DIY: Headlight Removal

DIGItonium · 06-06-2009, 03:35 PM

-Follow instructions to remove the front bumper. Then pry the fender protector to get access to the harness. It is recommended to turn wheel to one side to get easy access. Work on one headlight at a time, unless front wheels are removed.
-Each headlight has a main harness connector. Push lock clip in, and pull down to unplug the main connector.
-Each wire harness have zip ties with locking clips holding the harness to the headlight. Get behind the clip, squeeze the sides, and the try to unhook the harness from the headlight. It is a pain get behind it. There are two on each side to release from the headlight assembly.

Headlight removal:
1) http://www.the370z.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=23371&stc=1&d=12972150 95[/IMG]

2) This is the 7th pop rivet that separates the rubber lining to get access to one of the driver side headlight bolts.

3) This is the driver side bolt that was covered by the rubber lining. The passenger side bolt is already exposed.

4) Lightly tug the rubber lining above the headlights to get access to a bolt, pop rivet, and a plastic rivet holding the rubber lining. This one takes a bit of effort to pull.

5) The inside side of the headlight, where the rubber lining meets it, has a small pop rivet that is easy to remove. It will allow you to separate the rubber lining from the headlights and expose a few parts to separate. There is a wire harness that is hooked. Pull the harness towards the front to unhook it from the headlight. Unhook cables from the headlight as well. The passenger side is much easier to work on.

6) Remove upper side bolt holding the headlight assembly.

7) Remove the bolt underneath the headlight assembly.

You should be able to pull the headlight towards the front of the car to free it. If it takes more effort to pull the headlight free, check for snags.

miguez · 06-06-2009, 03:44 PM

Fantastic DIGItonium, now we just need a DIY in how to open the headlight casing!

AK370Z · 06-06-2009, 05:22 PM

great DIY. Thanks for posting.

DIGItonium · 06-06-2009, 11:05 PM

Thank you. I got really tired from the heat and mosquitoes, so I missed the photos of the headlight harness.

jikhead · 10-08-2010, 04:22 PM

NOTE: Take note that the 7th pop rivot mentioned above is different from the other six. This one has three edge/openings whereas the others are four. If you mistakingly used this 7th pop rivot in one of the other spots, you'll find that your last rivot in hand will not snap closed in this one spot.

Jquad · 11-15-2010, 09:53 PM

Great DIY ....TY sir

Pelican170 · 11-17-2010, 02:51 PM

Anyone know the best/easiest way to remove the Pop Rivets?

jikhead · 11-18-2010, 08:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Pelican170

Anyone know the best/easiest way to remove the Pop Rivets?

Is this a real question? Do you have one stuck or something? Just use a small flathead screwdriver to pop it up and then remove by hand. Simply. Ones that are covered in dirt and have had dirt for a long time can be difficult to remove sometimes...but since our cars are new and these rivets are up high off the road, shouldn't have this problem.

Pelican170 · 11-19-2010, 09:42 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jikhead

Is this a real question? Do you have one stuck or something? Just use a small flathead screwdriver to pop it up and then remove by hand. Simply. Ones that are covered in dirt and have had dirt for a long time can be difficult to remove sometimes...but since our cars are new and these rivets are up high off the road, shouldn't have this problem.

Uhh yes its a real question. In the past ive broken many of these and figured maybe people have a good method of doing that. Is that so strange to ask??

NISMOFO · 01-23-2011, 04:12 PM

I wish you did more DIY's because this has great detail.

Question, when putting the lights back in, do they align perfectly...only one way? I only ask because I know on the 350Z it took some work to line them up right with the hood/fender/bumper.

DIGItonium · 01-23-2011, 04:56 PM

Thanks!

I never had any issues lining up the headlights. You simply line up with the screw holes. The driver side is much easier to work on. The passenger side has the window washer bottle and hoses.

DIGItonium · 03-17-2011, 12:37 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ddunk80

I have a question in adjusting the headlight bulb... mine seems looking at the trees not on the road.. pretty irritate my wife when driving at night... can you help me guys?

There is an adjustment knob that you can turn using a long neck Philips screw driver. Pop up the hood, and there is a small area for the screw driver to get in for adjustments.

Red__Zed · 03-20-2011, 11:57 PM

good write up

eastwest2300 · 05-27-2011, 04:54 PM

Damn, you had to take off the bumper to remove the headlights?? Icky..

