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Author Topic: Removing sidelights - Arghhh!  (Read 11149 times)

Offline T30GUE

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Removing sidelights - Arghhh!
« on: October 31, 2009, 06:53:14 pm »
 Just had a set of the Autobulbs 1 watt led's delivered.

Been outside ars*ing about now for about an hr. Managed to remove the skin from most of my knuckles but have sorted the Passenger side headlight out. (Can no longer feel my thumbs!)

Problem is there is less room on the Driver's side and the bulb holder is really tight. I am even struggling to rotate it at all  :ashamed:


Been searching and reading the Forum too - tried a pliers, but the ones I have don't really fit into the small space.



Afraid if I pull any harder the reflector will be damaged.

Can't understand it, I managed this job with ease on my other mk5??

May attack it again tomorrow.   :fighting:

Any advice would be appreciated,

Thanks,
Chris.
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Offline WhiteGTI

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Re: Removing sidelights - Arghhh!
« Reply #1 on: October 31, 2009, 06:54:41 pm »
Yeah its ridiculous!

Just pull hard, thats the only advice I can give! Mine were the same.
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Offline QD MBE

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Re: Removing sidelights - Arghhh!
« Reply #2 on: October 31, 2009, 06:58:25 pm »
Chris,

It is an absolute pain of a job.................  I used a pair of long snipe nosed pliers.
 :fighting: :fighting: :fighting:
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Offline T30GUE

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Re: Removing sidelights - Arghhh!
« Reply #3 on: October 31, 2009, 07:08:20 pm »

Thanks guys!

will give it some extra Welly tomorrow!

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Offline stealthwolf

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Re: Removing sidelights - Arghhh!
« Reply #4 on: October 31, 2009, 07:21:33 pm »
As above, it's quite tricky. I have short, stubby fingers which didn't help but even I didn't take an hour. Took me thirty mins max to change the indicators, sides, dipped and mains.

Persevere. I tried pliers but I felt that I was going to damage something so I just used fingers and brute force. Keep trying.
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Offline JPC

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Re: Removing sidelights - Arghhh!
« Reply #5 on: October 31, 2009, 07:39:40 pm »
Try not to pull with the wires too, you can damage them aparently
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Offline Greeners

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Re: Removing sidelights - Arghhh!
« Reply #6 on: October 31, 2009, 08:43:27 pm »
Long nosed pliers did the trick on the most stubborn one for me too!  :happy2:
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Offline candyman

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Re: Removing sidelights - Arghhh!
« Reply #7 on: October 31, 2009, 10:13:34 pm »
Best tip is to wear some rubber washing up gloves, this way you can get hold of the little devil and gently pull it out. Keep at it and it will come.
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Offline QD MBE

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Re: Removing sidelights - Arghhh!
« Reply #8 on: October 31, 2009, 11:30:10 pm »
Quote from: candyman on October 31, 2009, 10:13:34 pm
Best tip is to wear some rubber washing up gloves, this way you can get hold of the little devil and gently pull it out. Keep at it and it will come.
Are we talking about the same thing...
 :chicken: :chicken: :chicken: :chicken: :chicken: :chicken:

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Offline JPC

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Re: Removing sidelights - Arghhh!
« Reply #9 on: November 01, 2009, 01:44:31 am »
Trust you dave!! Haha
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Offline Pauli

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Re: Removing sidelights - Arghhh!
« Reply #10 on: November 01, 2009, 01:56:03 am »
I too have suffered the skinless knuckle bulb technique
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Offline Steve Baker

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Re: Removing sidelights - Arghhh!
« Reply #11 on: November 01, 2009, 09:43:01 am »
Once you have the nearside out bend an old coat hanger or similar piece of wire to fit the bulb holder. Then use thiis to remove offside holder in about 30 seconds!  :happy2: Worked for me.  Would post a pic of said bent wire but it's not pretty!  :laugh:
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Offline T30GUE

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Re: Removing sidelights - Arghhh!
« Reply #12 on: November 01, 2009, 02:53:12 pm »
Thanks for all the suggestions!
Had another go this mrning and managed to get them both out in a few minutes with a mini long nose pliers. (Needs to have a snipe or angle though to reach inside)

Will try and get a pic up later to help other out

Thanks again!
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Offline T30GUE

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Re: Removing sidelights - Arghhh!
« Reply #13 on: November 01, 2009, 03:14:54 pm »
Right bear with me  - first time posting pics!


The Pliers I used:
IMG]http://i749.photobucket.com/albums/xx140/t30gue76/003.jpg[/IMG]

and
Where to grip the bulbholder, and pull straight back (do not pull the the wires)
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Offline T30GUE

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Re: Removing sidelights - Arghhh!
« Reply #14 on: November 01, 2009, 03:17:13 pm »
Don't know why the first pic didn't work?
Will try again:

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