Headlight removal?

[SHOtime3]

What's the easiest way to remove the pins that hold in the headlights without breaking the pins?

 

[Brett]

What's the easiest way to remove the pins that hold in the headlights without breaking the pins?

I couldn't tell you. Id imagine the only way is the way you and me think of i. Pull them from the top, wont come by hand use pliers. I broke almost EVERY one of my clips. the cost of never being removed after 14 years in minnesota. They're cheap and readily available i just cant remember where i got them. Good luck man, i had none of it when i attempted this.

 

[jthod]

I use two small screwdrivers and a long pair of needlenose pliers. Put the screw drivers between the 'teeth' on the side of the clips, and the 'gear type thing' that the clip keeps from spinning when you adjust the light.

I used to just break the 'teeth' off, but it makes adjusting the lights kinda difficult. The bottom clip is a little trickier, use bailing wire, or something similar, to pull up on it. You also have to pry the back of the clip over the locking tab that hold the clip down, while pulling up on the clip.

Just be careful to not break the top off of the clips, that makes taking them out more difficult.

If you still have problems just ask, I've pulled more than I can count. And if you need some, I usually pull them from the SLO's and Sables at the junkyard.

Have Fun!

 

[SHO GoDz 89]

Can't you just take off the entire front mount for the head lights, both of them should come off in one piece.

I don't know, I was just looking at my Chilton and it seemed like that would be the "easiest" way of doing things.

 

[Jonny Cash]

Snap ring tool?

 

[Eric VerValin]

Peice of wire always worked for me. I used 14 guage copper IIRC. Thread it thru the top of the clip, twist it together, and yank. Haven't broken one yet.

 

[hawkeye18]

The copper sounds like a good idea; I'm jealous I didn't think of it before.

Snap ring pliers are the correct tool for the job... you'll want ones with a 90 degree bend in the tips. As usual for these cars, lots and lots and lots of PB blaster is in order.

For new retainers, you'll want to talk to Larry Granback at Motor Pro sales, in midlothian, VA. Their number is 800-468-5700. The part number is C468 and they're $20.63 per box of 25. Just order one box and you'll have plenty forever! That way you can futz around without worrying about running out.

 

[91 shonice]

Just did mine a week ago. For the top ones, use a bent screwdriver or the tool to remove the center caps. For the bottom, 2 srcrewdrivers to move the clips off the rubber lip. then use long pliers to pull up. They will break!!! make sure you buy 3 or 4 clips. You'll be glad you did. oh yeah, you also need 3 hands.

 

[ViPER1313]

Take a long piece of 14ga speaker wire and put it through that hole in the top of the clip. Pull up on both ends of the wire with your left hand while opening the bottom of the clips with a screwdriver - they will pop right out in perfect shape. If you are lucky you can just give the wire a sharp tug and the clip will come out. This method also has the benefit of ensuring you don't loose the clip.

Edit: Damn, someone beat me to it

 

[IM Buddy8]

This is reason I haven't changed mine .... don't feel like braking stuff and getting agravated.. then having to drive around with no headlights for a few days haha..

 

[Toul]

After breaking almost all of mine the first time around I got smart.


Coat hanger. I laugh at my stupidity for not thinking of it myself. Push the coat hanger through the hole in the clip, grab both ends of coat hanger and pull. Made what the first time was a 45 minute fiasco a 2 minute...um...non...fiasco? I donno, it just made it retardedly simple.

 

[BlackonBlack89]

Seriously just take off the entire plastic header panel. takes 20 min total and is alot easier than two screwdrivers. Trust me been there done that. The header panel takes 10 minutes itself, just the bracket bolt then the push clips have to be pulled out. Thats it. I just did this two times when putting the 89 back together. Alot easier than doing it the way I did last year.

 

[Eric VerValin]

Oh yea.. I did forget to mention why I "twisted" the wire... so they don't go flying. I like the solid wire, as opposed to stranded speaker wire or whatever, because it'll stretch, and could break, as opposed to a solid peice of copper.

Go to a junkyard, and practice on some other cars... its really not as hard as everyone is trying to make it out to be. I thought it was hard too until I figured out the 'knack' for it.

 

[shocar]

Just pull the S>O>B's out with needle nose pliers , Order them first at you local parts store. There not that expesive and will save you a lot of frustration

 

[hawkeye18]

did anybody read where I told you exactly where to get large quantities of them for cheap?

 

[SHORANGERBIRD]

-of course there IS a special tool made that slips into the top hole and fingers spread the sides so they will slip right out. you can usually buy them or order them from a tool dealer....

 

[Jonny Cash]

yes. theyre called snap ring pliers.

 

[SHOtime3]

I justed wanted to thank everyone for the useful information.