Rounded Screws when changing headlamps

[Bazdaa]

Evening All,

Bit of an issue that I hope someone can help with.

I need to change the bulb in my Discovery II 2004. However it seems that I have rounded the screws that hold the top of the headlamp in place, which means that I cannot change the bulb.

Does anyone know how I can remove these screws so I can replace the bulb. I did try hitting the straight edge screwdriver into the screw to see if I could remove the screw, but I just ended up damaging the plastic that holds the screw, which I will need to replace (anyone know how much this piece cost?) :(

Thanks In Advance.

Bazdaa

[grantc]

These headlamps are a pain in the neck!!:eek: I have just blown a bulb as well:( What other car in the world do you have to remove the radiator grille and the whole headlamp unit just to replace a bulb???!!!:fire::fire: I'm Ragin'!! :o Any way, to your problem. It depends how bad you have rounded them. First of all I would apply a liberal amount of easing fluid and allow it to soak down for a couple of days if you have the time and don't mind driving around with one headlamp! There is stuff you can get from good tool stores called "Screwgrab" or similar. It comes in a small plastic tube. I believe there are a few makes of the same stuff. It appears to be basically a fine grit in a suspension which helps the screwdriver to grip on to the screw. I have found it to work well with damaged heads. You could always try it with an impact driver (gently!) remembering that the screws go into thread inserts which can start to rotate (my problem , to be sorted next week:fire::fire::fire: ) (All the stuff which makes you love your Landrover........... ) Failing that, I think you will have to drill them and use a screw extractor tool and replace the screws (unless somebody else has any good ideas) . If you do that, make sure that you so not damage the thread insert and drill down central and square . I ALWAYS break a drill bit in the hole if I try this and have never found it to be that successful, but I can't think of anything else. Maybe someone else has some ideas? Let us know how you get on and what worked!!

[Bazdaa]

Cheers,

The car is booked in for MOT tomorrow, and obviously will fail. Thing is, do I cancel the MOT until next week or let Landrover do the work:eek: Dont fancy going all the way there to hear its hundreds of pounds just to remove the screws (both of them).

I did try the JML screw extractor with a drll, which just seems to have made the problem worse. I am starting t wonder, if I did not put enough pessure on it!!!

I am thinking that I would like to do this myself, so am wondering if there is an ultimate way of doing this (for a beginner like me).

[Bazdaa]

Well the good news is that I got up this morning and used the screw extractor to remove one of the screws (worked a dream). However I was unable to remove the other screw as I had damaged the plastic chasis around it :( Anyway decided to leave this in place until I had more time to deal with it, and removed the Torx screw which came out easily.

The bad news is fixed everything, put it all back together again and it worked. Then discovered that the rear cover for the headlamp bulb was put back on, so had to remove screws etc to replace cover, when fitting back, I heard "crack", which was the sound of the plastic when the torx screw goes cracking (Y*%$RFD+*F^) As luck would have it, an old dear was walking behind me at the time (can it get any worse).

Anyway 1 screw is not enough to hold this unit securly or to pass the MOT, so I would like to know if anyone knows any parts dealers that I can get a replacement unit from. Landrover have quoted £200 for the unit, which I almost went for (to end the nightmare), then asked how much to fit and was told £300 all in!!!!!! £100 to just change a headlamp!

I have seen a site online that will sell the part for £140 all in, but am looking at reliable trustworthy dealers that sell authentic landrover parts (not copies).

Your help is most appreciated.

Cheers

[grantc]

Try a scrapyard I have forund this website to be very good. anything I have bought from here has been acceptable. it just takes a bit of time(which you may not have!) http://www.partsgateway.co.uk/

[Bazdaa]

Well I finaly received the parts I need from http://www.landroverorphanage.com/ The question I have is, will I be able to align the dots on the headlamp adjusters, or will this require more work to align the headlamps (for the MOT).

If this is incorrect, then does anyone know any (simple) way of adjusting these headlights.

Also does anyone know how to remove the sidelamp bulb, as it looks moulded!

Thanks In Advance

Bazdaa

[grantc]

Hi, I'm afraid I do not understand what you mean by "align the dots on the headlamp adjusters". The headlamp adjusters are knurled wheels down a hole on top of the headlamp unit. If you are just using the same headlamp unit, they shouldn't have changed much. Failing that, If you take it to an MOT garage, They will align your headlamps for ,hopefully(!) , not tooo much money. Hope this is of help.

[grantc]

P.S. The sidelight is a push/pull fit

[Bazdaa]

Hi GrantC,

I have added pictures to assist with explaining my query.

If you have a look at the alignment picture, then you will see a dot on the headlamp alighment adjuster. I am wondering if I place these in the same position as the old one, whether that would work.

I hear what your saying about the MOT station adjusting it, however as I am going to Landrover for the MOT, however I am not expecting this for free, as thier labour charges always amaze me!! They wanted £100 just to change the headlamp accross (1/2 hours work in my book).

I will try the sidelamp on the old headlamp unit first, as I am nervous about breaking another headlamping costing me another bag of money!

