Hello. I have a 2001 S40 that I am trying to replace both headlight assemblies in. It appears that the front bumper has to be removed to complete this. I was able to pull on the front bumper slightly and remove one of the headlight assemblies, but the other won't budge. So it appears I am going to have to remove the bumper, or at least loosen it.

Does anyone have a good idea how to remove the bumper, or at least loosen it to get these headlight assemblies out... and back in? I looked around and I couldn't figure out an easy way to do it.

Thanks in advance for all responses.

 

I wiggled mine out without removing the bumper cover. Once you get the assembly over the edge of the bumper cover it comes out pretty easily.

 

Thanks for your reply.

I guess if all else fails I'll keep trying to wiggle it out.

 

Yes it does come out.Only thing is you have to apply some force pushing down the closest edge to the light on the bumper.It does flex just enough to help the part out.

 

I had to fight with it a little, but the assembly did come out. Thanks for all the help!

 

Thanks for your reply.

 

Thanks Galadrium, I've been wanting to do mine but have been very afraid...

 

No problem. I'm still waiting on the headlight assemblies to arrive. I'll let you know how the installation goes.

 

I just got the installation completed. The install went a lot easier than the removal.

So in summary here's some tips to all of you who are thinking about doing this. I made the mistake of thinking that the bumper needed to come off, it doesn't. I wasted a lot of time removing the splash guard and other stuff. Not necessary. You will probably need to pry a little on the edge of the upper part of the bumper as you are removing the headlight assemblies. There's a lip on the edge of the bumper that prevents them from simply popping out. You might have to fight with them a little, but they will come out. On the installation you will need to pry on the same area to allow the bottom of the headlight assembly to fall into place. Again, installation went much easier than removal. Reinstall all the nuts, screws, and connectors and you are ready to go.

This is my girlfriend's car. She initially went to a chain repair shop where they quoted her $980 to do this job. I purchased a set of brand new headlight assemblies on Ebay for $245 shipped. They even came with new headlight bulbs.

I could probably do this job again in less than 2 hours, easily worth $700+ in savings.

 

Excellent job! My drivers side needs replacing, dealer quoted over $600. Looking to save even more by replacing with a used one, so a new one doesn't look much out of place?