Help: Removing WK Headlights

[tman4024]

Anyone have advice on how to get the headlight assembly off? I can't seem to reach the one screw that is at the bottom (under the low beam).


I was looking on wkjeeps.com and they have a pdf file for how to remove the headlights, but the link is broken. Anyone have the file saved?

http://wkjeeps.com/kmenu.htm

[iJeep]

Hey Tman. I've done it a couple os times. To do it right, You have remove the front bumper cover and bumper bracket first to get to the screws that holds the HLs...

EDIT: Oh yeah, be careful with the HLs tabs, they break easy.

[White Chocolate]

Lol haha this would have been good news to know 2 days ago when I put my HID's in, I could not for the life of me get the headlamps out, oh well I got everything to squeeze in lol.

[Scottina06]

returned your email Jeremy. The one next to the grill is a pita and you need the smallest ratchet to get to it.

[tman4024]

I don't think I'll have a problem with that one, it's the one on the bottom under the low beam that I think will be the hardest.

[Scottina06]

that was the easiest one.....we must be talking about different bolts. I will say on the 08-09 bumper...the one next to the grill is not as bad now. I have large hands...but my wife was able to squeeze her hand through the space and loosen it for me.

For the one you are talkin about Jeremy...I just laid on the ground and reached up through the bumper and fender well area.

[Frankie]

Yeah, the bottom one was soooo hard that I never put it back on! LOL

[White Chocolate]

I couldnt even find the bottom screw closest to the fendor, I said **** it and squeezed my girlfriends little hands so she could put the bulbs in.

[tman4024]

So I got up under the jeep after work today and got my fingers up to the screw under the lowbeam without much problem. It looks like there is enough room for me to get it out. Am I missing something? Could the 08's maybe have a different setup in that area?

I should have 2 hrs or so free tomorrow night, so hopefully that will be enough time to get everything done.

[Escape]

I tried without removing the bumper and I just came to the conclusion that it is so much easier if you just remove the bumper to begin with!

Takes maybe 15 minutes to remove it. Plus on the 05 there is a guide slot the inner lower bolt fits into and you have to remove the bumper first or break it...I chose to remove the bumper.

Escape

[Scottina06]

Do you mean under the high bulb next to the grill Jeremy...becasue the one under the low beam is easy and right in the open. The guide slots and 08-09 headlights are the same as the 05-07 as far as mounting and mounting tabs.....they do come out without removing the bumper...I have done it atleast 4 times now.

[iJeep]

I tried without removing the bumper and I just came to the conclusion that it is so much easier if you just remove the bumper to begin with!

Takes maybe 15 minutes to remove it. Plus on the 05 there is a guide slot the inner lower bolt fits into and you have to remove the bumper first or break it...I chose to remove the bumper.

Escape

YES!!! Thank you.. :thumbsup:

[HEMIBeast]

This is very informative thanks.

[tman4024]

Do you mean under the high bulb next to the grill Jeremy...becasue the one under the low beam is easy and right in the open. The guide slots and 08-09 headlights are the same as the 05-07 as far as mounting and mounting tabs.....they do come out without removing the bumper...I have done it atleast 4 times now.


Frankie said he couldn't get the bottom on one back on which is why I thought it might be difficult to reach. Maybe he was just talking about the one near the grill...

[B.P.O.D]

anyone have pics of the process?

[Scottina06]

the best way to get to the bolt next to the grill on the 08-09 is to remove the grill and use a very small rachet to reach the screw. You can also lay on the ground near the fender well, next to your wheel and reach up through the bumper and use the smallest rachet you have. It is very tight and very tedious. The absolute best way is to remove the bumper.....but that requires cutting the plastic rivets on the fender liners and then adding new plstic rivets. I have never removed the bumper to do iut becasue I dont want to mess up the paint removing the rivets. This is def. a SORE HAND mod.....LOL

[White Chocolate]

I think this is all a lie, I couldnt find the bolt underneath for the low beam side closet to the fender, I think someone should post a picture of this bad boy!!

[tman4024]

If nobody does, I will post one tonight after work (after 5)

[B.P.O.D]

awesome jeremy!

[Scottina06]

Here is a pic that shows the 05-07 headlight and the 08-09 headlight. You can see the mounting tabs are in the same spot and the lights mount the same.
http://i9.photobucket.com/albums/a74/scottina/scottina2/jeep08hids010.jpg

[B.P.O.D]

those reflectors are NICE!!!!!

[tman4024]

This picture is looking up in front of the wheel well
http://i571.photobucket.com/albums/ss160/tman4024/IMG_6522.jpg

[Frankie]

I tried without removing the bumper and I just came to the conclusion that it is so much easier if you just remove the bumper to begin with!

Takes maybe 15 minutes to remove it. Plus on the 05 there is a guide slot the inner lower bolt fits into and you have to remove the bumper first or break it...I chose to remove the bumper.

Escape

Then you need a rivet gun though to put it back on...Right?

[iJeep]

^^ Yes

[Frankie]

^^ Yes

And there lies the prob for most of us! ;)

[Scottina06]

rivet gun is $25 on justforjeeps.com and ebay. You can get the plastic rivets at McMastercarr

[NHWK05]

Then you need a rivet gun though to put it back on...Right?


NO, read my write up on how to remove the front bumper. You can use the same large push pin connectors that are used to hold the grille on and delete the rivets completly. I just "borrowed" 2 from the grille for now until i get more. So i only have 1 push pin on each side right now and its been fine. no need to buy the rivet gun or rivets if you dont need to.

