[image: View Post]VIPERon, on Aug 29 2008, 06:19 AM, said:
[image: View Post]checksix, on Aug 29 2008, 08:49 AM, said:
Howto article in the FAQ section:
http://www.vfrdiscus...;showarticle=19
My advice would be to practice on the (easy to access) hi beam socket until you figure out how the connector works, because access to the low beam socket is very limited and you need to work mostly by feel. Be prepared for scraped knuckles and cursing.
Ditto on practicing with the high beams...both my low beams failed within a week of each other a few weeks ago. If you have small hands like I do, you can replace the low beams without removing the front cowl; if not you're better off removing it.
The key is removing the connectors...squeezing at the sides...without ripping the rubber boot, retention clip and bulb from the housing, hence practicing with the high beams.
If the low beam connectors won't release easy, you'll have to find some way to brace the rubber boot so that you can get some leverage to separate the connector from the bulb, because the retention clip acts like a spring...you'll feel it when you pull on the connectors.
Assuming the connectors release without too much difficulty, your next step is to slide the boot over the rear (3-prongs) of the bulb which will expose the bulb and the retention clip (you'll notice that it looks like a bent out of shape paper clip).
Looking to the left, you'll see a phillips screw...don't remove this screw and try to avoid loosening it if at all possible...it acts as the 'hinge' of the retention clip which should swing open to the left like a door. To 'open' it, look to the right and you'll see how it's clipped to the head light housing...gently press on it a little to release and it should swing open.
When you're ready to reinstall, I suggest you push the 3 tabs on the bulb forward towards the bulb so that the bulb will stay seated in the housing a little better while you 'close' the retention clip. Once you ease the rubber boot back on you should put some dieletric grease on the bulb prongs and the connectors, and hope the connectors snap back into place without having to put too much pressure on the boot and retention clip...otherwise you risk pushing the entire contraption too far foward into the head light housing. If the retention clip happens to come completely off that screw, you're pretty much starting over again on the reinstall....that's when your patience and profanity will be taxed...ask me how I know :pissed:
I hope this helps...good luck.
Ron
Excellent! THanks Ron. Hey, do you know how to get the push-pin (or 'trim-clip' in the manual) from that top-left cowling out without breaking? I can see clearly how it clips in? Do I just squeeze the back of the pin with needlenose pliers? Or is there something to the (seeming) phillips slot in the plastic head of the pin that I need to twist?