RedStormV

Off topic, but now 4 days left of current MOT (ends Mon) now looks like the LHS hand brake mechanism on calliper has totally seized! Give me strength! :( Off I go searching the forum again then. BTW anyone know the correct way to remove number plate light covers? Both buggers are blown (hope it's coincidence :blink: )

Well, I can't see how anyone with 'normal' forearms, hands, fingers and 'non' double joints can replace the drivers side dipped beam HiD! Perhaps a double jointed mechanic who's been on a starvation diet for a month or two. I did remove power the steering reservoir cover, and tried removing the reservoir itself to access the back of the light unit but gave up when releasing the 2 X 10mm nuts did little to free it from its resting place. So, as I also wanted to find the source of the leak on the washer reservoir, I removed the bumper Fairly straight forward as above, 11 fixings and the headlight washer covers removed, a gentle tub and "Robert's your fathers brother". For anyone else reading this, the fixings are: 1 in each wheel arch where the bumper meets the wing (about 1/2 way up), these just twist and pull out. 1 at the bottom of each wheel arch (under back edge of skirt) these screw out. 3 connectors under the front of the valance, twist and pull out. 4 Torx heads across the top of the radiator area - strangely 2 twist and pull out, the other 2 are threaded. It's also possible (well on mine it was) to get a finger nail behind the headlight washer covers and ease the buggers out to remove the covers, rather than subjecting yourself to the risk of splash back as a friend operates them remotely! 3 X 10mm bolts and 2 locating dowels to each headlight unit and the job of replacing any of the bulbs is a doddle! The only problem I had was removing the centre one of the 10mm bolts (top one) holding the light units in on both units. The spring nut, captive nut whatever it's called, had corroded badly, so I ended up using a junior hacksaw to remove the bolts and replaced them with new nut, bolt & washer combinations. Even though only 1 bulb had blown, because I'd ordered 6000K bulbs rather than the standard 4300K ones, I replaced both. I'm glad I did as there was a very noticeable difference between the two. The 6000K unit is brighter and whiter, making the 4300K look more like a halogen bulb, with an orangey hue. I didn't find it necessarily needed either wheel removing, but it was easier to have the front of the car jacked up, or at the very least, on it's highest (6mph max) suspension setting. As to the leak on the washer reservoir, I'm baffled as to it's origin, not where it is, but how it got there! Where the reservoir is moulded to create a handy recess to keep the pumps, there was a small indentation and hole on the corner of the moulding, but not on any edge where 'outside' objects could have caused it. Only a small hole, possibly 1-2mm at most, but a constant trickle of fluid came out of it when the res was topped up Friend of mine suggested it may have warn through with vibration of the pump both being operated and from the constant vibrations through the car whilst in motion. I can't see it myself, no signs of wear or friction between the 2 plastic surfaces. Assisted the fluid level in dropping by giving the screen a damn good wash, then dried out the hole and surrounding area. A small amount of good silicone sealer was forced into the hole and smoothed off around it, the pump replaced and then given a squirt of sealer to make sure it was held firmly in position. No, no leak! yippeeeee! :blink: I think I took a photo on my phone, will upload it later

C&C have moved premises, just round the corner, but ray's number is still the same. 01274 630333

John, Still need to resolve leaky washer reservoir though, am I right in thinking bumper removal still required for that? Bulbs ordered from previously quoted site - guy has a high feedback count so I trust all will be well.

Cheers Yep forgot to mention I'd read the bit about the washers - but thanks anyway Great tips on bumper removal though - That'll be twice in a week where my £5 set of security bits has come in mighty handy :blink:

Looks like I've finally lost my virginity :P to this forum anyway I know this an old thread but it seems to be heading in the direction I need, just doesn't fill all the gaps. I have an '03 C5 estate, think the model is the Exclusive? which allegedly has all the bells and whistles, electric mirrors, leather seats etc etc. Typically, a week before the MOT, the drivers side (UK) dipped beam has turned up its toes! Yes, it's the HiD (High intensity Discharge)) one :blink: Read on here that Halfords would change it for £5 "bargain" I thought, and got the wife to ask while she was nearby one the other day. Yes we do fit them etc etc... turns out that they don't stock the HiD bulbs, but had it been a Halogen, no problem they'd have sold her a bulb and fitted it for less than £12 :( I also have the what seems like a common problem of the washer reservoir deciding it's not a camel any more, proceeding to leak it's contents all over till there's maybe 1/2 a litre left in. So I reckon that I'm going to have to dismantle the front of the car (inner wheel arch and maybe bumper?) to get at the offending items. So, A) Am I right in thinking that I need to remove the inner wheel arch and / or bumper to get to them? If so, how / where are the fixings please? B) Thanks for the tip on not getting 8000K bulbs (whoever you are, can't remember your uid). Think I'll stick with 4300 or 6000K. Incidentally, would your average MOT station guy know they were 8000K and illegal? C) Followed the link to the pictorial step by step on the Aussie site, seem like this refers to halogen units, not HiD. Anyone have any tips on removal of this unit or at least changing the bulb. Do I need rubber gloves, wellies and a lightning rod? I believe the ballast is like a V. large capacitor and therefore stores lots of lovely volts, like the back of an old CRT (Cathode Ray Tube) TV, just ready to throw mw into the middle of next week if I touch the wrong bit :o Do I need to discharge it somehow first, or will it discharge over time (hours? days?) since the last time lights were on? I know not to touch the bulb with fingers etc as it drastically reduces its useful life (have an HiD dive torch, made that mistake before!) Any handy hints etc will be gratefully received. I'm off to order some 6000K's from ebay I reckon as they seem cheapest so far at £25 + P&P the pair. http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/D2R-XENON-HID-BULBS-...:1|293:1|294:50 If link doesn't work look for Car Mod Shop on e-bay, user is CMS_SALES Anyone tell me whether they're D2S or D2R? Sir=te seems to suggest D2R What's the difference? :( Cheers, Graeme.