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      11-10-2010, 10:50 PM   #1
tha_good_life
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Removing Headlight Bolts

This sounds like a dumb question but does anyone know how to remove these bolts including the bolts on top of the headlights? The bolts seems to have loctite on them which makes it impossible to remove without breaking the clip.
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      11-10-2010, 11:00 PM   #2
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impact tool? I assume you're installing your orions?
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      11-10-2010, 11:22 PM   #3
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yes and I can't believe the easiest part is giving me the most problem!
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      11-10-2010, 11:36 PM   #4
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Shouldn't be a problem if you just unscrew them? If you are using the star head screw driver (TX30?) and turn the screws, do they even turn?
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      11-11-2010, 01:24 AM   #5
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They turn until it gets stuck. Turning it more will snap the bracket which I broke 4 today. Each of the bolts on the headlights are sealed with Loctite which made it impossible to remove. I bought a mini torch to heat up the bolts to loosen the loctite in order to remove it.

Taking off the headlights alone took me 2+HRs to figure out how to do it.
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      06-03-2011, 07:36 PM   #6
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I took those out with no issue using a torx. I was trying to replace my headlight assembly and thought by removing it would allow for easier access to the torx bolt under the assembly.
How did you mange to remove the bolt under the bottom of the assembly? the head faces toward the engine and radiator.
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      06-04-2011, 12:49 AM   #7
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Those bolts shouldn't be 'loctited' IMO. At least not with red one. Remember loctited bolts break loose MUCH easier with sudden impact than steady force. Just hit the ratchet with your (gloved) hand and it should easily give up. Those torx heads take some abuse. I wouldn't use an impact wrench, however. If not able to break them loose hitting ratchet with palm, then some heat is in order. Good luck.
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      03-29-2012, 09:26 AM   #8
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I just removed mine and slow steady turning worked best. Didn't break one clip. Used a 1/4" ratchet.

BMW didn't use Loctite but it is something similar. More like hardened pipe dope. A little heat will definitely help. I'm sure they did this to keep the headlights from going out of alignment.

The bolt under the headlight is almost impossible to remove but it can be done using extensions and a universal. However you need to take off the support bracket that the bottom bolt is screwed to (4 more screws) in order to get the light assembly out and that will give you easy access to the bottom bolt.
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      08-07-2012, 09:49 PM   #9
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Originally Posted by jvitas View Post
The bolt under the headlight is almost impossible to remove but it can be done using extensions and a universal. However you need to take off the support bracket that the bottom bolt is screwed to (4 more screws) in order to get the light assembly out and that will give you easy access to the bottom bolt.
Anyone have pictures or description of where these other four screws are? I am assuming two of these are the ones pictured here? Where are the other 2 and are they standard hex or torx?
I am having a heck of a time getting to that last torx bolt under the headlight!
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Last edited by snowmants; 08-07-2012 at 09:54 PM..
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      08-08-2012, 10:46 AM   #10
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Originally Posted by snowmants View Post
Anyone have pictures or description of where these other four screws are? I am assuming two of these are the ones pictured here? Where are the other 2 and are they standard hex or torx?
I am having a heck of a time getting to that last torx bolt under the headlight!
OK I found them. They are behind the headight in the wheel well and they are 2 more of the 30 Torx bolts like the ones pictured.
I got the first headlight out. That torx screw underneath the headlight took me 2 hours and 2 trips to sears to get out.... Once I had the right setup on my socket wrench I was able to slowly loosen it and finally remove it.

EDIT: I did the second headlight and instead of cramming a socket wrench in to undo the TX30 bolt directly under the headlight, I just removed the headlight bracket that the headlight sits on and headlight as one piece. It took like 10 minutes vs. 2 hours on the first headlight I did. I wish I had known this on the first headlight!
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Last edited by snowmants; 08-08-2012 at 10:46 PM..
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