STi parking lights replacement

[Tekken]

I tried to replace my STi's parking lights to white LED lights. I followed the owner's manual, and I could not take the headlight assembly out. It is a little loose, but it doesn't come out at all. I gave up before breaking something...

Has anyone taken the headlight assembly out before??

Thanks.

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[ATX25RS]

yeah...it has a pop joint on the outter side of the car.

[jac04]

Be careful! The owner's manual forgets to tell you to remove the bolts from the inner headlight brackets before trying to pull the lights out. I learned this the hard way by breaking both inner brackets. Luckily, new ones were only $6 each. After removing the grille, find the white plastic inner brackets and remove the one bolt on each bracket. Then pull gently on the outer edge to release the two pop joints.

Also, be very careful of the paint on the bumper. The plastic headlight housing has plenty of sharp edges and the paint scrapes/chips easily. I ended up scraping a little paint off - D'Oh! To prevent this, stick a thin towel or cloth in the gap between the light and the bumper cover.

I hope this helps a little. -Jeff

[Tekken]

Thanks a lot Jeff.

I did noticed the white brackets, so I unscrewed them, but still I could not take those housing out.

Just how hard should I pull??

[jac04]

I needed to pull fairly hard on the outside of the light to get it to pop out the first time - after that they are a little easier since the pop joint seems to loosen up a little. Then pull the outside edge forward while pulling the light assembly away from the centerline of the car. The white inner brackets are also clipped into a stationary bracket, so you may need to pull the inner edge of the light forward to release it. They will eventually come out. Just don't get frustrated.
-Jeff

[Tekken]

Thanks Jeff,

I made it. But I pushed from behind the housing instead of pulling. I just open the tire housings and I could see the pop joints, so I pushed them with the metal bar. Light housing popped easily.

BUT, I ended up not replacing the parking lights because the ones I got were LED Super White bulbs, and they were not bright enough. Stock ones are much brighter...

Oh well, I learned a few things anyway.

[ATX25RS]

try polarg hyper white m3's they are very good bulbs or piaa plasma wedges....which can be had for a good price here....just avoid everything else and "browse by vendor" www.carxpressions.com

[Tekken]

Thank you ATX25RS,

I find those bulbs are very reasonable prices.

Another problem I had was the parking light housing.
I thought the parking light bulbs were orange, but they were not.

Even though I replace bulbs, they still look orange from the outside.

[ATX25RS]

Originally posted by Tekken
Thank you ATX25RS,

I find those bulbs are very reasonable prices.

Another problem I had was the parking light housing.
I thought the parking light bulbs were orange, but they were not.

Even though I replace bulbs, they still look orange from the outside.

oh yeah i forgot about that they have the orange case inside ..ooops..you have to do the healight mod to remove it....unless you want to try to cut it out and pop out the pieces..

[Cliff Ditchhanger]

Do the mod here if you want to loose the orange in your parking lights. It's not that hard. Go here for the instructions.

[Tekken]

Thank you Cliff!

I will try it.

[04REXSti]

hey tekken, when you finish the mod, can utake some pics and post em up here? id like to see if its worth trying.

[V1P3RSRTX]

I have a 04 2.5rs and one of my parking lights went out about a week ago. I just purchased my sube about 2 months ago so I'm still learning her little secrets. Are those two pop joints the little white and yellow stubs on the outside edge of the headlight area?

[Mulder]

Please don't bump ancient threads, this is nine years old.