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hey

i was tryin 2 take out my headlights as they are DARK yellow !!! thats how dirty they are. so i took out the 3 botls, took out the signal. looked for the nut found a nut just above. and the damn headlights wont come out!! from the front they look like everything is out but like as if from the back side there's something holding them. took out all the cables and everything and they won't come out!!! 2 hours tried same thing on both sides and non of them would come out!!!!! it took me like 30 mins to put each bolt (the ones i took out from inside the signal area) back on

so i am not sure where the 4th nut it. tried to look on the onlioe manual and the damn pages for the exterior lights is not working

wasted 2.5 hours and couldn't get them out.

damn you headlights

by the way its a japanese import. donno if it makes any difference.

can any1 give me those pages of the manual or like a couple of pictures where the last nut is!!

thanks

No need, read the appearance FAQ, theres a how-to to fix those headlights.

Take the bumper off and you'll see the 4th bolt. Its pretty straight forward and makes the job easy. I got it down to about 5 minutes to remove.

How come you are taking them off to polsih them? Just polish them on the car. Unless your planning on take them apart to do the inside of the lenses, but that takes way more work then its worth. When i did the inside of mine, it didnt really make any difference anyway.

it definitely would be easier to polish them if they're out of the car

yeah

i was thikin of takin them off and cleaning the inside as i cleaned them from the outside and they're still really dirty!

so i will need 2 take the whole bumper off!!:(

DAMN!!!

rasheedn wrote:i was thikin of takin them off and cleaning the inside as i cleaned them from the outside and they're still really dirty

Should have said so in the beginning. Providing good history and accurate details makes it much easier on all concerned finding the right answer - QUICKER.

i usually get to the 4th bolt by taking the corners out and sneak in a socket on a long attachment....beats taking the bumper off 'cuz i'm lazy...

cheers,

rasheedn wrote:i was thikin of takin them off and cleaning the inside as i cleaned them from the outside and they're still really dirty!

Discoloration is EXterior UV damage from sunlight as the factory plastic lens clearcoat has deteriorated. This prob doesn't affect the interior surface and the housings are typically well sealed to prevent dirt & moisture from ever entering the inside housing. Baking headlts to get em open, cleaning inside & reassembling will likely not solve the prob. You'll be disappointed with the results and IMO it isn't worth the hassle.

My scenario may be similar to yours... Bought a '96 626 & owner only had curbside work/home parking exposing the driver side to southern sun exposure for 8 years, even in winter. Passenger side headlt was crystal-clear-brand-new from a recent fender-bender ins repair. Driverside headlt was original & wasn't yellowed, it was brown. Many apps of plastic polish wasn't touching it but just tickled that headlt cuz I heard it laughing(at me). Considered pulling the light & wet sanding but sanding plastic made me nervous, and removal was gonna be too much hassle. After all, this was my wife's car. Got great results, total cost ~$10 and time ~1+ hr, using these very inexpensive products from the local grocery store cleaning-products aisle (Food Lion, I'm in the US):

• "Barkeepers Friend" - A straightforward abrasive powder (no additives, like bleach). Cost .49 in a gold 8" cardboard w/blue label canister (like Comet which you'll find it near) This container will last the rest of your lifetime unless you actually are a bartender. Used a damp terry cotton towel and made a paste on the towel. Applied ~8 fresh vigorous 2 min. apps in ~1/2 hr, wiping the lens clean between apps. Knocked off the thick brown-yellow discoloration completely but the lens was still cloudy.
  
  "Weiman Cook Top Cleaning Creme" - A very mildly abrasive but effective polishing creme. 4.99 in a 10oz white plastic bottle w/black label. 1 bottle lasts a couple years at least. Applied ~8 apps in ~1/2 hr wiping the lens clean between apps.
  
  "Future Acrylic Premium Floor Finish" - ~$5 in a 27oz clear plastic bottle. Applied 2 coats letting dry between coats. All ya do is coat the plastic, just takes a couple secs. Provides some fresh UV protection and really puts a crystal shine on the lens. 1 bottle will last your lifetime and your kids lifetimes too.

Now the brand new headlt. and the reconditioned one are virtually identical & the interior never had to be touched...

I take my headlights out all the time. A 2 minute job. That 4 bolt is tricky. Cause it's in the lower back. All you have to do is lift the headlight just enough to get your rachet, with the long attachment on it through. You'll be able to get to it that way.

If you've got the factory fog lights, just take the bumper off. You'll see what I mean. Don't waste your time trying with the bumper on.

Grants wrote:If you've got the factory fog lights, just take the bumper off. You'll see what I mean. Don't waste your time trying with the bumper on.

Not looking forward to removing bumper when I go to install J-Spec lights. Never done it before, so that could take me quite some time..sheesh!!