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Thread: Headlight removal to replace lens

  1. #1
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    Question Headlight removal to replace lens

    Ok, I know there were a couple posts about this I found with the search but I am having a b*tch of a time trying to get the passenger headlight out so I can replace the glass lens. I removed the top two 10mm nuts, the corner light, and that's it. The F'n thing doesn't want to come out. There is a tab that goes into the lower corner of the fender and I can't seem to access anything to get to it.

    I found this link: http://www.bimmerboard.com/forums/posts/80218 to help. The issue I have is this statement:

    "Remove the molding under the headlight assembly.

    On ’95-’98 M/Y the trim will slid off to the outside. Use a flat screwdriver with a cloth doubled around it to start pushing it out towards the outside of the car."


    How the heck does it slide to the outside? The fender is right there so you can't just slide it. I started to pry on it figuring maybe it popped off but I don't want to break anything. I've already spent $500 on various things on this car already and I expect another $1000 before I am done. I am thinking this was a bad purchase but once I start driving it I may think the money spent will be worth it.

    What is pissing me off is its just a headlight, it should be a simple thing to remove. Everyone else seemed to figure out how to remove their headlights and install ghetto eBay angel eyes and I can't just replace the lens.

    Also the darn foglights took a half hour to try and figure out when all I had to do was stick a screwdriver into the top hole and it just pops out. GRRRRRR.

    HELP!

    This e38 is already starting to rub me the wrong way and I still haven't installed the new radiator yet. I think need to stick with my e21's. Someone save me from my frustration.
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  3. #3
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    Where did you find the lens covers? I am looking!
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  4. #4
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    On 95 - 98 slide to the center of the car not to the outside! It is probably kind of stuck on there too. Be patient so you don't scratch the paint! Once off there are two torx screws under the light T20 in size. Hard to see but you will find them. the little plastic piece mentioned in the instructions you were follow is also there.

    One bit of advise. Re-install the 10mm nuts on top leaving the bracket in place and remove the two phillips head screws instead. This will help re-align the lights when you reinstall!

  5. #5
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    I had a rough go at it too. When I got to the other side I was a pro, did it in less than 10 minutes, but took 2 hours to do the one side! (going back in forth to E38.org) I ended up using a long flat head screwdriver instead of the T20. Well worth it in the end. I even polished up the plastic with Meguiars plastic cutter/polish. Let us know how it went.
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  6. #6
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    This is why I am a member of this forum. Excellent information super fast. I was able to slide the lower trim piece by hand with a little tug. I'll finish tomorrow as I was frustrated and went out on my boat instead of finishing the project.

    When I grow weary, I go to the sea...

    I found the Bosch lens on eBay. Now that I have new foglights and one new lens, I might just have to replace the drivers side because it looks like crap compared to the other lights.

    Thank you for the advice. A little b*tching and a jaunt down the river and I am good as new.
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  7. #7
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    meteck is offline Houston CCA Houston 7ers BMW CCA Member
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    Had the same issue. Realized that it could only go to the inside. Driver's side came off easily but pass was a real pita. Nothing wanted to work right.





    Totally stock 97 740iL except for SatRad

  8. #8
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    Fog light removal tip: instead of using a screw driver which makes you have to wiggle it around to find the release point...use the wheel pin in the trunk's tool kit. It fits perfectly in the hole and is the correct length and diameter...it goes directly to the sweet spot...and with a gentle push the fog light jumps right off the car...so be prepared to catch it. As I said, the wheel pin hits the sweet spot perfectly.

    In case you don't know what the wheel pin is (or it may be missing from your tool kit)...it is the long straight metal tool with a gray plastic tip...you stick the metal part up the fog light's hole.

    Wheel Pin: facilitates mounting wheel, can be used for handle for spark plug tool, and can be used to release fog light


    Last edited by Qsilver7; 07-26-2010 at 10:30 PM.
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  9. #9
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    Quote Originally Posted by Qsilver7 View Post
    Oh my god, thats what that thing is for? I feel like an idiot now.

  10. #10
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    OK I felt like a fool when I was able to do this from start to finish in 15 minutes. The key was to leave the 10mm nuts in place and just remove the two screws instead. Also once I figured out how to slide the lower trim piece off, it was a piece of cake from there.

    Now that I have the new lens cover on the passenger side, it looks like I will be buying one for the drivers side. New lens on the PS and two new foglights is making the drivers pitted and road worn glass stand out now.

