Removing Headlight Assembly

[jgold121]

So to my absolute horror, a turn signal bulb has fallen inside my headlight assembly. I've had my 2009 Sierra SLT Z71 All-Terrain for only 6 days, and I found this after seeing the turn signal speed go into machine gun mode. I tried to put a spare bulb in there to keep moisture out, but that one also fell in.

 

I tried removing the assembly myself---removing 5 bolts from the headlight and the two screws for the upper trim panel from the wheel well, but I can't seem to shimmy the damn thing out. Is there a trick to this? Or am I better to just take it to the dealership? It seems that GM has made it all but impossible for the end-user to remove the assembly easily.

 

Any thoughts? Moral support?

 

-jG

[takevin]

It just needs to wiggle out , and your not taking it to the dealer why???? If its like the silverado, you have to remove the radiator cover on top, then the front grill and then you can pop out the headlight assembly if you need to remove the headlight assembly completely.

 

http://www.fullsizechevy.com/forums/genera...headlights.html

 

Heres a how to for the silverado, see if its the same.

[jrrod2004]

ah, the days of the GMT800...yeah, you are either gonna spend time on removing it or simply take it to the dealership and let them fiddle with it (so long as they dont have any idiot tearing it down).

[nbscanuck]

Can you get in with a magnet?

[jgold121]

the problem is---the rear of the headlight is SOOOO close to steel frame that you can barely fit a midget hand in between to change the bulbs. literally the worst possible design i've ever seen. i even thought about pulling the truck up on a 60 degree hill and just trying to beat it out of there. but to answer your question about the magnet---no, i don't think i have room to get one back there.

[wheelsthatgrip]

I would try getting out with either a vaccum pump or a compressor operated "sucker gun" Just fish the hose in there and get the end on the bulb and suck away. Might work!

 

Good Luck,

 

Keith

[Spurshot]

+1 for the dealer to do this. Yeah I've had my front grill and headlight assy out. But I'd recommend you head to the dealer, since your problem is not of your making and there may be a problem with the plug or light assy based on what you've said. Let them deal with it.

[jgold121]

well i just got back from the dealership. they took the bulb out, fixed the connector, fixed my alignment (toe was out from the lower strut spacer leveling kit i put on), and washed, waxed, and detailed it for me. all for the lovely price of "on the house". i love gmc. pics coming soon.

 

-jG