Why the "plastic" screws?

You know what I mean, the plas-ta stuff that holds things such as the black plastic "thing" in the front of the engine compartment that covers the actual radiator cap.

I had to replace the halogen bulb -- driver's side headlamp -- today and I broke two of those things. I have a "pak" of them (that cost me a nice set of change), so not like I don't have replacements, but why not just regular bolts/screws (weight, cost, yeah, I know, but).

I always end up removing the entire headlamp assembly to replace the bulb. Never have had the luck -- or the patience -- to try to remove the bulb without taking out the entire assembly.

When I got the assembly out, I had a very difficult time removing the rubber gasket. No way I would have been able to do that without pulling out the whole unit.

It only takes 35 minutes or so and it makes it easy to polish the "muck" from the lens while I have it out of the car.

kris

 

In theory, you can replace the bulbs without removing the headlamp unit. But, I have never been able to break loose the rubber gasket.

Even once the entire unit is out of the car, I still can't get the gaskets to move without using a thin-blade screwdriver to run around the perimeter a few times and then pry, poke and curse until it gives up and comes loose.

Not that big of deal to remove the whole unit. Gives me an easier time when I polish off the oxidation. And gives me a reason to crawl around and check/find other issues, such as the dead mouse I found UNDER the headlamp -- it was atop that big silver cylinder on the driver's side that sits right under the headlamp. Don't know what it does, nor did I care enough to look it up.
kris