Thanks

Bazdaa

[grantc]

Hi Bazdaa, I see what you mean about the dots. I don't know, but it is worth a try! As for your sidelights, if my memeory serves correctly, it is a half twist to unlock it, then you can just pull the bulb out.

[Bazdaa]

Certainly will give it a go.

Another question I have is, where is the continental switch on the headlight unit?

[grantc]

I'm not sure but I think that that is on the D3

[mrplebby]

These discoveries are nightmares, i am thinking about doing my own work on mine and my first job i take up is change a blown side light bulb on the front, so a lift bonnet and reach my hand in behind the light to grab the back of the bulb, hmmm to my amazement no bulb.

I search around and apparantly you have to remove to screws on the top of the headlight to remove the whole unit from the car to replace whats a 50p bulb.
My mot is due next month so though rather than give him an excuse to fail it i decide to have a go myself, "well it is just replacing a bulb how hard can this be" so i started to tackle my first real job on my discovery, couldnt move the screws and noticed one had the screw head a bit mangled so decide to use a extractor to tun it, the head of the screw snapped off so i am not gonna attempt the other screw with the same method until i have replacement screws. Then i will have to drill out the screw that has snapped.

Can i get these screws from a dealer, thanks for any help given.

Dave

[mrplebby]

These discoveries are nightmares, i am thinking about doing my own work on mine and my first job i take up is change a blown side light bulb on the front, so a lift bonnet and reach my hand in behind the light to grab the back of the bulb, hmmm to my amazement no bulb.

I search around and apparantly you have to remove to screws on the top of the headlight to remove the whole unit from the car to replace whats a 50p bulb.
My mot is due next month so though rather than give him an excuse to fail it i decide to have a go myself, "well it is just replacing a bulb how hard can this be" so i started to tackle my first real job on my discovery, couldnt move the screws and noticed one had the screw head a bit mangled so decide to use a extractor to tun it, the head of the screw snapped off so i am not gonna attempt the other screw with the same method until i have replacement screws. Then i will have to drill out the screw that has snapped.

Can i get these screws from a dealer, thanks for any help given.



Dave

I herd the front grill has to come off as well is this correct ??

Discovery 2003 td5

[grantc]

I herd the front grill has to come off as well is this correct ??

Discovery 2003 td5

Yup!Grille off, (3 scrivets across the top and lift out, 2 screws on top of headlights, and one behind grille behind a black plastic cover

[mrplebby]

Thanks for that mate, i will prob end up snapping those scrivet things now and not be able to get grill off.

[Bingy bong]

Hi GrantC,

I have added pictures to assist with explaining my query.

If you have a look at the alignment picture, then you will see a dot on the headlamp alighment adjuster. I am wondering if I place these in the same position as the old one, whether that would work.

I hear what your saying about the MOT station adjusting it, however as I am going to Landrover for the MOT, however I am not expecting this for free, as thier labour charges always amaze me!! They wanted £100 just to change the headlamp accross (1/2 hours work in my book).

I will try the sidelamp on the old headlamp unit first, as I am nervous about breaking another headlamping costing me another bag of money!

Thanks

Bazdaa

I upgraded my lights on the discovery to these and found them easy to fit and re-fit.
As been mentioned before the sidelight bulbs are a push fit, i cannot understand as to why you need to look at the marks on the screws for alignment. Once fitted, a posi screwdriver is inserted from the top down to these screws and then you can either screw them up or down with one screw and left - right with the other. The screw may need to be screwed in 10 times before the alignment is correct, so i wouldnt worry about them.
To get them properly aligned, i took them to an MOT station. The engineer did the job whilst i was sat in the motor, ( and i watched him to make sure he did the job correctly). Took 10 mins form going into the garage to see if he could do it to driving out again.
Cost - £5. Well worth it in my eyes. Plus i can drive around at night knowing that i am not dazzling anybody.

As the discovery is in for its MOT, why not ask the garage to reset the lights, or even a price at least, you may be surprised.

[grantc]

Hi GrantC,

I have added pictures to assist with explaining my query.

If you have a look at the alignment picture, then you will see a dot on the headlamp alighment adjuster. I am wondering if I place these in the same position as the old one, whether that would work.

I hear what your saying about the MOT station adjusting it, however as I am going to Landrover for the MOT, however I am not expecting this for free, as thier labour charges always amaze me!! They wanted £100 just to change the headlamp accross (1/2 hours work in my book).

I will try the sidelamp on the old headlamp unit first, as I am nervous about breaking another headlamping costing me another bag of money!

Thanks

Bazdaa
These marks are just for replacing the covers!!

[Tamandu]

:eek:

I would like to sincerely thank the past owner of my Disco 2 for rounding off all 3 headlamp screws on the pax side what a PITA!!!!!

My lights have goldfish in them, nut I managed to do drivers side, bulbs out dried with hair dryer, vaseline around bulb cover etc etc + some clear silicone on anywhere where seals remotely suspicious.
Guess what - now the headlamp wont come on...great intro to LR servcicng eh?

Rich

Pura Vida:cool: