AE, Clearing headlight for $$$
 

Anyone live in NOVA region want to do this for me? $100 is yours. I guess this is a 4 hrs job, so $25/hr is not that bad for a sunday after noon. I will buy the AE kits if you guys could do it. Thanks a million.

If you flew me there I'd do it for free :). It's not ridiculously hard per say... just the horrifying reaction of loved ones walking by many small pieces on the floor when you've taken it all apart. And actually it took me quite a few hours longer than 4 to complete...not to discourage you or anything.

I bet you can do it though - you'll need a few things:

1) Heat gun
2) Socket sizes (just get some to be handy - from 8mm to 17mm)
3) Black Epoxy, rubber sealant, etc.
4) A good DIY, though it gets self explanatory after a certain point
5) Could do hot glue (I went this route and it's been FINE in sunny CA weather for months now), or plastic clips

There are 4 bolts that hold the headlight housings in place.. then a bunch of disconnecting wires, then disassembly, melting the sealant to "ooze" and the simultaneous yanking of the headlight assembly (the part where you might want two people).

It does take more than 4 hours. If you have an oven that you can hijack, you can bake the headlights and not have to use the heat gun. As an alternative to the glue or clips, you can also use some good quality silicone.
Another note, if you X5 was built in late '02, it might have the headlights that cannot be baked open.

Man that sucks... I have an 02. What months were considered late 02???

9/02? 11/02?

hehe wanna help me with the AEs eric???;)


edit: oops i remember you had a facelifted x5 and probably didnt clear the prefacelift lights before.

what about 2006 lights? do you also need to bake them to open them?

Why would you want to open 2006, they come with the OEM angel eyes!!!

to remove ugly yellow side lights. is that doable?

I'm not 100% sure we have someone in that area but you can check out list of Authorized Installers on our website :)

PM cynicalwry- he installs AE's in Gaithersburg and a few board members have engaged his services.

JV

I wonder if cynicalwry would want to post his information on our list of Authorized Installers. I am sure many of our customers would like to use his services.