How to remove headlights (E53 pre-facelift)

RoShamBo · Post by **RoShamBo** » Thu Jun 04, 2015 8:29 pm

So my new angel eyes headlights arrived today and after checking on here and a couple of other places decided to fit them.
I have removed the lower trim, removed the 4 bolts and disconnected the wires to the bulbs, so the headlight units are free to come out.....except they wont lol.
No matter how I twist, pull, angle them - they catch at the top and / or bottom and wont slide out.

Is there a knack ? Do I need to remove the front bumper ? (everything I have read says not necessary on a pre-facelift)

Any experiences welcome !

Ro.

Steamyrotter · Post by **Steamyrotter** » Thu Jun 04, 2015 9:31 pm

They should just come out through the front...
A small jiggle should be all you need...

RoShamBo · Post by **RoShamBo** » Thu Jun 04, 2015 9:52 pm

Gotta be doing something wrong...there doesn't seem to be enough room at the top or bottom to get them out. 4 bolts right (2 top and 2 bottom) disconnect wiring - nothing else needs to be taken off the lights to make them.....smaller ?
I have twisted, angled and cursed - still wont come out !

Given up now, lost the light (daylight not headlight)

Ro.

kjb1 · Post by **kjb1** » Thu Jun 04, 2015 11:02 pm

done this many a time on e53, don't be frightened to give a pull. They will come straight out!!! really easy genuinely.

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kjb1 · Post by **kjb1** » Thu Jun 04, 2015 11:09 pm

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=Ah5oCH0yFRg

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Steamyrotter · Post by **Steamyrotter** » Fri Jun 05, 2015 8:00 am

[quote="RoShamBo"]
Gotta be doing something wrong...there doesn't seem to be enough room at the top or bottom to get them out. 4 bolts right (2 top and 2 bottom) disconnect wiring - nothing else needs to be taken off the lights to make them.....smaller ?
I have twisted, angled and cursed - still wont come out !

Given up now, lost the light (daylight not headlight)

Ro.
[/quote]

Everything you need to do you have done.
You may need to loosen or free off the 4 tabs the screws were through, but should then come out the front.
May need to gently pry the metal bar above the light to gain a little more room but only a smidge...

RoShamBo · Post by **RoShamBo** » Fri Jun 05, 2015 11:47 am

Wow that was a job ! Never done it before so not sure how "easy" it should be, but I twisted, pulled (to the point I thought I might break something) angled, slid and eventually they popped out.

Reading the above, it should be a lot easier than this ! My worry now is getting the new ones in - which will be equally as tricky I am guessing !

The issue seemed to be that when they were as far up as they could go (or the metal bar that runs over the top would allow - I did loosen it a bit) the circular fixings that take the bottom bolts were still well below the bumper line (by about an inch)

Anyway, next post will be help cant get the new ones in !

Ro.

Steamyrotter · Post by **Steamyrotter** » Fri Jun 05, 2015 12:00 pm

If you mean the plastic grommet things the screws go into then they should be left behind in the car bracketry..

Sounds like someone has had them out before you and not put them back right..

RoShamBo · Post by **RoShamBo** » Fri Jun 05, 2015 12:50 pm

Hi steamyrotter,

No the mouldings on the lights that the screws screw into - these are part of the lights (and are moulded onto the new ones exactly the same - so think they are right)

Steamyrotter · Post by **Steamyrotter** » Sat Jun 06, 2015 12:17 am

Fair enough..

In that case some one previously took mine out and didn't put them back right then!!!!!

Which doesnt surprise me as the car is 2003 and the date moulded in my lights is 2006???!!!

RoShamBo · Post by **RoShamBo** » Sat Jun 06, 2015 12:23 am

Sussed it (feel like such an idiot)

I didn't disconnect the plastic "slide" that's attached to the lights, so I was trying to get the lights out with that slide attached ! Dumb-ass. No wonder the light refused to go through the gap !

All sorted now and the lights look fantastic - and they work ! Amaze myself sometimes......

Thanks for all the help !

Ro.

kjb1 · Post by **kjb1** » Sat Jun 06, 2015 9:43 am

pictures???

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kjb1 · Post by **kjb1** » Sat Jun 06, 2015 9:43 am

have you gone for Depo lights??

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RoShamBo · Post by **RoShamBo** » Sat Jun 06, 2015 10:09 am

Hi kjb1,

Pics being taken today

They are these lights

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/111287197110? ... EBIDX%3AIT

And they are Depo lights - though the advert doesn't state it, I was pleasantly surprised when they arrived with Depo stamped on them

Also - I have been looking at these lights for a while and they have been £299 for ages and just recently the price has dropped to £ 259 - they are really well made and look as OEM on the car as I think you can get - so I think a bit of a bargain.

Cheers

Ro.

kjb1 · Post by **kjb1** » Sat Jun 06, 2015 12:18 pm

I bought these lights for my old e53 around 6 years ago, loved them [emoji106]

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