Headlamp Replacement

[AdamV8V]

The LED has gone on my passenger side headlight and I’ve just had the call from my garage that, as feared, the whole unit needs replacing.

Even with a generous discount on both parts and labour, this is still going to be a 4 figure job to replace

My question is, if I procured a used part (£650 on fleabay), could this be a DIY replacement job? I have access to a ramp etc – I assume you need to go through the wheel arch like most jobs on a modern Aston!

[AMDBSNick]

AdamV8V said:

Could this be a DIY replacement job?

[NeinFondue]

AdamV8V said:

The LED has gone on my passenger side headlight and I’ve just had the call from my garage that, as feared, the whole unit needs replacing.

Even with a generous discount on both parts and labour, this is still going to be a 4 figure job to replace

My question is, if I procured a used part (£650 on fleabay), could this be a DIY replacement job? I have access to a ramp etc – I assume you need to go through the wheel arch like most jobs on a modern Aston!

Was wondering what your car was going in for...

I'm personally quite happy doing a bit of DIY, but the headlight and possibly alignment would take me absolute ages to get right ..

[bogie]

I guess you could DIY following the workshop manual. To be honest at an independant it shouldnt add that much to the cost of parts ...certainly not worth the hassle/scraped knuckles etc and good indy will be able to align headlights etc for you too rather than having to get it done seperately

[Neil1300r]

bogie said:

I guess you could DIY following the workshop manual.

You haven't met Adam have you?

[steveatesh]

Op quite a few threads on here about this, it is consider d too difficult because you have to sepsrate the unit which is bonded together. Mine was done recently and where I had it done told me they had tried to salvage used units in the way you say by gave up because it proved too difficult and too variable to offer as a service.

I had to suck up the huge bill for a sidelight something Aston really needs to think about in redesign . It cost me £300 per year in sidelights having owned it five years. fking ridiculous.

[DAMIT]

Adam Is it not covered by your warranty ??

[KarlFranz]

Replacing the headlamp unit is a pretty trivial task for someone with good mechanical skill. You just have to remove the wheel, wheel liner and the airbox to get to it. The headlamp itself is held in place by 3 bolts. Takes me about 30 minutes to remove one. YMMV based on your skill and having access to the right tools.

I'm working on a new project and this is what my car currently looks like:

Edited by KarlFranz on Tuesday 3rd February 17:57

[AdamV8V]

Thanks all.

I've decided to leave it to the experts. The difference is £500 which is a lot of money, but I can see a future scenario where I've spent all weekend doing it, failing / breaking something else, and saying to myself "why didn't you just pay the money!!!".

DAMIT said:

Adam Is it not covered by your warranty ??

Alas no. Light units not covered by the policy, which shows just how much 3rd party warranties are generally not worth the paper they're written on. I argued the toss with dealer and got £250 off the part and labour charged at internal rate. And it's still over a grand...

[Bincenzo]

That's pure bad luck Adam, what a PITA. Probably best left to the experts though chum. It's still an awesome car though.......

[mikey k]

Do a search on here there was a thread on getting them repaired
(might even be in the FAQ)