Removing headlights

[Dolsvt00]

Anyone got a how to or pictures, I wanna change up some things and I need to remove them.

*Remove the whole light/lens assembly on a gen 4*

 

[Bill Strobel]

They are easy. The hardest thing are the retaining clips. There are 2 or 3 clips per light. You need a 90 degree pair of snap ring pliers to spread the clip as pull up. Remove the clips the light comes right out.

 

[Racer X]

They are easy. The hardest thing are the retaining clips. There are 2 or 3 clips per light. You need a 90 degree pair of snap ring pliers to spread the clip as pull up. Remove the clips the light comes right out.

Bill, this is the Gen 4 section.

If I recall correctly, the front bumper has to come off to remove the headlights.

 

[N8rfastback]

can it really be that hard? boy thats gonna irritate me if they made it a bear to take the headlights out of these gen 4's

 

[SHOrod]

can it really be that hard? boy thats gonna irritate me if they made it a bear to take the headlights out of these gen 4's

Are you thinking of the bulbs, or the entire headlight assembly, lens and all? Bulbs shouldn't be that difficult, but I believe the original poster is referring to the entire assembly. Hopefully you don't plan to need to remove the entire assemblies all that often.

-Rod

 

[Dolsvt00]

Yes I want to remove the entire assembly, I want to bake the lens remove it from the backing and remove all the mirror coating on the inside in order to change it to a "black chrome" backing instead of shiny mirror.

 

[N8rfastback]

I mean the entire assembly as well... pretty much for the same reason dolsvt00 has stated... I hate things that are engineered into a pain to remove type of situation

 

[Billm0066]

There's a how to for removing the front bumper. Just follow that and then remove the lights. My guess is this is done so people wont try and steal the headlights from our cars.

 

[SHO U UP]

I don't think you have to remove the whole bumper to get the headlights out, but I may be wrong. I don't remember back when I removed mine. Be real careful not to damage the lights though, as replacing them will set you back a small fortune. Or, a couple older Generation SHOs.

 

[Zrolimit]

Yes I want to remove the entire assembly, I want to bake the lens remove it from the backing and remove all the mirror coating on the inside in order to change it to a "black chrome" backing instead of shiny mirror.

Is this a DIY for the headlamps or are you having them professionally done?

I'll give you a fair bit of warning if you haven't done this before, it's a PITA!!! I did a flat black job on my 350Z headlamps (similar setup- remove bumper, remove retaining bolts on headlamp, remove wiring harnesses, etc about 12-14 hours for removal, paint and install) and they worked great for about 8 months but the silicone sealant eventually let moisture into the housing and ruined one of the lamps. Also you take a chance with warping the housing if you're not careful.

Last I checked our headlamps are about twice the cost of what I paid for the upgraded headlamps for my Z. About $1200 per lamp as opposed to $1200 for my Z pair. If you can get them professionally done that would be the way to go IMO, but if you can get this done yourself and it looks great I may just send you my lamps and some cash and you can do mine!

 

[Billm0066]

Is this a DIY for the headlamps or are you having them professionally done?

I'll give you a fair bit of warning if you haven't done this before, it's a PITA!!! I did a flat black job on my 350Z headlamps (similar setup- remove bumper, remove retaining bolts on headlamp, remove wiring harnesses, etc about 12-14 hours for removal, paint and install) and they worked great for about 8 months but the silicone sealant eventually let moisture into the housing and ruined one of the lamps. Also you take a chance with warping the housing if you're not careful.

Last I checked our headlamps are about twice the cost of what I paid for the upgraded headlamps for my Z. About $1200 per lamp as opposed to $1200 for my Z pair. If you can get them professionally done that would be the way to go IMO, but if you can get this done yourself and it looks great I may just send you my lamps and some cash and you can do mine!

Manufacturers use different types of sealants. In the past cars I have opened lights, Ford has always been pretty tough. Not impossible, but it was difficult. I opened a set of hid Chrysler t&c lights and it was impossible. I had to dremel it open to gut the parts out.

You should never use silicone to seal a headlight as an only resort. Nissan Rubber butyl, or 3m window weld that is in the ribbon style (not the stuff in a tube). It's pliable and will seal out all moisture.

If you screw up you can always get one from ebay. It will be a lot cheaper than buying one from the dealer. You can always buy a halogen light and practice on that. It's the same exact light besides a halogen projector.

 

[Zrolimit]

Manufacturers use different types of sealants. In the past cars I have opened lights, Ford has always been pretty tough. Not impossible, but it was difficult. I opened a set of hid Chrysler t&c lights and it was impossible. I had to dremel it open to gut the parts out.

You should never use silicone to seal a headlight as an only resort. Nissan Rubber butyl, or 3m window weld that is in the ribbon style (not the stuff in a tube). It's pliable and will seal out all moisture.

If you screw up you can always get one from ebay. It will be a lot cheaper than buying one from the dealer. You can always buy a halogen light and practice on that. It's the same exact light besides a halogen projector.

The DIY write-up I used called for RTV Silicone Sealant which, at the time, looked and sealed exactly like what Nissan was using. I chalk it up to one part bad write-up and one-part me not knowing what the **** I was doing! Just figured I'd let him know if he hadn't tackled this before. Good info though if I ever decide to go crazy again.

 

[Billm0066]

If anyone wants some of the window ribbon weld just send me a pm. I have enough to do 4 sets of lights in my garage. A big roll is about $16 from most auto part stores.