C7 headlight bulb change...through the wheel well or does bumper have to come off?
 

Question about changing the headlight bulb. I read a thread about how you have to take the whole front end apart, but then I also found this video which shows them going through the wheel well like I have to on my Traverse. Conflicting info makes me unsure which is correct, any one do this through the wheel well?

https://www.carcarekiosk.com/video/2...ghts/headlight

I believe you need to remove the front fascia to change the WHOLE ASSEMBLY not simply the bulb

Their videos leave a lot out especially with battery replacement on the C7. I know on the C6 you could go in through the fenderwell to change the bulb without removing the front bumper :flag:

That is crazy for just change a bulb.

Good to know that the bulbs are supposed to last that long. Wouldn't want to have to change them out too often.

Unless you own an Audi Q7. The head light led bar went out at 5 1/2 years and 55,000 miles at a cost of $1200

Any update on this? I need to change out my bulb on my Z51 '14. Video states you need to take off the wheel to get full access to the HID.

The factory service manual says that the front bumper cover needs to be removed, then the headlamp unit is removed (3 screws and a connector), then you can access the back of the headlamp unit to replace the HID bulb. (In the picture below, the large round cap unscrews, which then allows access to the HID bulb.)

Posting these so you can see what you need to access.


https://cimg6.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.cor...2afdc011c.jpeg
https://cimg4.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.cor...58443862a.jpeg
https://cimg5.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.cor...7373ee398.jpeg

The C7 requires you to remove the entire front bumper. You then remove the light pod from the mount. You now have access to the HID and the ballast for it. Do the change (I went from the OEM to 6K bulbs), remount the pod. Reinstall the front bumper and you're done. There are NO access ports, panels, wheel entrances or anything else.

The video sounds like the C6 bulb replacement.

Elmer

Thanks for the info guys!

Man you guys are wrong big-time. I just took off the edge of my C7 wheel cover. You can clearly see the access port and the headlight bulb cover. All I have to do is remove the wheel to gain full access to the bulb, just like the first video stated.
https://cimg2.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.cor...3b916724ef.jpg
https://cimg1.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.cor...8e98310e84.jpg

https://www.corvetteforum.com/forums...p-removal.html


3rd picture down

If this is a way to get at the bulbs, great. I hate taking off the nose as shown in the Helms manuals.

Headlight
 

2 things in that video didn't make sense.

First, step 1-open the hood. Why? You are going in through the wheel well.

Second, Step 2- Turn wheel inward and remove torx screws and scrivet and pull wheel well away. Then to gain access to bulb remove tire. Why not remove tire first and then remove torx screws and scrivet and pull wheel well out.

That being said I still appreciate the video because now I know the front end of the vehicle does not have to come off to change a bulb.

:lurk:

it appears one of my headlights is out now....does this mean i need to take to the dealership? I bought an extended warranty for just this thing....

My extended warranty did not cover it as it was the bulb that was out, where bulbs are not covered. I agree in general that bulbs should not be covered however in this case I disagree, as these bulbs by design aren't expected to burn out. The ballast should be covered under warranty should that be the cause. The problem at hand is they have to dismantle the nose in order to troubleshoot it.

Check your fuses first (not likely but ya never know).

I think this was settled as "Nose comes off" to change the bulb.


Elmer