Removing Headlights

Eriedor · 14 Sep 2007 at 17:54

Earlier today I tried to take off the headlights on my Renault Clio 98-01.

However it proved harder than I expected. I took off all visible star screws and the headlight became looser but there seems to still be an attachment at the bottom of the headlight which I can't get at. I tried pulling of the thin panel that hides it but to no avail.

Anyone have any experience with this? I expected it to be so straight forward!

Phil W · 14 Sep 2007 at 17:56

You'll probably have to take the front bumper off to get them out. Don't panic, its hardly a big job.

Why do you want to remove them out of interest?

Eriedor · 14 Sep 2007 at 18:15

Theres algae growing on the inside of the case. Makes the front of the car look dirty despite being clean, so want to take em apart and clean them out.

I tried to take off the body panel that is a strip just below the lights stretching from one side to the other, but it wouldn't come.

Firestar_3x · 14 Sep 2007 at 18:22

Sure they come apart, some lights are sealed units.

Phil W · 14 Sep 2007 at 18:25

They will probably come apart as do most headlights, drop face bown in hot water for 5-10mins and the glass will just pop off

Peter Diffey · 14 Sep 2007 at 20:27

I have the same car as you, im pretty sure that the peice ** talking about actually needs to be snapped off in order to remove the headlight, i remember reading this in the haynes manual for it that ive got.

Eriedor · 14 Sep 2007 at 21:17

Peter any chance you could confirm that, I was boardering on buying the haynes manual for it.

Would be great help if you could!

/Firestar, pretty sure they come apart can see the clips where they are attached.

Peter Diffey · 14 Sep 2007 at 23:13

Hello, just got the manual on my lap now.
It says you must use a pair of cutters to cut the bracket which holds the lower part of the light to the wing.
Its got an illistration but it should be simple enough, the bracket youve got to cut is like an L shape, by the looks of it u cut it at the point close to the front of the light unit, then break it off.

Sounds pretty extreme, its what put me off doing exactly what your doing :-P

Eriedor · 14 Sep 2007 at 23:15

jeez can't believe that!! I'll have another look tomorrow.

Peter Diffey · 15 Sep 2007 at 00:12

Yeh, its pretty retarded.
I was going to buy a second hand headlight off ebay because i was too lazy to bother cleaning the green stuff out, after reading the manual i decided not too, simply because i cant understand how a second hand headlight would be useable once its removed, surely that clip is vital?