Replacing Headlights

[Norbreck21a]

Chaps, just looking for a quick head ups.

I've just purchased some genuine Black headlights from Saint Steve (cheers bud) for my GT 2.0 TDI, and will have a go this weekend fitting them. A quick question though as I seem to be getting conflicting advise. Can the headlights be changed without removing the bumper completely ?

My GT is a 2005 model so has the pre-facelift bumper fitted (at the moment) i.e.  the Non GTI style. I've taken the corner mouldings off to have a peek inside and "think" I can see the 3rd retaining bolt. Question is though, with the bumper still in place, is there enough room to "wiggle" the headlight out and drop the new one in. A friend told me to half remove the bumper i.e. take out the top 2 screws under the grill and remove the upper 2 screws in each wheel arch, and pull the top of the bumper forward slightly, which he says will give enough acess and clearance to do the job ?

I understand that removing the bumper isn't the end of the world, it's just that I'll be on my own at the weekend, and I'm told removing and replacing the bumper is much easier with 2 people ?

Any advise ? Also, I know that I will need to get them aligned after fitting, but can I assume that as they came off a Golf with them properly adjusted, that the alignment will be "more of less" right straight away and should only need a tweak (just in case I have to run them for a day of so until my local MOT place can book me in) ?

Cheers

Andrew

[rich83]

It is possible to take them out with the bumper still on. However, getting to that lower screw through the removed trim is a PITA, and it's so easy to end up dropping the screw. For the sake of another 20mins.... I'd just take the while bumper off, it's a one man job really, just put a sheet down so you don't damage the bumper!

The alignment shouldn't be a million miles out but worth getting them properly adjusted! You could even mark the level of the ones you've got on now (against a wall @ 10-15metres) and adjust them yourself!

[Andy]

i did mine with out taking the bumper of..the head light go come out if you jiggle it about...have a look through my build thread

[Norbreck21a]

Thanks fellas.

Appreciated.

Andrew

[Norbreck21a]

Can someone who has removed the front bumper on a non GTI/GT Sport style (i.e the standard pre-facelift style), confirm that the screws marked in red below are the ones that need to be undone to remove the front bumper (in addition to the ones in the wheel wells and under the grill) ?



Thanks

Andrew

[rich83]

Correct!

[Norbreck21a]

Thanks Rich 

[rich83]

Dont forget the 'hidden' screw where the bumper meets the wing just inside the wheel arch... the screw head faces the floor and is easily missed!

[apollo13]

Andrews had the tools out today then??

A good practice run for your new year facelift 

[Norbreck21a]

Lee,

Too bloody cold to do anything at the moment  

Bit of an investigation for part 1 which are the black GTI style headlights that I purchased from Saint Steve. Just itching to get them fitted, and will try over the Xmas holidays if the weather improves.

Part 2 comes a little later with the facelift front end ( when I track one down for a decent price). I'm taking your advice and going to stick to genuine parts. Only problem is whilst the bumpers themselves seem fairly cheap, as I don't want it to look like a GTI, I want the GT Sport slatted grills, but those either never come up on the bay, or are bloody expensive!

Andrew

[apollo13]

Andrew,

 I got my main GT grille from ebay for £40 but they are expensive new. Iv seen them on there for £200 not sure how much fron the dealers.

I gave up waiting to find the lower three and went to the stealers they cost me best part of £90, but the most expensive part was the lower centre grille trim. The GTI doesnt have this, just the Jetta's and GT's. It was £56 from the dealers unpainted!! It's a tiny strip of primed plastic!! I could of sat it out and waited for them to come on ebay but I'm impatient!!

 The chrome Jetta grilles are easier to get and generally cheaper and I do know of people that have got those and had them sprayed up black.

If you dont change the carrier you have to trim the GT main grille aswell mate as it won't sit right. 

[Norbreck21a]

If you dont change the carrier you have to trim the GT main grille as well mate as it won't sit right. 

Lee,

Actually, that's what I was going to ask you 

If it's a simple enough case of just removing the centre grill, and you have the time and inclination, is it possible to grab a couple of photos showing where you trimmed yours............pleeeeeeeeeeeeeeease 

If it's a pain in the ar5e to get to, then don't worry mate. Just wanted to have a quick look see at how much material needed to be trimmed off.

Also, what are the implications for the towing eyelet. You said that using the correct carrier plate (like Darren) positions the towing eye socket correctly, but what happens like you (and like me) when you use a GTI bumper with the standard GT carrier plate. Is it still reachable or would towing damage the bumper ?

Cheers matey,

Andrew

[Norbreck21a]

Well, did the headlight swap this morning (the black style GTI lights I purchased from a member on here), as the temperature had warmed up a bit.

Thought I'd give it a try without removing the bumper instead just removing the protective moulding on the edges of the bumper. I thought if I dropped a screw, then I would do a complete bumper off.

As it happened it was a piece of pi55. From start to end took no more then 45 minutes (and that includes swapping the bulbs over. Hardest part was unclipping the drivers side wiring plug, but just unclipping the fuel filter and removing it out of the way (still connected) made the job so much easier. Just need to get the properly aligned which will hopefully be tomorrow at the stealers.

Car looks so much better with mine being diamond black pearl anyway.

Will post some photos up soon when its a bit cleaner 

Cheers

Andrew

[Andy]

excellent mate..it makes so much difference and a easier swap other

[Norbreck21a]

Right chaps, pictures as promised. I know it's old news as this mod has been done many times before, but I do think it updates the front end no end.

Just to remind you, this it how it was :





How it is now:











Thanks go to Steve (Saint Steve) for selling me the lights at a good price in the first place  

Also, to Lee (apollo13), Andy (Maxitrol) and Rich (richwig83) for the advice over the fitment and bumper removal advice (which in the end I didn't have to do), and of couse our own Robin (redrobin) for thinking about Steve's lights and putting me in touch with him the first place.

Many thanks chaps.

The strange thing is, I was going to go for the complete GTI /GT Sport style bumper facelift later on this spring, but now I'm not sure. Kinda like it as it is.  

Andrew