[Scottina06]

I would never do that^^^^^

[NHWK05]

Why? I will order more push pins soon but they are more then adequate. I only have 1 on each side right now and its fine. does not move at all. When i put 2 on each side it will be just as strong as the rivets. its not going to flap in the wind. all its holding is the fender well liner. the guys that lift these things tear the fender well liners out. its not structural. and its an easy fix to the rivets.

[Scottina06]

those can be removed...fall out too easy. I have seen it. When i went to the 09 SRT bumper the body shop put one of those on mine and it was half way out in just a couple days. Plus....when I had the liners loose with no rivets...I drove it and the liners rubbed on the front tires. Needless to say it shredded the liners and I had to buy new ones.....not pretty at all....

[NHWK05]

Oh, ok.

Well mine have been fine with only 2 push pins, 1 on each side for 2 months now. I have just been too lazy to buy more. I have a bag of rivets too but no rivet gun as i am too cheap to buy one.

Will a standard large rivet gun work on the plastic rivets?

[Scottina06]

not sure bro...but my body shop said you need a plastic rivet specific setter/gun. $25 was a steal for a tool you will use many times on the WK.

[TimmyB]

Oh, ok.

Well mine have been fine with only 2 push pins, 1 on each side for 2 months now. I have just been too lazy to buy more. I have a bag of rivets too but no rivet gun as i am too cheap to buy one.

Will a standard large rivet gun work on the plastic rivets?


From what I have seen no, the rivet guns sold at local stores for use with metal rivets will not work, they are too small to accept the larger plastic posts on the plastic rivets. When I did my ground effects kit I went everywhere trying to buy a rivet gun locally and came up with nothing that will work. I ended up setting the rivets by hand, I used a close end wrench pushing the plastic rivet tight to the car then a set of pliers to pull the post outwards. It took alot of power but I got them to set very tight. But I do recommend buying the plastic rivet gun, I found it as cheap as 20 bucks plus shipping online.

http://i276.photobucket.com/albums/kk37/tdiglar78/DSC01955.jpg
Basically how I set the rivets on the car. I did all my ground effects this way and they are still 100% tight.:thumbsup:

http://i276.photobucket.com/albums/kk37/tdiglar78/DSC01956.jpg
Before installing them I softened the plastic by pushing down on the rivets a few times by hand.

[HEMIBeast]

Where can I find the rivet gun your talking about?

[TimmyB]

Where can I find the rivet gun your talking about?


Google "plastic rivet gun" or rivet setter. Hold on, ill try and find the place I found it cheap.

[TimmyB]

Found one for 19 bucks on here.

http://www.sjdiscounttools.com/paint---body-equipment---supplies-rivet-tools-and-supplies-plastic-riveters-and-rivets.html

Like I said, just google plastic rivet gun or plastic rivet setter then find the cheapest price w/shipping.

[HEMIBeast]

Thanks!

[tman4024]

Alright so I've got the 3 screws out for the drivers side headlight assembly, but how do I get the assembly out. It moves around a little but I can't move it far left to clear the small little channel it is in.

http://i571.photobucket.com/albums/ss160/tman4024/IMG_0045.jpg

Looking at the picture, where the light assembly mounting screw goes right below that is a metal piece and I need to move the assembly far enough left to get it out, but I can't. Anyone have any suggestions on how to get it out?

[Scottina06]

a lot of wiggle and a little force. Put some painters tape on your headlight to keep from scratching it

[White WK Swagga]

I took the headlights off to mount the LED eyebrows on the bottom. I must say so myself much easier to remove bumper. Not even whole bumper. Just remove the 2 screws by the tire and the bracket in the front. That was after about 1/2 hour of trying to squeeze a ratchet in there. LOL

[tman4024]

I got the screws out without much problem. It's getting the assembly out now that the screws are out that's the issue.

[White WK Swagga]

Yeah I scratched up my drivers side headlight on the fender but you can't see it unless you pup the hood and look.

[robpp]

get rivets, grill clips etc from here

https://www.clipsandfasteners.com/Chrysler_Jeep_Clips_Fasteners_Retainers_s/66.htm

for less than the stealer gets for one grill pin, you can buy 25.

same for the plastic pop rivets. I find the rivet gun to be invaluable.
everyone who likes to mod should have one. a great 25 investment. ( Frankie)

[HEMIBeast]

Nice find. Thanks

[justa4banger]

Do you need to remove the Headlamps to install HID bulbs or is this more for guys wanting angel eyes, mods to lights etc.....

thanks

[Scottina06]

no need to remove the lamps for an HID install

[TimmyB]

Just shove your fingers under the plastic and pull up on it hard. Should pop out.

[HEMIBeast]

What a dumb design.

[tman4024]

^^ Yeah, I think every car design engineer should be fired. Absolutely no thought is put into ease of replacement for parts.

[HEMIBeast]

Did you get them out?

[tman4024]

no :(

[HEMIBeast]

What part of Mass are you from?

[tman4024]

Marlborough

[HEMIBeast]

I can meet you tomorrow!

[tman4024]

I work til 5 during the week.

[HEMIBeast]

Sending pm.

[Scottina06]

Jeremy....it takes some wiggling, jiggling, shaking and force to get them out......

You may just wanna remove your bumper if your having problems

[SoCalMoparWK]

Hey what size are the rivets so I can buy the right ones???

[blackpepper]

99% sure that they're 1/4" plastic rivets.

[Scottina06]

http://jeepgarage.org/showthread.php?t=862&highlight=plastic+rivets

[SoCalMoparWK]

cool thanks guyz.