Headlight assembly removal

[2003 MIB]

Good Morning,
I want to remove the left headlight assy for playing at the track but don't want to screw up the beam alignment. Is it the phillips head screws on the retaining tabs or the thumbscrew?

[RoyLPita]

I don't have any GMs or MMs where I work but, I looked at a CV. After opening the hood and removing the large black plastic filler cover, there are 2 metal rods that hold the light assy in place. Pull up on these rods to loosen and remove. It is that simple. Your adjustments will not be disturbed.

Just my .02 and then some.

[CRUZTAKER]

I do the same thing at the track. All one needs is a Long Phillips, and a small pencil flathead.

Remove the 3 phillips screws. Un-hook (small flathead) and swing the harness out of the way from snagging. Use your thumb to unlatch the headlamp assy located at the top center of the h.l. assy.

Push the lamp from the rear a little, and then kneel down to see the protrutions that will get hung up on the bumper and grill. Push the bumper cover down with your fingers, and guide the lamp out, swinging the right side of the lamp out first to allow clearance of the lamp protrutions to pass by the grill assembly.

Re-install opposite of removal. As long as the h.l. assy is re-positioned back where it was removed from, you are good to go!

[jaywish]

I just swaped in the silver stars and I have a question for Cruz (Can I call you cruz?) Did you get the assembly out without removing the side marker light?

I RTFM'ed it and the manual calls for removal of marker. Only two nuts to take it out so I didn't give it much thought.

Also I can say that there will be some minor change in the horizontal alignment. I noted and used the wear marks on the headlight assembly tabs where the bolts snug down while reinstalling the assembly but even then the nut/clips move around so there is bound to be some change in the beam angle. It is probably a small change if you are carefull in the reinstall.

[TooManyFords]

Am I the only one that found it easier to just put the Silverstars in -without- removing the whole lamp assembly? :cool4:

John

[jaywish]

Am I the only one that found it easier to just put the Silverstars in -without- removing the whole lamp assembly? :cool4:

John

I think that is the method I'd use in the future now that I'm familiar with the assembly.

1) Remove radiator cover (3 pin screws)
2) remove bulb cover from back of headlight assembly.
(watch the gasket, keep clean & check reinstall)
3) unscrew bulb retainer, remove bulb
4) disconnect power connector at back of bulb
5) reverse procedure.

Just need to mention.. DON"T TOUCH THE GLASS PART OF THE BULB

It might be a little awkward but it should work ok

[CRUZTAKER]

Did you get the assembly out without removing the side marker light?


Removal of the side marker light assy. is NOT required. :up:

[Dr Caleb]

Removal of the side marker light assy. is NOT required. :up:

I dunno man. I've got some big paws on me, and when I went to put in my Silverstars, it was just easier to pull the headlight out through the front, and that required me to loosen the side markers. Moving the bumper cover wasn't enough :)