Take the headlights apart

Started by roger, October 22, 2009, 11:47

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roger

How to shamelessly nicked from SC:

Here's how:
First, make sure you mark the light's center of the beam on the garage door to aim the headlights later.
Take off the front plastic underneath the hood.
Take off the front bumper. There are two headlight screws on top of the headlight and one hidden on each side kind of underneath. The side screw is located so it's on the side closest to the outside of the car if that makes sense. then just pull them out. there is a little clip that holds them in also. Unplug all the wires, too.

To disassemble
1) Get the S.O. out of the house as you don't want them to know what you are putting in the oven.
2) Remove the headlight casing from your car. Be sure to remove the bulb.
3) Place tin foil on the bottom rack (the rack should be located at the very bottom slot). Preheat your oven to 250F/120C degrees
4) Remove any nuts, bolts, and screws from the border of the casing.
5) Place your headlight casing inside the oven and set the timer for 6-8 minutes.
6) After the timer goes off, remove the casing using garden gloves (it'll be a little warm).
7) Take a flat tipped screwdriver and pry up the little plastic "clips", sliding your screwdriver beyond that clip into the joint between the casing and the lens. The adhesive will be very soft and pliable.
8.) Pry and slide your screwdriver a little bit down, continue until you see it starting to come apart.
9) Then, increase your angle of prying to drive the two pieces apart.
10) When you see enough to get your fingers in the opening, use your hands to separate the pieces. You may hear a "pop". That may be the yellow reflector coming off, or it could be a tab that wasn't opened. Nevertheless, the pieces won't be damaged.
11) IF YOU ENCOUNTER ANY STRONG RESISTANCE, check to see that there aren't any nuts or bolts still connected.
12) To get the reflector out of the black plastic base, pry off the plastic cylindrical cover for the headlight adjustment screw. Loosen both nuts to take off the reflector.After the lens cools down, you might want to take the opportunity to clean and polish the inside.

To reassemble:
1) Do everything backward, including the oven part - you need to get that adhesive pliable again. Generally use a little less time like 8-9 minutes.
2) Make sure you ask your body shop if 250F/120C degrees will harm the paint.
3) Reinstall, and be sure to re-aim your headlights.
4) When your reheating your headlights to put them back together you can't let the clear plastic cover touch any sides of the oven or the aluminum foil on the bottom.
5) Put the Headlight together as best as it will go then heat and push it together.
6) Check the oven for any residual damage and cook your S.O. a nice meal - never telling them what you did.

You can use some black adhesive obtainable at any auto parts store to touchup and seal the casing when you are finished.
Roger

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