Is it necessary to remove the bumper to change the headlight?

T

tigas

Member
I don't have much time (I'm at work), but I've just been quoted what seems a big amount of labour time for changing a headlight. They explained to me that they had to remove the front bumper. That doesn't gel with my idea of what's been said in the forum about changing lightbulbs.

The headlight needs changing because it has become a bit opaque and with a rough yellowish texture on the outside. Is it worth trying to polish the headlight? How would I do it?
 
If you do polish the headlight, or especially if you decide to get another one, why not invest in a set of headlamp protectors - they do help to safeguard your lenses and are well worth it in my opinion, which is why I have them fitted to Tank.

Cheers,

Mike
 
In short no you don't need to remove the bumper to remove the headlight - take off the bonnet and then it's just a couple of hex bolts and the whole unit slides out. A 2 minute job, easy peasy.
 
Just to clarify Dans post - there are 2 bolts on top of the headlamp, but they are torx T30 bolts, not hex.

One is short (the one on top) and the other is long. When removing them, you may need a little brute force to remove the long screw, as it tends to corrode in place, but a little copper grease on the threads when re-installing will ensure that the bolts don't shear when removing next time.

Cheers,

Mike
 
I'm not very good at manual work, I'd still have to locate and buy the polish supplies, the car failed the MOT because of this headlight so I'm not going to risk it, and this headlight used to mist itself in the beginning of my history with this car, so I decided to get a new one. The price didn't seem unfair, I saw one used and slightly dinged at eBay for the same price as I was quoted.

Well, I asked my shaman (Elsa) for guidance and after some mumbling and grumbling (and an External Trip to Knowledgeable Auras) I found out that Audi no longer has replacement lenses and that there's no mention anywhere of removing the bumper (protecting it, yes, but not removing, and especially not "removing it to get to a bolt").

The part arrives Monday, so I'm going back to leave the car and be shown the work order. If they keep to their story can I confront them with the Scrolls that Elsa conjured or are there things that (the) Man is not supposed to know?
 
No, there are so many dodgy copies of ELSAWin on Ebay that most owners now have a copy - print out the relevant page and take it with you by all means.

Replacement lenses were dropped in the very early days of production - around 2000, so the on;y possibility now is an entire new light unit.

Best of lucK!

Cheers,

Mike
 
dan_b said:
Sorry good point, I get torx and hex mixed up :eek:
Click to expand...

Well, you can turn hex bolts with a torx key, but not the other way around...

Skipton01 said:
If you do polish the headlight, or especially if you decide to get another one, why not invest in a set of headlamp protectors - they do help to safeguard your lenses and are well worth it in my opinion, which is why I have them fitted to Tank.

Cheers,

Mike
Click to expand...

Can you point me in the direction of these headlamp protectors?
 
The headlamp protectors are available as an accessory (same category as footmats and mud flaps) from any Audi dealer, for around £40 a pair.

Not exactly cheap, but a lot cheaper than a pair of new lamps!

Cheers,

Mike
 
Well, it wasn't necessary to flaunt the Holy Scriptures, the person at the dealer consulted their Workshop Manual after I insisted and concluded that the mechanic that had budgeted the job should have checked - the A2 is a bit special. Sometimes retarded "special"... other times plain brilliant.
 
tigas said:
I don't have much time (I'm at work), but I've just been quoted what seems a big amount of labour time for changing a headlight. They explained to me that they had to remove the front bumper. That doesn't gel with my idea of what's been said in the forum about changing lightbulbs.

The headlight needs changing because it has become a bit opaque and with a rough yellowish texture on the outside. Is it worth trying to polish the headlight? How would I do it?
Click to expand...

Where are you based Buddy? one of us could change the headlamp out for you, like it has been said already it is only about 1 minutes work to get the light out! shouldn't really cost much if anything at all. ;)


Cheers

Sarge
 
Thank you very much for the offer, but I'm in Portugal! And they've done the job for around 25 pounds.

I'll just do it again myself when I install the Ultraleds sidelights by the end of the week! But thankfully, now it has passed the MOT!

The Workshop manual says the bolts have to be tightened to 6N - how tight is that, in i-have-no-intention-to-buy-a-torque-meter-wrench measurements? Turn to stop, tight, a drop of sweat, holy moley that's tight, take-yer-hands-off-my-nuts tight?
 
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Just turn it until it stops, then give it the tiny "tweak" turn but don't crank it so hard!
 
hi there....

it is neccessary to remove the bumper....the best way to find out is to get on your back and take a good look at it. It's probably mostly plastic pop rivets with a couple of bolts. It usually pays about an hour in a shop to remove and install. Expect double or triple as you haven't done it before.
 
removing the bumper is necessary for what, exactly?

Changing headlights? no.
Removing the front end completely - yes.
Wiring foglights? no.
Changing the horn? yes, because otherwise you won't get to the bolt holding it in place
changing the screenwash pump / tank? yes.

Other than that? I don't think so and I'd really like to hear your reasons for doing it.

It's all tx20s - around 5 per side behind the wheelarch liners and another four on the top, three on the motor capsule (bottom of the bumper). Several plastic rivets on the top, too.

Time? around 20mins if you've taken the wheels off / liners out first. Do not do this with a dirty car, you will create lots of scratches.

Bret
 
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