Remove headlight for turn signal? Really?

[Naz24]

I was just looking at the DIY for turn signal replacement ( mine just went out on the front passenger side). Do I really need to remove the headlight?

Any tips or recommendations are appreciated.

[TerminatorX5]

has been like that from day 1 when E53 came about...

there are four screws, holding the headlight... use a towel to put on top of bumper, so not to scrach the bumper when the light comes out... pull out just enough to get to the light bulb... if you have xenon ballast, there might be a grounding screw holding the ballast to frame...

[mrbmwx5]

Tips????? Drop the bumper and remove the headlights housing ...

[TiAgX5]

Originally Posted by Naz24

I was just looking at the DIY for turn signal replacement ( mine just went out on the front passenger side). Do I really need to remove the headlight?

Any tips or recommendations are appreciated.

Headlight has to come out. When my pass side front blew, out I ordered the set of 6 mirror bulbs from Stealth Auto ($80, lifetime replacement). You should, when one goes from age the others usually follow.

[X5SND]

Mask off the top of the bumper underneath the headlamp housing, remove the 4 screws holding the headlamp and wiggle it forward. You should be able to just enough room to get a couple fingers from the side and top.....enough to unlock the holder and do a 3 point turn with it to get it out through the side. Ive swapped out many different LED bulbs for the sides, not once did I take the bumper off.

If you have short sausages for fingers though, you may have some troubles!

[upallnight]

Originally Posted by TerminatorX5

has been like that from day 1 when E53 came about...

there are four screws, holding the headlight... use a towel to put on top of bumper, so not to scrach the bumper when the light comes out... pull out just enough to get to the light bulb... if you have xenon ballast, there might be a grounding screw holding the ballast to frame...

I use Blue Painter's Tape to tape the bumper under the headlight to prevent any scratches when removing the headlights. Thin enough to get under the headlight and won't leave any residues on the bumper. Plus it won't come off until you want it to come off.

Careful that you don't bend the painted lower trim at the bottom of the light.

Originally Posted by X5SND

...................If you have short sausages for fingers though, you may have some troubles!

You know what they say about men with short fingers........................they wear short gloves.

[pezho405]

You dont need to remove bumper even with headlamp washers. the light pulls out far enough to get to the bulb holder. Just wiggle it around

[tmv]

It's suck that you have to remove the bumper in order to remove the headlight assembly , on facelift model.

[Hal72]

tips, buy some extra screws and/or a magnet rod. Just did replaced my blinker. And you will drop the bottom screws..

[Qsilver7]

This is where vehicle ID in a permanent signature or in your car info plays an important roll for members that are reading the thread but may not be making any comments.

There is a difference between the 1st gen & facelift e53 X5. And some replies in this thread are specific to one or the other set-up...but its not revealed due to lack of vehicle's identification. If this applies to you then really consider adding your vehicles model/model year/build date in a permanent signature.

A signature with your car's info is not just for you...but it helps others, too...they can see if your reply is based on a particular set-up based on vehicle model year...or build date during the production run...and determine if something you've written applies to them or not.

Help the forum be all it can be by adding vehicle model/model year/build date so that others searching through old threads etc...can identify if what has been written applies to them.

For instance, the small trim below the headlights (items #3 & #4 in diagram below) are only used on e53s up to 10/2003 (00-03 model year). So if you have the (LCI) face-lift models...do you have to remove the bumper to change the bulb...or can you remove your headlight assembly without removing the bumper? :