Changing headlight bulb - easy?

[Legend83]

I am driving round in the dark looking like a motorbike at the moment - highly illegal I am sure.

Is it easy to replace the bulb or is it an absolute bh?

[Raify]

Pretty simple. 10 mins with a screwdiver:

1 remove screws holding plastic surround
2 remove screws holding metal ring that holds the lens in place
3 pull out whole assembly, slip off the rubber cover and remove the bulb holder
4 change bulb

[pmanson]

Raify said:

Pretty simple. 10 mins with a screwdiver:

1 remove screws holding plastic surround
2 remove screws holding metal ring that holds the lens in place
3 swear at the rusty screws that someone in a previous life has mangled
4 evenutally pull out whole assembly, slip off the rubber cover and remove the bulb holder
4 change bulb
5 while refitting drop screws in the dark
6 swear some more when you cut your finger
7 have a beer

[MX-5 Lazza]

I think it's only 3 (maybe only 2) screws that you have to undo on the metal ring. Don't touch the ones with springs on them - they adjust the beam direction and don't need to be removed.

[Legend83]

Cheers guys, any recommendations for new bulbs or just go with stock ones?

[Raify]

MX-5 Lazza said:

I think it's only 3 (maybe only 2) screws that you have to undo on the metal ring. Don't touch the ones with springs on them - they adjust the beam direction and don't need to be removed.

It's 3 screws. one at 6 0'clock, one at 10 and one at 2.

[maz8062]

How easy depends on what model you have. If it's a mk1 you may have a sealed beam unit which will mean changing the entire headlight. If you don't it'll be as easy as 123.

[Legend83]

It is a 1997 mk1.

[maz8062]

Legend83 said:

It is a 1997 mk1.

Check it out my friend, it'll soon become clear whether it's a sealed beam unit or otherwise

[MX-5 Lazza]

H4 bulbs.

Osram or Ring Xenon Upgrade +90% from http://www.autobulbsdirect.co.uk/

[Legend83]

MX-5 Lazza said:

H4 bulbs.

Osram or Ring Xenon Upgrade +90% from http://www.autobulbsdirect.co.uk/

Great shout!

Cheers.

[Howard-]

Tip: Use a big screwdriver so you can get decent purchase on the rusty screws else you'll just round them off. Once you've done that, it's easy Just don't undo the alignment screws

[MX-5 Lazza]

They should be Phillips screws. As long as you use the correct size Phillips screwdriver you shouldn't have a problem.

[.:ian:.]

Legend83 said:

It is a 1997 mk1.

If its anything like my 97 mk1 then you dont touch any of the screws, there sre 3 screws, all sprung, and you twist the headlight unit to disengage the screws from their slots.. however the will probably be rusty as hell and hard to move..

If you unscrew any of the screws it mucks up the alignment..

[Raify]

The screws holding the metal ring are in those figure of eight holes. You can just loosen them, twist the ring 5mm and remove it, leaving the screws in situ.

The alignment screws are completely separate.

[Legend83]

Do I need to disconnect the battery?

[Kinky]

I had to replace one of mine a while ago - and they were sealed units. I had the option to replace with another sealed unit - or replace with a standard headlamp and bulbs - so in future just replace the bulbs. So that's what I opted for

I got them from MX-5 Parts - and arrived next day.

It's a very simple job to replace. Took me all of about 5 minutes in total to replace both, from start to finish.

Just make sure to loosen the retaining screws and not the alignment screws (as outlined above).

No need to disconnect the battery.

K

[pmanson]

I've had both bulbs go over the course of about two weeks - 2nd time was a lot quicker to change although I probably should replace the knackered and rusty screws at some point

[Legend83]

MX-5 Lazza said:

H4 bulbs.

Osram or Ring Xenon Upgrade +90% from http://www.autobulbsdirect.co.uk/

YHM

Showing my ineptitude here but anyone know how to fit these Xenon upgrades? It is sitting on my coffee table looking decidely complicated...

[snotrag]

I just fitted some Osram H4 Nightbreakers this week - they are tne fold better than the boggo Halogens that were fitted previously. Previous owner had swappedthe sealed units for normal Halogens a few years back. They were garbage.

Oh, and in weather like this - clean your headlights - EVERY trip. You dont notice the build up as you can see it. But they are very prone to getting caked up as they are vertical. If you've driven a hundred miles since you last did it on the salty wet roads we've got in this country at the moment, they will be filthy!