Headlight change - UK to Continental

Hello everyone.
I've just moved from the UK to Germany and i have to change my front headlights from the UK style to continental style as i've gone from driving on the left hand side of the road in the UK to the right in mainland Europe.

I've purchased the continental headlight asembly and had a quick look at replacing them and seem there is 2 bolts holding them in at the top.
Question is...
Would anyone be able to tell me the correct proceedure for replacement.
Do i need to remove the bumper or anything else to get the headlight housing out?

Hope someone can offer some help.

Mike

if you are still on a UK plate can you not get away with the cheap lens covers? that the garages and onboard ferries sell

yes the bumper does need to come off, there are screws behind it

Having read this thread I am going through a similar exercise of replacing my headlights, does anybody know how to remove the bumper ?? all tips appreciated.

Regards

I see this is a little outdated, but there hasn't yet been a comprehensive answer.....

Obviously the RAVE cd is the way to go for help with removing the bumper - and I look forward to getting my knuckles bruised very soon

Does anyone have a website link, or recommendation, for a 'cheaper priced' source for continental headlights? I'm looking to register in France before the end of march so I ought to start looking for them now for my Freelander 1 TD4.

If anyone on here has a set they want to sell please let me know?

Taking the bumper off is the correct way to remove the headlight, but it can be done without if you're prepared to bend the bumper a bit.

Behind the headlight, remove the horn.


DSC01077 kMMCkLN

Using a socket setup similar size to this, undo the bolt at the bottom of the headlight. You have to go through a hole in the metal work to get to it. Think it's 10mm from memory. You don't need to remove it fully.


DSC01075 hwJPBY3

The nut end of the socket is pointing up in the following pic.


DSC01072 kmxmgbk

Loosen off the top bolts holding the top of the bumper on, and undo the bolts holding the top of the headlamp.


DSC01070 wgBNsBI

Now pull the bumper away at the point adjacent to the headlight, at the top. This should allow you to unhook the bottom bolt on the headlight, from the metal work, as you pull the headlight out away from the car. Pull the headlight at the part which is closest to the front middle of the car. When it comes out, the other end will unhook from the wing.

This is where the headlamp bottom nut grips the metalwork to keep the headlamp in place.


DSC01069 ZHPH1GN

This is the nut on the bottom of the headlamp:


DSC01071 G4Lzt2W

When putting the replacement headlight back, put the bottom nut on a few turns first. Once fitted, spin on with a long finger, and tighten with the above socket. Once the headlight is refitted, wing end first, then slide the rest past the bent bumper. Much easier than trying to put the nut in place, with the headlight in place, like I had to when mine fell off causing the headlight to be loose. Hence how I found out how to do the above. Worked on my Freelander, with the grey bumper as above. Not sure about others. Bumper jumped back in place afterwards after being bent out a little.

Great post Hippo!

.....just looking for a continental headlight supplier now

Harold 4x4 said:

Great post Hippo!

.....just looking for a continental headlight supplier now

Click to expand...

Hi, I am in a similar situation and wondered if you managed to find a supplier. I am also in France in the Charente and need a supplier of the headlight units for continental driving. If you could give me any info/prices etc that would be great. My vehicle is a TD4 sport 2006 mk1.

Thanks

although these are the wrong headlights for your vehicle, they may be able to help:

Set LAND ROVER Freelander LHD euro headlamps headlights on eBay (end time 24-Mar-11 13:49:53 GMT)

Just bought an 'as new' second hand set (200 euro) from here:

GB-LaCheze - welcome

He can get them new for 340 euros but that's not much cheaper than buying a LHD set direct from the UK.

Apparently there are two types available for a TD4 year 2001: orange lens or, clear lens indicators, with a slight difference in fitting (though both types should fit). Even though I have suppled my vin number to various sources none of them are sure of the exact part for my car.

When they arrive and I've fitted them I'll post an update.

The only thing I'm not clear on is adjusting them correctly, but I'm sure it wil be more apparent when I see them.

OK, this was a bitch of a job.

Despite the great pics from Hippo it's a little difficult to imagine where the 10mm socket should go having removed the horns.... In addition there is almost no space to turn a socket even if you did have some luck.

Taking off the bumper (as per workshop manual insts) is a ****e job: If it's an old car like mine (2001) all the screws are likely to be rusted (obviously ) and the last two bolts accessible through the inner wing panel are real ****ers if the clip has rusted - like mine.

In desperation, having managed to release the bumper one one side, but being stymied with a broken part on the other, I simply bent the bumper below the 'awkward' 10mm nut and undid it with an open-ended 10mm.

When replacing the headlights use 10mm wingnuts with a spring washer (you can git 'er done with a long screwdriver) - saves all the faffing around, and no need to remove the bumper next time.

Bon courage!