Is there any trick to installing the headlights? I've got the headlight bar mounted to the bumper cover, but the adjusting screws are half behind the bumper cover! I'm worried about scratching the paint putting the screws in. Seems like kind of a bad design

 

If the cover and h/light mtn. panel are off the car, then hook the adjusters in the bucket and hook the spring from the back.

 

Sounds like you mean with the headlight bulbs out? I've got the bulbs in the buckets already, I'll give it a shot with the bulbs out.

 

Actually I meant with the lights in the buckets. The spring is on the outside of the bucket so there wouldn't be much advantage to trying it with them out.

 

Hook the spring in the bucket with the adjusters hooked in the bucket and threaded in the plastic pieces a little. Then using a hook tool or I like needle nose vice grips pull the spring back and hook it in the header. It's a little tight but I believe I've done it that way.

 

I think it gets tighter over time as the bumper cover seems to "spread" a little filling in the gaps. You just have to take it easy with the screw driver but some small rub marks or tiny cracks may ensue...

 

Yeah..

I think I'm going to put down some masking tape because there's no way I'm going to get it in without a little rubbing..

 

We used to have and use headlight spring tools. With composite headlights there's no need for them anymore. The tool was basically a screwdriver with a hook cut in the side of it. You would hook the buckets in the adjusters then using the tool, hook the spring in the bucket. This way you didn't have to turn the adjusters out.

These cars were never friendly to replace headlights, with or without the bucket. I do remember that you put the outside, low beam in first then the inner. If you hook them the way I described from the front. Thinking back, the way the spring is designed, it may not be possible to hook it from the back.

 

Got it together last night. I had the adjusters snapped into place and then was trying to run the screws in, in a perfect world that may work fine but not for me.. I hooked the spring first with a needle nose, then pushed against the headlight and hooked the adjusting screws on the frame, then started the plastic adjuster base on the screws. I was able to turn the plastic bases on rather than turning the screws, then when I let the headlight go the spring pulled the plastic base into its hole. They're set close enough where I won't have to turn the screwdriver much to get them adjusted correctly. I'm sure thats not the right way, but like many things its the way that worked best for me

I can picture that tool you described, I know I've seen them before but just didn't know what it was. Would've worked a lot better than the needle nose to grab the springs!

 

Glad you got it figured out, hopefully with no blood shed or paint scratches. Needle nose Vice Grips work good, as long as they aren't wore out. Third gen are some of the worse to put the old style lights in. Tip for replacing bulbs, take the top two screws out of the bucket and pull it down enough to get the bulb out. It's a little tight still but little chance of scratching paint.

 

I will add a foot note to this, I used a piece of denim to keep from scratching the plastic surface. tape is good, but it may tear.

 

i used a small rag