4th gen headlight removal sucks A##

[dbebesi]

ok so there's a hole in my driver's headlight, and i keep blowin bulbs because of it. so i buy those goofy lookin projector headlights for the 4th gens. well first off, you have to take the bumper cover off to get the capsule itself out, but since the projector lights are made as one piece (capsule and bracket), you have to take the rebar off as well. damit i'm so pissed off about it. also, from the looks of it (someone please tell me i am mistaken) on the projector lights, you have to completely remove them and disasemble them to change a bulb. so every freaking time i blow a mf'ing bulb, i'll have to take my bumper off. what a worthless f'in design. i love my lude but it's just ridiculas to design a headlight that way. i hate to say this, but i dismantle cars for a living, and i've never seen something that retarding, involving a headlight. i hope someone at honda got fired.

[Prelewd]

You my friend, did it all wrong. There are only 6-8 bolts to take off the entire bumper assembly.

http://www.absoluteprelude.com/4thgenjdmheadlights.html

This link helped me out while changing my headlights and I kicked myself for thinking those stupid japs didn't know how to design a car right. Once again, I was proved wrong by Honda's designers.

This bolt was a little hard to find:


Basically, it's a little farther back than you'd expect it to be. Those are the two bolts you are probably looking for. Keep that in mind. Use the wiper fluid resevoir as a reference as to where the nut is for both of them. The top of the picture is the front of the car.

The only thing I had a major problem with was that my headlight adjustor bolt (the one with the ball-like pivoting head) was stripped and a BITCH to get back in. DO NOT strip that bolt.

To remove the bulb, look in your manual. All you have to do is unhook the connector, and rotate a revolving plastic lock that holds the bulb assembly in place. VERY easy to remove as long as they aren't stuck. Just look down in your engine bay at the back of your headlight assembly and you'll see what I mean. Also, when replacing bulbs, be careful not to touch the glass. The bulbs heat up considerably, and the oils on your hands will cause them to explode. (EDIT: i read your post again, and it seems like you know this, but i'll leave it up for anyone else that might not.)

I got my replacement headlight from a guy that was parting out his wrecked lude. Paid 40 dollars for it and it was nicer than the ones I already had. What a deal!

If you have anymore questions, let me know.

(This one's for the FAQ aces.)

[dbebesi]

very nice link. i wish i had that earlier... heh. oh well, i'll never forget how to do it. anyhow, i really appreciate your post.

one other thing i didn't clairify earlier. the projector lights i bought, are completely enclosed. there is a housing around the bulbs, and it doesn't seem to be removable without actually taking it back off, to remove the housing. it's not a good design. so buyer's beware.... if you are going to buy projector's for a 4th gen, and you are going to pay someone else to install the headlights, you will be paying them everytime a bulb goes bad.