Headlight Removal

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E3018iAT
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Sun Mar 15, 2009 9:33 am

I want to take out the left hand light pod so how do i do it?

Any body got any advice?
leeparkes
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Sun Mar 15, 2009 10:02 am

pop the bonnet then take off the grill surrounding the lights,then disconnect the wires at the back of the lights,then at the front you will see 4(i think) screws holding the cluster on,undo these and its out!
Cypriotgeeza wrote:I done both my mates in my old 318is
felt so proud,even tried it with a E30 325i and got put in my place.. :o:
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E3018iAT
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Sun Mar 15, 2009 11:08 am

Good man Lee, thanks for that.
Sanchez
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Sun Mar 15, 2009 11:33 am

leeparkes wrote:you will see 4(i think) screws holding the cluster on,undo these and its out!
its 3 screws.

You'll need a good big screwdriver if they are rusted to the car.

Try WD40 and tighten them first or use a screw head on a socket spanner. More leverage then.
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leeparkes
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Sun Mar 15, 2009 11:35 am

Sanchez wrote:
leeparkes wrote:you will see 4(i think) screws holding the cluster on,undo these and its out!
its 3 screws.
There you go
Cypriotgeeza wrote:I done both my mates in my old 318is
felt so proud,even tried it with a E30 325i and got put in my place.. :o:
stonesie
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Sun Mar 15, 2009 12:27 pm

Use a BIG screwdriver thats a good fit, theyre quite large screw heads so a 'normal' sized screwdriver will just chew the heads out if theyre rusted in.
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furbster
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Sun Mar 15, 2009 12:31 pm

The top centre one on mine was rusted so badly I snapped two screwdriver sockets and gave up! :x

Good luck and if you manage to free it off ok let me know your technique!
Sanchez
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Sun Mar 15, 2009 1:24 pm

soak in WD40 and tighten then loosen with socket type head.

Using the correct tools always helps.
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furbster
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Sun Mar 15, 2009 1:28 pm

Sanchez wrote:soak in WD40 and tighten then loosen with socket type head.

Using the correct tools always helps.
I did! They were only halfords profession sockets but I would of thought they would have been ok?

Even tried an impact driver but didn't want to smash it too hard incase the vibration smashed smashed the glass or broke the elements! :eek:
Sanchez
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Sun Mar 15, 2009 1:31 pm

first lights i changed used an impact wrench. Missed and smashed the glass with the hammer, wasnt bothered as they were knackered that why i changed them.
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furbster
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Sun Mar 15, 2009 1:33 pm

Sanchez wrote:first lights i changed used an impact wrench. Missed and smashed the glass with the hammer, wasnt bothered as they were knackered that why i changed them.
lol! That's exactly the sort of thing I would do! :roll:
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martauto
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Sun Mar 15, 2009 1:55 pm

I loosened the clips behind the screws with a long driver first before attacking the screws.
(thanks Mr.Moooooore)

Mart.
Only the E46 cab left now.
Just got too old.
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furbster
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Sun Mar 15, 2009 2:13 pm

martauto wrote:I loosened the clips behind the screws with a long driver first before attacking the screws.
(thanks Mr.Moooooore)

Mart.
I didn't think of that... Top Idea and one I'll be trying! :D
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martauto
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Sun Mar 15, 2009 5:34 pm

furbster wrote:
martauto wrote:I loosened the clips behind the screws with a long driver first before attacking the screws.
(thanks Mr.Moooooore)

Mart.
I didn't think of that... Top Idea and one I'll be trying! :D
Thank Mr Mooooooooooore.

Mart.
Only the E46 cab left now.
Just got too old.
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E3018iAT
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Sun Mar 15, 2009 10:43 pm

I will post results tomorrow so when I get to it.
I might even include some pics.
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