Removing MK5 Headlights

[VRSLOZ]

Do I definitely need to drop the bumper to get my headlight unit out? If so how many screws approx are there and what kind of time am I looking at to do it?

Hoping I can get a magnet to get the bulb I dropped in the headlight unit out so might not have to drop the bumper

 

[splinter26]

Yeah you need to drop the bumper to get them off

There's a video on youtube of the german headlights that have the drl strip (completely forgotten the name hence why i cant find the video right now lol) but it shows how to remove the headlights. If i remember it seems to be a half hour 45 minute job i'd imagine the first time you do it.

 

[VRSLOZ]

Let's hope my extenable magnet works, really don't want to be outside in the cold tonight

 

[splinter26]

haha yeah fingers crossed. May be a fiddly job though i can barely put my side lights in with these fat hands lol

 

[Giz]

This happened to me mate.
Luckily i know chris who runs chorley car audio who's got way more knowledge than me when it comes to this kinda thing.
Took my car round to his place expecting the bumper to be taken off, but he had a little wire arm type thing which fit through the bulb hole and he managed to grab the bulb with it!
Guessing the bulbs slide towards the middle grille, stuck in the corner?!?!?!

 

[anthedge]

I have taken the bumper off 4 times now! 3 times due to poxy LED bulbs falling out in headlight when swapping them. I took the front bumper off to do my fog light bulbs as it is so easy. I can do it pretty quick now! Lift bonnet. There are 4 plastic plugs to take out at the top, then about a dozen screws along the bottom of the bumper and under the wheel arches. Turn wheel to full lock one way to make access to screws near wheels easier. You need screwdrivers with the star-shaped head . I got some at halfords. Bumper then just pulls off. Put a blanket or sheet down under bumper. 4 screws to undo for each headlight. There is a YouTube video which shows this. Here is the link:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?nomobile=1&v=1jRJyum3jQk

 

[craigd]

..have you tried a claw tool, about £5 from places like Halfords, works wonders

 

[VRSLOZ]

Bought a bendy tool with a magnet on the end, going to try it after work, hopefully that should do it

 

[R22 JGB]

Try your magnet on a spare bulb first. The metal bit may be non metallic, ie brass or similar

 

[VRSLOZ]

Bendy tool worked thankfully, had it sorted in less than a minute!