I have zero complaints about the way my totally original one was put together. I think it's better to paint the nose off the car anyway. You can do a much better job that way especially on the egg-crate grille. Being able to spray the grille from the backside helps a lot in getting enough paint on it.I guess they made revisions over the years. I like the newer way, I can install the complete headlight assembly after painting. With the nose on the car . Check with Honest Charley’s, salesman John Sullivan , he may have a solution to your problem .