Headlight replacement - need to remove bumper?

[blue_reality]

Hey Gang,

Got some new headlights and getting started on this during the week but I've been doing some researching and can't find a definitive answer. Does the bumper need to be removed to remove the actual headlights? To access the bolts holding them in?

And if not is there a how to anywhere? I saw one on vortex but the link is broken and this video leads me to believe that the bumper needs to come off...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qfoVOpRsNvo

Cheers!

[EVN-88G]

unfortunately, there are 2 bolts on the underside of the headlight unit which can only be accessed by removing the bumper. There are afew torx screws that need to be undone under the front bumper and in the wheel well i think to remove the front bumper. im sure someone will post a link to pictures, as i used to use that vortex page, but as you said it is gone. it was good tho.

Ev.

[sierra055]

Yeah, unfortunately has to come out. I've gotten to be pretty practiced at it lately with headlight, SMIC installs etc.

It's really pretty basic.
Remove the 2 plastic grills in the front left and right of the bar. There are 2 tabs on each one that you push down, then pull the grill toward you.
Unscrew the Torx screw in each. Don't forget to unclip the temperature sender in the passenger side one!

Remove the centre grill (where VW badge is)
To do this, there's a little tab just on the top centre, push this with a flathead screw driver.
Next, remove the bonnet release. To do this, I use a small flat head and seperate the 2 sides away from the release.
On the top left and top right of the grill are two clips, just pull the grill back toward you and they should pop out.
Lastly, the bottom clips. Just tilt the top of the grill toward you and pull up.

There are now 5(?) Torx screws to remove across the top of the bar.

Next, you'll need to turn the wheels full lock to the left, then the right to remove the 4 lowest Torx screws from the wheel liner and the bar.

Next, have someone assist to pull the bar straight back. It might be a little hard at first, VW have a cool seating system so it locates perfectly back in. Just pull straight back from the wheel well toward you each side at a time.

Fitting is the reverse.

[sierra055]

Actually, after all that, I just found that I have a copy of that how to in MHT format if anyone wants...

[blue_reality]

Yeah, unfortunately has to come out. I've gotten to be pretty practiced at it lately with headlight, SMIC installs etc.

It's really pretty basic.
Remove the 2 plastic grills in the front left and right of the bar. There are 2 tabs on each one that you push down, then pull the grill toward you.
Unscrew the Torx screw in each. Don't forget to unclip the temperature sender in the passenger side one!

Remove the centre grill (where VW badge is)
To do this, there's a little tab just on the top centre, push this with a flathead screw driver.
Next, remove the bonnet release. To do this, I use a small flat head and seperate the 2 sides away from the release.
On the top left and top right of the grill are two clips, just pull the grill back toward you and they should pop out.
Lastly, the bottom clips. Just tilt the top of the grill toward you and pull up.

There are now 5(?) Torx screws to remove across the top of the bar.

Next, you'll need to turn the wheels full lock to the left, then the right to remove the 4 lowest Torx screws from the wheel liner and the bar.

Next, have someone assist to pull the bar straight back. It might be a little hard at first, VW have a cool seating system so it locates perfectly back in. Just pull straight back from the wheel well toward you each side at a time.

Fitting is the reverse.

Fantastic - thank you so much for that. I'll be posting up photos and video when it's done! Cheers!