HElP..how do I take out my Headlights??? - Honda Prelude Forum

TheGreatOne · 11-13-2001, 09:52 PM

I looked through my Prelude service manual and it doesn't cover this

...I need to take my drivers side headlight out...anyone have tips for me, thanks..I need to get it off asap

Machine Head · 11-13-2001, 10:35 PM

you'll need to remove your front turn signal and parking lenses to get it out.

My manual instructs that you have to remove the front bumper too..but you may not need to.

You are looking at 5 bolts 2 on top, 2 on the left side and 1 on the right side. If you want to do this without removing the bumper than you may need to remove the grey gills on the side of the headlight. Good luck

VeeTec · 11-13-2001, 11:13 PM

Are you talking about the whole assembly, or just the headlight bulb?

shadowZZ · 11-14-2001, 12:43 AM

Ya you need to take out the corner lense and then also the bumper to access the bolts that hold on the light, theres about 4 or 5 holding to the car, its easy to see them when the bumper is off

TheGreatOne · 11-14-2001, 05:34 AM

Yeah, the whole Headlamp assembly..

Dang, so the bumper has to come off huh? I was unsuccesful the last time i tried to take it off, i ended up breaking a few of the tabs...apparently a few of the tabs to take off the bumper are right under the headlamp

..unless my Lude is just weird

thanks for the info though guys, I will try it tonight!

Mark94 · 11-14-2001, 08:07 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by TheGreatOne
Yeah, the whole Headlamp assembly..

Dang, so the bumper has to come off huh? I was unsuccesful the last time i tried to take it off, i ended up breaking a few of the tabs...apparently a few of the tabs to take off the bumper are right under the headlamp ..unless my Lude is just weird

thanks for the info though guys, I will try it tonight!

You don't have to mess with those tabs under the headlights. What you have to do is remove the bumper cover and the actual metal bumper (which is behind the bumper cover) at the same time.

â€¢ remove all tabs on top of the bumper cover
â€¢ remove the little grills next to headlights
â€¢ remove turn signals that are located under headlights
â€¢ once you remove those, you will see two bolts on each side of the car which hold the metal bumper to the frame of the car. You will need a long extension in order for the socket to reach those.
â€¢ then there are two bolts on each side of the car in the wheel wells which connect the bumper cover to the fender. Remove those.
â€¢ Place a large thick blanket from your bed under your bumper cover so that if it falls unexpectedly you will not damage the paint.
â€¢ Then there is one bolt on each side of the car in the engine bay. There is one bolt kind of under each headlight (looks bronze / gold in color). Remove those. The one on the drivers side is easy to get to but on the passenger side you have to loosen your battery tie down and move your battery out of the way for easy access.
â€¢ Then you just have to pull the bumper cover off. When you do this the bumper cover and metal bumper come off in one piece and you don't have to worry about the tabs under the headlights.

It's as easy as that but it takes some time and it is better if you have another person to help you pull off the bumper carefully.

Good luck!

Mark

Curvebal33 · 11-14-2001, 10:31 AM

Wish I had those when I took my bumper off to put in my JDM's. I popped all the tabs under the headlight and took the bumper cover and the metal bumper off separately. Oh well...

TheGreatOne · 11-14-2001, 12:12 PM

Yeah, great instructions...thanks guys, i should have no problems doing this, although I hope there is not to much pulling and tugging cause my car is up on jack stands right now, don't want the 'Lude falling on me

Mark94 · 11-14-2001, 01:03 PM

No problem. There isn't any pulling or tugging involved. If you have all the bolts off the bumper cover and metal bumper will come off with ease.

Mark

TheGreatOne · 11-16-2001, 06:02 AM

Just wanted to say thanks guys,

the instructions were right on, bumper came off with ease and the bolts for the headlights were easy to locate and take off....