facelift e53 turn light signal bulb replacement passenger side

[X5SND]

If you have small hands it can be done without having to take the front bumper off....you can get away with removing the headlight housing bolts mentioned previously by BC, wiggle it forward and 3 point turn the bulb w/holder through the side fender. Only other alternative is to remove the front bumper (which is literally a 10 min job). Some prefer to remove the bumper as it gives you miles of room to work and less of a chance to scratch the bumper when you're moving the housing forward.

There's a bumper removal guide by TwinsPoppa that will guide you how to remove the bumper.

[omodos]

bcredliner and x5sne thanks for the feedback, I gave it a go, same on a facelift 3.0d as it is on the other facelifts, tips you supplied were great , I marked around the location of each washer that the securing screws go through, did it with masking masking tape so screws could go back in the original location, so as not to lose the beam alignment....but below points sound better , to quote you fellas:

"The headlight assembly is secured at 4 points. 2 on top of the assembly and 2 behind and at the bottom of the assembly. . You then can pull the headlight assembly forward enough to get to the parking light bulb. Be sure to mark the location of the assembly on the headlight assembly tabs or better yet, in addition, turn on the bright lights and mark where the headlights are aimed on a garage wall in front of where you parked. "

When I do the other side will take pics....but I reckon access to the bulbs should me much easier in the case you need to change em on the move and dont have a screwdriver and tape or old towel to protect the bumper as you wriggle to assembly out.....thanks again

[X5only]

Originally Posted by X5SND

If you have small hands it can be done without having to take the front bumper off....

Unless your hands are as large as a gorilla's, you will be able to squeeze through and change the turn signal bulbs without removing the bumper or sliding off the headlights. The dealership had quoted $300 (that's not a typo) to install them; that was enough inspiration for me to be creative and resourceful. Just by looking at it, it seems impossible. But when you actually try, you will succeed in reaching them and getting them off.

[omodos]

Originally Posted by X5only

Unless your hands are as large as a gorilla's, you will be able to squeeze through and change the turn signal bulbs without removing the bumper or sliding off the headlights. The dealership had quoted $300 (that's not a typo) to install them; that was enough inspiration for me to be creative and resourceful. Just by looking at it, it seems impossible. But when you actually try, you will succeed in reaching them and getting them off.

X5only thanks for the input I will take a root around there again to see if i can actually see the turn light housing/handle without removing anything , I did manage to replace the faulty bulb with a spare I had lying around by taking off 4 screws and pulling headlamp forward.....funny how fiddly these things are.....I will have to do it again soon as the spare i put in wasn't new....and am actually thinking of putting orange bulbs in rather than the silver chrome ones....