Replacing S1 Headlight Bulbs - Wheels off job?

Replacing S1 Headlight Bulbs - Wheels off job?

Author
Discussion

Dr Bob

Original Poster:

637 posts

269 months

Monday 16th December 2002
quotequote all
All in the subject line really, after replacing both of my girlfriends lightbulbs in the last two weeks, made me wonder about how hard it is to get to them on the Elise.

They don't need doing, but wondering for future, or a probable bulb upgrade if they don't need to come off.

CH

By the way, s1, not lowered or anything!

thub

1,359 posts

291 months

Monday 16th December 2002
quotequote all
Take a look on the technical section of www.british-cars.co.uk. I'm sure this will have been covered.

gfoz

35 posts

267 months

Monday 16th December 2002
quotequote all
Dr Bob, I recently had to do this job - you definitely don't need to take the wheels off, just jack up the car to get the wheel to drop and turn them on to full lock to get them out of your way.

I found this link helpful when I did mine:
www.ziplockk.com/driving/headlamps/index.shtml

Cheers, gfoz

Dr Bob

Original Poster:

637 posts

269 months

Monday 16th December 2002
quotequote all
cheers gfoz,

I don't even have a jack at the moment, but will wisely invest in one befroe too long, thanks for the help!

CH

fergusd

1,247 posts

277 months

Monday 16th December 2002
quotequote all
Hah !

beat me to a link to my own website

You may just be able to do it without jacking up the car, but you will have to have the arms of a midget pigmy (I don't), oh and being double jointed may be of benefit.

If you have lowered suspension (as I have - but not when the pics were taken) it may be a wheel off job, I cannot access the lights now without removing the wheels . . .

Also very worthwhile sticking some Philips Vision plus when you change them, also check your headlamp alighment, sorting both actually makes the lights reasonably good . . .

hth

Fd

wob

65 posts

291 months

Thursday 19th December 2002
quotequote all
Be careful when fiddling around to change the bulb. When doing mine over the summer the metal frame that is bonded to the clamshell came away in my hand! I then had to get the wheelarch liner off and muck about with a fibreglass repair kit to re-fix it, which was a pain.

It might be because mine is a relatively old S1 (#83), but it seemed that the fibreglass had just disintegrated. Slightly worrying, makes you wonder what else is going to start falling off the older cars...

Spinning-v-Grid

115 posts

264 months

Thursday 19th December 2002
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Like FD mentioned,

Purchase a higher grade bulb, I fitted the Phillips to my car, see the difference

fergusd

1,247 posts

277 months

Thursday 19th December 2002
quotequote all
I've been an ass . . . not the first time . . . not for the last either . . .

You CAN change the bulbs without jacking the car even with a lower ride height as I have.

To change the left hand bulb turn the steering fully right and pull back the wheel arch liner as shown in the pics, with a bit of manipulation the bulb is removable . . .

I blew a bulb last night and couldn't be bothered getting the jack out . . .

eejit

Fd

Dr Bob

Original Poster:

637 posts

269 months

Friday 20th December 2002
quotequote all
good one fergus, might try it after all then - esp as I now have a few days of not needing to drive anywhere!

ah to be able to see at night!

gfoz

35 posts

267 months

Friday 20th December 2002
quotequote all
Ha ha! I hadn't even realised that site was yours Fergus! I get to thank the author in person then - Thanks Fergus!

Great site - any site that can offer tips to save my amateur knuckles is a good site in my books!

fergusd

1,247 posts

277 months

Friday 20th December 2002
quotequote all

gfoz said:Great site - any site that can offer tips to save my amateur knuckles is a good site in my books!


www.elise-faq.info is another one I participate in . . .

We welcome comments/submissions/content requests

Fd