DIGItonium · 05-28-2011, 12:17 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by eastwest2300

Damn, you had to take off the bumper to remove the headlights?? Icky..

Haha it's not that bad. I've had my bumper off again for the past couple of months getting a new set of headlights modded, and I'm about to drop it again because one of the headlights is in need of repair. The scary part is popping the bumper off from each side.

06-06-2009, 05:22 PM	#3 (permalink)
AK370Z Administrator Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: NJ Posts: 9,930 Drives: 09 370Z MB Sports M6 Rep Power: 10	great DIY. Thanks for posting. __________________ The370Z Signature Pictures ll Want to rock our forum decals on your car? Then click here! ll How to Embed YouTube Videos In a Post STOP! (Hammertime) ll Become a Premium Member Click HERE ll F.A.Q. Are You a Nissan Dealer? Click Here to Become A "Supporting Dealer" and Start Listing Your 370Zs In Our Inventory Section My Monterey Blue Z ll My Exhaust --> My Intake --> G3 Nissan's Official Response Regarding Oil Temp Issue: CLICK HERE Need a Set of Cheap Winter wheels /Tires? Then Visit The Banner Link Below and Place Your Order. You'll Help Keep The370Z Alive.

06-06-2009, 11:05 PM	#4 (permalink)
DIGItonium A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Kansas Posts: 3,800 Drives: 09 Z34-TT 6MT Rep Power: 42	Thank you. I got really tired from the heat and mosquitoes, so I missed the photos of the headlight harness. __________________

10-08-2010, 04:22 PM	#5 (permalink)
jikhead Enthusiast Member Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: Little Rock, AR Posts: 425 Drives: 09 370Z Blue 6spd Rep Power: 184	NOTE: Take note that the 7th pop rivot mentioned above is different from the other six. This one has three edge/openings whereas the others are four. If you mistakingly used this 7th pop rivot in one of the other spots, you'll find that your last rivot in hand will not snap closed in this one spot. TreeSemdyZee, AlexRaymond19 and russw007 like this.

11-15-2010, 09:53 PM	#6 (permalink)
Jquad A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Apr 2010 Location: Ny Posts: 1,391 Drives: 2k10Z34Pw Rep Power: 17	Great DIY ....TY sir __________________ \|\|F.I.CBE 18" CF muffler\|\|Injen CAI\|\|CF Bpillars\|\|CF Stage 1 Side mirror\|\|CS Amuse Kit\|\|JquadHeadlights\|\|3mTB35%Tint\|\|Work Gnosis GS2\|\| Wish List==>\|\|GTM TT\|\|Coils\|\|Camber Arms\|\|Tires\|\|Wing\|\|Hotchkis Sways\|\|

01-23-2011, 04:56 PM	#11 (permalink)
DIGItonium A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Kansas Posts: 3,800 Drives: 09 Z34-TT 6MT Rep Power: 42	Thanks! I never had any issues lining up the headlights. You simply line up with the screw holes. The driver side is much easier to work on. The passenger side has the window washer bottle and hoses. __________________

06-06-2009, 03:44 PM	#2 (permalink)
miguez Enthusiast Member Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: Columbus, Ohio Posts: 359 Drives: '04 Cavalier Rep Power: 181	Fantastic DIGItonium, now we just need a DIY in how to open the headlight casing!

11-17-2010, 02:51 PM	#7 (permalink)
Pelican170 Track Member Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: Sandy Hook, CT Posts: 972 Drives: Nissan 370z Nismo Rep Power: 16	Anyone know the best/easiest way to remove the Pop Rivets?

01-23-2011, 04:12 PM	#10 (permalink)
NISMOFO Enthusiast Member Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: McKinney, TX Posts: 269 Drives: 370Z Rep Power: 16	I wish you did more DIY's because this has great detail. Question, when putting the lights back in, do they align perfectly...only one way? I only ask because I know on the 350Z it took some work to line them up right with the hood/fender/bumper.

03-20-2011, 11:57 PM	#13 (permalink)
Red__Zed A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: window seat Posts: 28,940 Drives: Mostly on two wheels Rep Power: 120	good write up

05-27-2011, 04:54 PM	#14 (permalink)
eastwest2300 A True Z Fanatic Join Date: May 2010 Location: South FL Posts: 90,987 Drives: '16QX70/'21 Supra3.0 Rep Power: 2684550	Damn, you had to take off the bumper to remove the headlights?? Icky.. __________________ Infiniti QX70 & Toyota Supra 3.0 Premium

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