How many people does it take to change a light bulb?

newfoundglory

Well, if you have a Ford Ka at least 2.

Because to change the headlight bulb you will have to jack the car up, remove the front wheel, unscrew the plastic wheel arch lining and then use a torch in good daylight. Unless of course you prefer to remove the entire headlight assembly, but to do that you will first have to remove the bumper, grill and several bolts of course.

I'm stunned. In fact, I thought it was illegal to make it so difficult as you could be expected to change a bulb at the roadside? Can the police ask you to do this?

vikingaero

It's not beyond the realms of possibility with the standard tools in a car! OK it will be a faff and long winded but 2 people should be able to do it quickly in a team.

I thought this was a cryptic puzzle: How many MSEers does it take to change a headlight bulb... Answer: 147....

forgotmyname

Remove the headlight is easier, Mondeo's replace the bulb that way, 2 clips on the grill that pops off
pull 2 metal pins and out comes the light. No messing trying to work blind and position the bulb
and squeeze metal spring clips into place at the same time.

Buy a renault (i think) or was it a fiat? you need to remove the bumper. It was on 5th gear they
had the same issue. Same car but one was the newer shape and took them a lot lot longer to change
the bulb in the newer car.

Rossy.

My Renault Sport Clio 197 had a pants design in changing bulbs.

Bumper off etc. Unless you had the hands the size of a ompa lompa you could manage it. I tried once and cut my hands to shreds. Luckily i've got a friend and OH that works in Renault so they changed it for me on the cheap.

I don't think it's illegal for manufacturers but again it's a silly oversight in car design. Then again car engine bays are usually maxed out now. not like the old days when you could stand in them

spike7451

newfoundglory wrote: »

Well, if you have a Ford Ka at least 2.

Because to change the headlight bulb you will have to jack the car up, remove the front wheel, unscrew the plastic wheel arch lining and then use a torch in good daylight. Unless of course you prefer to remove the entire headlight assembly, but to do that you will first have to remove the bumper, grill and several bolts of course.

I'm stunned. In fact, I thought it was illegal to make it so difficult as you could be expected to change a bulb at the roadside? Can the police ask you to do this?

Renault Megan's are even worse! Fifth Gear got an AA machanic to try after complaints & it took him something like 47minutes..It's something to do with the way the front crumple zone works.

Exemplar

Talking about room under the bonnet I remember a mate of mine polling up in his Capri (it was about 2 years old) and it was the 1.3 (remember them....) and when he opened the bonnet there was enough room to have a barn dance!

newfoundglory

Ah, i found the Fifth Gear one..... very funny... sounds exactly like what I had to do this afternoon!

http://www.streetfire.net/video/338-fifth-gear-renault-megane-bulb-change_190469.htm

clever_username

I don't think it's strictly true that you need to jack the Ka up etc.

My sister has a Ford Ka. When she needs a headlight bulb changed she takes it to Halfords and they fit it for her.

I'm pretty sure they don't remove the headlight or dismantle the bumper to do it.

Keith

+1 I did ours without removing anything.

Getting the plastic cover back on the headlight was difficult but not impossible.

Strider590

It's either bad design.... ie the designers just don't care about the practicalities of building and maintaining the damn thing OR it's a ploy to get people going back to the dealerships to spend even more money.

flyingscotno1

I'm unsure on which. I can see why they would want to get people back into dealers but if I had a car like that which required so much effort to change a bulb I'd tell them where they could stick their 'repeat business'!

The Skoda I owned was fine for drivers side- but for passengers side, the cover would jam on the battery. The dealer showed me 'the trick' when I asked if it was necessary to remove the battery to change a bulb next time I was in!

Coincidentally changed my bulbs in the Fiat Bravo today. It had rubber covers, you just pulled off and bulbs were dead easy to get too- good working room although the screenwash did get in the way a bit but not bad. The clips could be a bit stiff and fiddly but know how the clip in you could do both in 2 or 3 mins.