Main beam bulbs

[keeperjim]

Hi all, new GTI owner here, one of my main beam bulbs went last night, bought a pair of new ones today, how do you go about getting in to change them, is there a mystical meathod required? I know I must sound like a complete amature but I'm more used to Landrovers and tractors! I spent about an hour trying to get the headlight off, took out all the nuts and bolt I could see but still couldn't get the unit free'd up, I'm sure there is a simple answer but I was starting to become a wee bit frustrated so thought I'd better leave well alone, gonna have another bash it in the morning, so any advice would be greatly appreciated!

[keeperjim]

Cancel my last, upon having a good rake about the forum I've found a diy thead on the bulb changing process! So that'll be tomorrows job!

[keeperjim]

Well, I changed the main beam bulbs today, what an absolute pain in the butt! How anyone would be expected to try and do that at the side of the road is beyond me! It's kinda sad that car manufacturers are making such jobs so awkward. Why make it so difficult, I'm an Ag mechanic and i'm used to doing some pretty awkward jobs but I was really starting to lose my patience with it today, the amount of stuff that is required to be moved just to change a blinking bulb! I though Landrover had made things awkward with the disco, 8 bolts, (2 of which require the grill to come off) just to change a bulb, but at least you can see what you're doing with the disco! lol

But hey-ho thats them done now

[benmkiv]

Most people take the bumper off on the gti's for this job :p

[keeperjim]

Yeah so I've been reading, wee bit much though, having to take the bumber off just to change a couple of bulbs, don't you think?

[Ashcroft]

Yeah so I've been reading, wee bit much though, having to take the bumber off just to change a couple of bulbs, don't you think?

My first time it took me ages to find all the bolts but since then I can whip the bumper off, change a bulb and back on in half hour.
It is very awkward first time tho, it's alot just for a bulb but least you know it's a sturdy build

[keeperjim]

Ah right, my usual deal is 3 of the 4 bolts come off no problem, then spend 4 hrs trying to get the last one out lol, might have a bash at the bumper off choice next time, was thinking of changing the Xenons for something 'whiter' they're kinda blue at the minute.

[Ashcroft]

There's a fair few people on here upgraded the lights so it's be worth looking through some threads and speaking to them in which is best.
I've not considered that yet as I'm quite happy with mine so far

As for the bumper off job I'm certain there's a few DIY guides if not I'll be happy to help you through it bud.

[keeperjim]

Yeah I was reading a couple of the threads on here, was only going to upgrade to a 6000k, most of my driving is on rural country lanes/roads, so wee bit brighter light would never go amiss.

Cheers for that, I'll give you a shout when I'm going to change them.

[Ashcroft]

No problem