Installing 50% brighter headlamp bulbs on a Mk1a with seized headlamp bolts

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Categories: MR2 Mk1 Articles -> Exterior

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[url=https://imoc.co.uk/app.php/kb/viewarticle?a=105&sid=8ee5f79a754d46f786fc4e31457ab804]Knowledge Base - Installing 50% brighter headlamp bulbs on a Mk1a with seized headlamp bolts[/url]

If like me, you\'ve found that on your Mk1a the bolts holding the chrome surround holding the headlamp in place have rusted solid and can\'t be unscrewed by normal methods, there is an alternative way of changing the headlamp bulbs.

I used this process to change the bulbs on my Mk1a recently.

<b>Tools and equipment:</b>
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  • [*:19c5b7f836]10mm socket, 15cm extension bar, ratchet (ideally)
    [*:19c5b7f836]2 x Halfords 50% brighter H4 headlamp bulbs
    [*:19c5b7f836]Flatblade stubby screwdriver (optional)[/list:u:19c5b7f836]
    \Time \: 30 minutes

    \Method:\

    1. Lock the headlamps in the up and off position.

    2. If you look under the front wing, you\'ll see a flat plastic panel underneath the headlamp that runs around in a L shape to the inside of the front wheel arch and forwards to he front bumper..

    3. This panel is secured by 3 10mm self tapping bolts - remove these, and remove the panel.

    4. Looking upwards you should now be able to see up all the way to the rear of the headlamp.

    5. Next is the tricky bit, and you need to have fairly long arms and a good sense of touch as you\'ll be doing this mostly blind.

    6. Reaching up from underneath, follow the cable that leads to the bulb on the back of the headlamp.

    7. Pull this off, and then you can remove the rubber ring around the outside of the bulb.

    8. Next, there is a ring to remove that secures the bulb in place - twist and it should come free.

    9. Now you should be able to remove the headlamp bulb - you may find it is a very snug fit. If the bulb won\'t come free easily, use a stubby flatblade screwdriver to prise it gently free.

    10. As all the Haynes manuals say : Installation is the reverse of removal (!)

    You may need to spend sometime ensuring the new bulb is seated correctly into the headlamp - if it is not, the ring behind the headlamp will not go back on. Re-installation should be fairly straightforwards.

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    • [/list:u:19c5b7f836]