10-12-06, 13:25 GMT+10#1
Hey all.
Here is a Basic guide on how to remove your old headlights and then re-install your new headlights. It'll show you where the screws are and what tools are needed in simple steps. Hope this helps
[i]Estimated Time:[/I]
Make it up as you go along person - 90mins (Me)
Someone with a Fair Idea - 45 - 60mins
good knowledge - 30 mins give or take
TOOLS:
The tools you need are shown in the pictures below, but a socket set, shifter, screwdriver and a flathead are all the tools you need.
Step by Step Instruction on how I did it
Step 1: To make sure nothing "shocking" happens, disconnect your battery.
Step 2: [Eyelids] For calais owners, manually wind up the eyelids til they are fully open, this can be done using the knob sitting directly behind the eyelids
Step 3: [Moulds] To be able to get the headlights out, you will need to remove the whole top step of moulds. The bumpers do not need to be taken off so that saves a bit of time. To get the moulds off, there are two bolts that are screwed into the mould from underneath the car. To get them, use the tool i have used in the photo and turn anti-clockwise. Mine was very hard to undo so i lubed it up with a bit of wd40 and then it eventually came un-stuck.
There is also two little bits of hard plastic that hold the moulds in place aswell and to take them out, jsut simply bash them with sumthing hard and they will jsut pop out
After get all that done, fiddle around with the mould and it will eventually slide out, not with ease by the way but it does come out!
Step 4: [Side Mould] once the top mould is completely off, set it aside somewhere so you dont stand on it. To get the side moulds off, there are two screws that hold them in place, one is very easy and is located at the end of it where the wheel arches are (see below pic)
And one is quite hard as you have to go back under the car. It is suituated right in the middle of the mould, so once you can establish where the centre is jsut look for a screw in that area and bingo (see pic below also for the correct screw) It is also fairly hard to manuver under the car as theres not much space so if you are skinny like me you should have no problem.
Step 5: [Removing Grill] Very simple dont need a pic for that, two screws, one in each top corner. I didnt have a grill on mine but it is possible to get them on/off with out the mould on
Step 6: [Undo-ing Screws for Headlights] With all the little bits and pieces out of the way, its time to start on the headlights. Each headlight is held on by 4 screws, two on the top
and two from the front
once you have taken them out, your headlight (with blinker attached) will be able to slide out. It is a VERY tight fit so be careful not to scratch your bumper. It is probably a good idea to disconnect all wires and what not while the lights are still in the car as they dont reach out too far. It is a good idea to replace all globes while they are out of the car, and check all wiring to see if anything needs replacing. If you want you can also give the headlight area a clean and replace all screws with new ones to complete the new look.
Step 7: [Putting back together] Once the headlights have been taken out you can put your new ones in and hook everything up. Before you start putting your moulds on, it is a good idea to test to make sure everything is working properly so you dont have to take everything off again if you made a mistake.
Make sure you put the Grill on AFTER you have put the top mould back on, unless you have two people. The clips get in the way of the grill when you are trying to put it back in and makes life difficult, but with two people you can probably get away with it.
Problems:
Figured since i wrote that stuff already i might as well right some problems i had.
Wearing goggles is probably a good idea under the car, as everytime i turned the screw i would get dirt in my eye.
I was missing a couple screws that should've been there, so be sure to have a few extra's lying around.
Make sure the headlights are even before you put the moulds on, i found out the hard way.
You probably dont have to remove the side moulds BUT it is easier if you do, they only take a couple minutes to take off.
Getting the moulds off and the globes back in are probably the hardest things to do. Also if you have a mate help you out it will half your time. My Dad helped me but we both had no idea thats why we took so long and try pick a day where its not so hot aswell. After saying all that it went fairly smooth for me.
Here are some random pictures i took along the way aswell to show the difference, before and after, one new one old one.
If you have any other input on the matter write it down below, the more info the better.
Thanks to PSI_wagon and Wyndup for helping me out in the threads. If anyone needs a hand doing this themselves, Drop me a P.M.
Cheers, -jason
Some original photos have not been recovered yet.
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