Difficult to change headlights in modern cars!
Discussion
Well I have read a lot on these forums about how difficult modern cars can be to change headlights and I thought I would share this tail of woe with you all.
A friends uncle has a second car that he wanted me and a friend to sort a few things on, changings discs and replacing a near side headlight. Was in no rush and we could do it when we could.
OK for the disc brakes took us around 60 hours between us to do, brakes were mounted very awkwardly and almost everything broke while being undone. OK that was straight forward enough but a lot of faffing about so on to the headlight.
First step was to take off the wing. Which didnt want to come off.
Next was disconnecting at a guess half a million rods and linkages and wires for the adaptive headlights that turn with the steering.
Replacing the headlight was simple after all that faffing about. Then putting it back together. All in all it took 4 full weekends with at times 3 of us to get all that done.
Citroen should have been deeply ashamed for how difficult they have made the admittedly very cool and modern DS.
Oh to fix something on some nice simple modern cars!
A friends uncle has a second car that he wanted me and a friend to sort a few things on, changings discs and replacing a near side headlight. Was in no rush and we could do it when we could.
OK for the disc brakes took us around 60 hours between us to do, brakes were mounted very awkwardly and almost everything broke while being undone. OK that was straight forward enough but a lot of faffing about so on to the headlight.
First step was to take off the wing. Which didnt want to come off.
Next was disconnecting at a guess half a million rods and linkages and wires for the adaptive headlights that turn with the steering.
Replacing the headlight was simple after all that faffing about. Then putting it back together. All in all it took 4 full weekends with at times 3 of us to get all that done.
Citroen should have been deeply ashamed for how difficult they have made the admittedly very cool and modern DS.
Oh to fix something on some nice simple modern cars!
At least it was the headlight, I'm having trouble replacing a bulb.
Now admittedly my car fixing skill is at the level of changing the oil and perhaps putting the odd hose clamp on. If I do anything more than that it either won't budge or rounds off or won't go back together flush.
Anyhow, the headlight bulb goes on my Yaris. I have changed the bulb on a 14 year old Clio no probs in the past so pop down to Halfords and get the cheapest one I can.
RTFM time. Piece of piss, unplug the connector, pull off the rubber gasket, unclip the holder, change bulb. Clip the holder, put on the gasket and plug connector. 5 mins max.
Put the bonnet up. Sheet. There is some poxy plastic part right behind it so the only person who can get their fingers down the back of the headlight is a Japanese lady with small hands who does microelectronics and swiss watches for a hobby. It even blocks my view.
So I am going to have to take it off first, which I know will be siezed, then I will fail to do that actual job because of some undforseen disaster, then the plastic box will not go back on, so I will have to duct tape it in place while I drive slowly to the garage who will do it in 5 mins.
Do the AA come out for failed headlight bulbs? What if I wear a skirt?
Andy
Now admittedly my car fixing skill is at the level of changing the oil and perhaps putting the odd hose clamp on. If I do anything more than that it either won't budge or rounds off or won't go back together flush.
Anyhow, the headlight bulb goes on my Yaris. I have changed the bulb on a 14 year old Clio no probs in the past so pop down to Halfords and get the cheapest one I can.
RTFM time. Piece of piss, unplug the connector, pull off the rubber gasket, unclip the holder, change bulb. Clip the holder, put on the gasket and plug connector. 5 mins max.
Put the bonnet up. Sheet. There is some poxy plastic part right behind it so the only person who can get their fingers down the back of the headlight is a Japanese lady with small hands who does microelectronics and swiss watches for a hobby. It even blocks my view.
So I am going to have to take it off first, which I know will be siezed, then I will fail to do that actual job because of some undforseen disaster, then the plastic box will not go back on, so I will have to duct tape it in place while I drive slowly to the garage who will do it in 5 mins.
Do the AA come out for failed headlight bulbs? What if I wear a skirt?
Andy
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