    Since we all like pictures, I took a few for giggles. Check out the hole in the glass:







    THE E21 MOVEMENT IS ON - You can either go with me or against me, the choice is yours!
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  11. #11
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    I do want to clean the inside lenses and also try to do some polish to the exterior crystal.

    Thanks for the information.

    Is one side more complicated than the other?

    Regards

    Pedro

  12. #12
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    I haven't done the drivers side yet. I still need to buy a new lens. It looks about the same to do so you should be able to take care of both sides in 30 minutes. I cleaned the inside of the headlight before I put it back together as well.
    THE E21 MOVEMENT IS ON - You can either go with me or against me, the choice is yours!
    ~ JT ~
    1977 BMW 320i - 1986 BMW 528e
    http://jtresto.com/e21info.htm

  13. #13
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    all that work to replace the lens cover with a hole ??
    I am still on my first piece if clear (cellophane) tape

  14. #14
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    I just recently installed my Angel Eyes and my first attempt at removing the driver side headlight housing was a ordeal. Well, not really. But, once I had it out the passenger side was a piece of cake. If I can do it anybody can.

  15. #15
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    is the angel lights hard to install? how long did it take you?

  16. #16
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    meteck is offline Houston CCA Houston 7ers BMW CCA Member
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    Depends on your ability. Mechanically, it is not difficult, but some people have more trouble than others and sometimes parts don't come apart as easily on one side or the other. BTW, Pedro both sides work about the same.





    Totally stock 97 740iL except for SatRad

  17. #17
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    I just tried this same thing this weekend when I was attempting to install my angel eyes & got the same frustration. Why is it soo friggn hard to do even the simplest things on this car? lol!

    Anyway, it took me forever to even get to a point of understanding HOW to remove the light. after going back & forth reading various sources (instructions that came with AE kit, youtube vids, e38.org, etc.), I finally got to removing those torx screws, but realized my tools could not reach it. The opening is pretty narrow & the tool will need to extend ~3-4 inches to clear the headlight housing & trim piece to reach the torx screw.

    I wish I had seen this thread & esp the the link to the meeknet site for help! It would have saved me a LOT of time going back & forth on the computer just to figure out the right way to approach this.

    Mcallister had a novel idea! Use a right-sized, long handled, flat head screw driver to get 'em off. I'll try that tomorrow... Right now I'm tired & it's too late & if it doesn't work I'm getting a set of long handled torx drivers

    Thanks all for sharing on this post

    Quote Originally Posted by mcallister View Post
    I had a rough go at it too. When I got to the other side I was a pro, did it in less than 10 minutes, but took 2 hours to do the one side! (going back in forth to E38.org) I ended up using a long flat head screwdriver instead of the T20. Well worth it in the end. I even polished up the plastic with Meguiars plastic cutter/polish. Let us know how it went.
    Last edited by kahlilj; 01-17-2011 at 03:38 PM.

  18. #18
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    Smile Replaced headlamp lens and remote control

    I just want to thank all the contributors to this thread, you helped me replace my 1995 740i's headlamp, without your commentary I wouldn't have been able to know about the two screws underneath the headlamp. I'd also been having trouble with my two remotes. I had replaced the batteries in both, and none would open/lock the car. Because of this site, I was able to determine that the central locking system's fuse was bad by locking the car manually with the key, and finding that the fuel door was still open. I located it in the trunk above the battery, changed it, followed the synchronization instructions, and voila! They both worked again! This is a great site and you all are helping us to save money by fixing stuff ourselves. Thank you, guys!

  19. #19
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    ahhh so you are telling me i can remove the lenses/headlights, without taking the front bumper off?! DOH! someone smack me..

  20. #20
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    Smack!!!!

  21. #21
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    Ha I'm glad I didn't try to remove the bumper when I took out my headlights

  22. #22
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  23. #23
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    Just swapped both sides.
    The instructions made it harder than it needed to be.
    The trim piece slides off towards the center
    The bottom torx screws get unscrewed.
    The corner with the signal light has the expansion sliding joint.. slide it to the center.
    Take the nuts off and the screws on top...
    Thats it.. it wiggles out.

  24. #24
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    Glad my post is still helping years later. I still haven't replaced the driver side yet. One of those things that went on the back burner.
    THE E21 MOVEMENT IS ON - You can either go with me or against me, the choice is yours!
    ~ JT ~
    1977 BMW 320i - 1986 BMW 528e
    http://jtresto.com/e21info.htm

  25. #25
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    Looks so much better now and the headlights are brighter.. go figure..LOL
    One of the best DIY's you can do

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