small 8mm bolts indicated with the red asterisk (*).
Hope this helps.  Also will help to put some black electrical tap between the grille surround and the painted metal surface to act as a cushion.
Walter
1967 220SL-diesel

[66andBlue]

Walter,
thanks for explaining the function of these washers/spacers.  
Now it makes sense to me that they are chromed because they are visible and not hidden. In addition all 6 split washers have a place. They way I had described it the short screws would not accept a spacer plus a split washer, and 2 were left over.  I have replaced the picture in my original post with a revised one showing the location of all parts.
My car also had a cloth tape glued to the chassis to act as a cushion as you described. A lot of it was also used in the rain gutters in in the doors and other places to prevent rattling.  I now use waterproof bandage tape as sold in drug stores whenever I need to replace it.  It looks very similar and sticks very well even when it gets hot.  But of course, electrical tape works too.

Alfred
1966 blue 230SL automatic

[mbz.280sl]

What exactly holds the grill star in place?

Otto
1969 280SL, Manual, AC,  Sand Beige

[66andBlue]

quote:Originally posted by mbz.280sl

What exactly holds the grill star in place?

Otto,
The star is a 2-piece item. The part visible from the front of the car is attached to a ring at all 3 legs (see lower left frame in picture). The ring is held in place on the front (top) of the central barrel with 2 screws (marked with a green dot). The holes for these screws in the barrel are right next to the ones that attach the barrel to the outer frame (marked in magenta). The back half of the star is screwed to the front half with a single large screw (marked with a blue dot).

Alfred
1966 blue 230SL automatic