Side repeater lights, any tricks to open them?

2005 4Td.

Been trying to remove the side repeater lights unit. Manual says to slide it towards the rear of the car, Haynes says to slide it towards the front of the car. Been trying to slide it (either way) but it seems to be hard. I tried using a coin as a leverage but still no dice.

Is there a trick to moving them? Should I be trying to push the glass only or the black frame around the glass? Is there something I can do to move it?

Mine just pulled out complete. Think there are tabs each end with hooks on.

You meant I may have to push both ends towards each other in order to pull it out?

Slide 1 way & prise out the other.
Then do same again

Hicap phill said:

Slide 1 way & prise out the other.
Then do same again

Click to expand...

I know that, but the point is I've been trying to slide it in order to prise it out, but it's stuck. Is there a trick to it?

For example: Use a thumb to push it? Turn your hand round, use your finger to try to pull it towards where it should slide to? Use WD4 first then slide it?

Short of a hammer and chisel, is there any suitable tools to use?

I used a chisel with a thin cloth on the end to give it a push. Fingers were not strong enough

Just tried mine. Finger pressure push forwards and rear end lifts away! Unless yours have been glued in!?!

Hicap phill said:

I used a chisel with a thin cloth on the end to give it a push. Fingers were not strong enough

Click to expand...

Okay, so I have to place a cloth at the end of the chisel and push it? I hope it don't rip the cloth open and the chisel scratch my Freelander. Will try this trick, thanks.

andyfreelandy said:

Just tried mine. Finger pressure push forwards and rear end lifts away! Unless yours have been glued in!?!

Click to expand...

Funny you should ask, that's what my son said. He asked if the factory used superglue to put it on. I told him, no, you're supposed to open it to change the bulbs.

Doesn't mean a po didn't break it and glue it I suppose. Must be somat wrong as it is usually a simple job.

andyfreelandy said:

Doesn't mean a po didn't break it and glue it I suppose. Must be somat wrong as it is usually a simple job.

Click to expand...

Yeah, it is supposed to be a simple job as you put it, just slide the housing and pull it off. But for some reasons, I find them a lot harder, they hardly moved at all with any tricks I could use, including using a coin to try to push it. Sometimes I'm starting to wonder if my kid is right, maybe the previous owner glued it back on using superglue, thinking that's how Land Rovers do it. After all, aren't the Series I, II, and III drivers famous for fixing their Land Rovers with sticky tape and a hammer?

Which way you slide it is very dependent on which way it was fitted. The springy retainer should be on the front and the fixed clip on the rear. So in this case, sliding it forward will allow the rear to become free. However if it's been put in the wrong way round, then it'll remove the the reverse direction.

Nodge68 said:

Which way you slide it is very dependent on which way it was fitted. The springy retainer should be on the front and the fixed clip on the rear. So in this case, sliding it forward will allow the rear to become free. However if it's been put in the wrong way round, then it'll remove the the reverse direction.

Click to expand...

I see your point. So it would have depends on the previous owner and whatever garage the previous owner took the car to, and it depends on them fitting it the wrong way round?
Okay, I'll try sliding it in both directions and see which way it will move. Thanks.

Why can’t you remove the wheel arch liner and view from behind, even change the bulb from behind !

freelance said:

Why can’t you remove the wheel arch liner and view from behind, even change the bulb from behind !

Click to expand...

You can. Although the screws are all but impossible to remove.