Replacing burnt out headlight questions

Its a nightmare. Just did it 3 weeks ago without taking the bumper cover off. Did it with the mirror.

The video is of Carolyn owner of Luscious Garage.com in San Francisco. Her video shows an exposed bolt in the wheel well that allows you to take the bumper off easily. My 07 that bolt is covered by the wheel well liner which involves alot of work to take off. Jack up and take the tires off etc. If your 06 is like the one in the video and that bolt is exposed follow Carolyn's lead and pull the bumper.

Mine was also complicated by melted sockets which I replaced also. Real hassle and cut up hands. Tough job imho.

 

Regarding the bolt covered by a wheel liner, you can pull the liner back to expose the bolt w/o remove any tires/wheels.

When I changed one my HIDs long ago, it was a nightmare as the stupid spring clip came off and there was no way I could put it back on w/o being able to see. I couldn't remove the washer tank either to make room. The round cover was also really tough to turn.

So, I ended up having to remove the bumper cover. I had some help from two apartment residents that walked by, one of which is a Mercedes mechanic, apparently so he was quite familiar w/how cars are put together.

 

I'm so desperate I 'm considering drilling a hole in the round black plastic cover (which will NOT budge no matter how much force I use on it) inserting a steel rod and using the leverage to break it loose.

Any opinions on whether or not this would work is greatly appreciated...I don't really care if the cover is destroyed as I - obviously - can get a replacement.

 

Halogens right not HID's? Are you talking about the black rubber cover behind the light assy? Are you turning it the right way?
Counterclock wise from the back? Mine came off but it was a hassle as its stuck on there from the heat.

Steel rod won't help as its mostly rubber. Only the sealing edge is hard plastic and thats up against the light frame.
Take the bumper cover off so you can take the light assy out.

 

No, they are HID's. It's solid plastic. Definitely turning CC...absolutely no play.

 

I don't know about HID's mine are halogens and my rubber cover has big ears/tabs so you can use those to turn it.

 

From what I recall of looking at videos and the manuals before (the owner's manual only documents changing halogens, not HIDs) is that what's behind the assemblies is different between the HIDs and halogens. The big round cover on HID cars isn't rubber but it does have tabs. The cover was very hard for me to turn. It was so hard, that I thought I'd have to remove the bumper cover to get enough leverage and room.

 

I just changed both of mine (2007 model w/ halogen bulb 9003), drivers side is much easier if you just take off the cover to the fuse / relay box and then it's much easier to get your hands in there. The passenger side can be done easily also. If you look at the black cover that is over top of the radiator remove both the screw / bolt closest to headlight and the next closest is a fastener, lift up slightly allowing you to move the thing which is in the way. I hope this helps.