Removing Headlight Assy
#1
Removing Headlight Assy
For future reference, here are pics of the three (3) headlight assy attachment points:
The first two are easy to locate and unfasten.
The third is a torqx screw up underneath the front fenderwell. Since I had the liner and fascia off, I thought I would snap a few pics in order to help people locate this attachment point. With the fascia in place, removing this bolt is pretty much a process done by braille; however, knowing what the parts are underneath can help.
The torqx bolt is located at the top of the black bracket in the fourth pic over.
The first two are easy to locate and unfasten.
The third is a torqx screw up underneath the front fenderwell. Since I had the liner and fascia off, I thought I would snap a few pics in order to help people locate this attachment point. With the fascia in place, removing this bolt is pretty much a process done by braille; however, knowing what the parts are underneath can help.
The torqx bolt is located at the top of the black bracket in the fourth pic over.
Last edited by H20boy; 06-14-2010 at 05:24 PM. Reason: big pics made from the thumbs
The following 4 users liked this post by GordoCatCar:
#6
#7
It's supposedly possible, but that bottom bolt is an absolute b*tch. I was trying to do it the other day. I could feel the bolt. I could get the torx into it, but then it kept slipping out of my hand and falling into the space under the light. It's completely done by feel, and you're in a very awkward position. I'm glad I wasn't able to get it out, because if I had, putting it back in would have been harder than Peter North.
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coach enrique (10-24-2012)
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#8
But... if you want to try, turn the steering wheel away from whichever light you want to fix (in other words, turn the wheel to the right if you're working on the left headlight). That gives you room to get to a little access panel at the front of the wheel well. Twist the center bit of the access panel 1/4 turn, then grab the tab on the bottom of the panel and pull up and out. The panel will come right out.
Then, reach up in there and feel around. Don't mind the spiders. You have to stick your arm in almost up to the shoulder to reach the bolt. There is only one downward facing bolt in that general area, so feel around with your fingers. The bolt isn't six-sided. It's round, but it has a hole in the middle for a torx bit. Once you think you've found the bolt, stick the bit back up in there attached to a screwdriver handle and try to unscrew it. By the way, it is a different size than the bolt on top. I was pissed when I finally found the bolt, got the bit into the hole, then realized I had the wrong size bit.
Look at the pic on my car below, and then look at the location of the bolt on Gordo's pic of the bolt location above. That gives you an idea how far you have to reach up in there to get to the bolt.
Then, reach up in there and feel around. Don't mind the spiders. You have to stick your arm in almost up to the shoulder to reach the bolt. There is only one downward facing bolt in that general area, so feel around with your fingers. The bolt isn't six-sided. It's round, but it has a hole in the middle for a torx bit. Once you think you've found the bolt, stick the bit back up in there attached to a screwdriver handle and try to unscrew it. By the way, it is a different size than the bolt on top. I was pissed when I finally found the bolt, got the bit into the hole, then realized I had the wrong size bit.
Look at the pic on my car below, and then look at the location of the bolt on Gordo's pic of the bolt location above. That gives you an idea how far you have to reach up in there to get to the bolt.
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XK8Paul (10-07-2011)
#9
While I am certain it is possible to remove the headlight assy, while the car is resting on the ground, by reaching through the fender liner access panel. The much easier approach would be to lift the front end; remove the wheel(s); and pull the fender liner. Using this method, access to the troublesome underneath bolt is not a problem.
#10
yah, agree with you there gordo, that access panel isn't good for too much except looking inside. When I had to remove the entire fender well liner to get to my sway bar bushing, it opened up the entire front end for access. Just get the fasteners back in the right spots, they're different, and I goofed up one side in haste.
#11
I might give this a go this weekend. I just have to reseat the surrounding gasket on the light ever so slightly so it tucks under the sheetmetal. Maybe I'll just loosen all the bolts and see if it will move into place. But my luck never goes that way and it will end up being a 6 hour job and some busted knuckles LOL!
Many thanks for the pics, a tremendous help!
Many thanks for the pics, a tremendous help!
#14
#16
@cav I believe that you can now view the pics you were looking for.
@GordoCatCar
It is related to a New Member restriction, sadly neccessary to help protect the forum from Spam. In order to prevent Spammers from imediately posting their 'usually ****' pics we had to restrict access to certain areas.
Unfortunately this also affects the good guys. OK so they can't post pics, but they also can not view embedded files either.
There is now a short forum qualifying period, related to time and a minimum post count.
@GordoCatCar
It is related to a New Member restriction, sadly neccessary to help protect the forum from Spam. In order to prevent Spammers from imediately posting their 'usually ****' pics we had to restrict access to certain areas.
Unfortunately this also affects the good guys. OK so they can't post pics, but they also can not view embedded files either.
There is now a short forum qualifying period, related to time and a minimum post count.
#17
Im trying to replace a broken lense on my xkr. Ive got about 3 hours into it and still cant get to the 2 clips and little bolt on the botom. I hate to take the bumper off and turn it into an all day job unless I have to. I just joined the fourm today but am unable to view the posted photos. anybody have links to any other similar sites with directions/ photos?
JAke
JAke
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XK8Paul (10-07-2011)
#19
Im trying to replace a broken lense on my xkr. Ive got about 3 hours into it and still cant get to the 2 clips and little bolt on the botom. I hate to take the bumper off and turn it into an all day job unless I have to. I just joined the fourm today but am unable to view the posted photos. anybody have links to any other similar sites with directions/ photos?
JAke
JAke
Total time to remove the fascia is only about 45 minutes. Way less than you have spent so far struggling to reach the fasteners.
Raise the front of car up on jacks stands
Take the wheels off.
Remove the fender liner fasteners, or at least the front half so you can push them aside.
Pull out a half dozen reusable plastic pop rivets under the front spoiler
and then remove the three (3) bolts on each side of fascia holding it to the upper fender
Last edited by GordoCatCar; 12-03-2010 at 03:46 PM.
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XK8Paul (10-07-2011)
#20
Thanks you guys, youve been a great help so far! Unfortunately I just now checked the fourm after i did it the hard way and took the light out by fabricating a couple special tools to unclip the clips and remove the bolts. The old light is put and the new one placed in but im unable to get most of the clips, mainly the sides and bottom clips down. Ill spend another 30 on it trying to see if i cant get them to snap in otherwise ill go get that bumper and wheels off.
The pictures are great, Ill most certainly tackle more of my own repairs in the future by reaserching on the fourms here and looking for guidance!
The pictures are great, Ill most certainly tackle more of my own repairs in the future by reaserching on the fourms here and looking for guidance!