HID Bulb Change
 

I thought I had made a post yesterday, but checked online today to not find it here..so here is my post again..Now may be a good time to put in the LED parking light since you'' have access.

I swapped in 5000k bulbs yesterday and instructions are to turn your front wheel to full lock to the inside on the headlight you are going to work on. I found for myself that I couldnt get enough space to get my hands and arms in there. Im on stock ride height, but have wider front Volk rims at 9.5" and with 255 tires...I had to take of my front wheels, but I swapped in black McGard Splinedrives in anyways..

Here are the instructions:

1. If you want more work room, take off your wheel/tire.
2. Remove the 3 Screw Pop plugs on the inner fender, on the inside and at the top and fold back liner..
4. You'll see the grey plastic access cover to HID. Twist to turn take off.
5. The first thing you'll see is the silver plug with the silver mesh that is on the D2S bulb, twist off to take off and put aside.
6. Finally you can see the bulb held in place by a spring clip.
7. Push clip towards the bulb and push down to open on one side and repeat for the other side.
8. Lift clip upwards away and pull bulb out carefully and set aside to save if you want to go oem someday.
9. Installation is the reverse of everything and you may want to put in your LED parking bulbs at this time since you're working on it.

PICS:

Pics of 3 Pop Clips I took off:
http://i47.tinypic.com/kdsnmf.jpg

Room to work and liner pulled back:
http://i46.tinypic.com/33zbsc4.jpg

Bulb access with grey cover taken off:
http://i49.tinypic.com/2d1oldf.jpg

Twist off silver cap off bulb base:
http://i49.tinypic.com/sn2opk.jpg

Silver cap off and bulb revealed:
http://i47.tinypic.com/2qxthl3.jpg

Push one end of spring back and then towards the bulb to release, same for other side:
http://i45.tinypic.com/2qd1hxv.jpg

At this point, you can lift the spring upwards to release and pull the bulb out. Careful not to touch the glass and store and save for another day.
installation is the reverse, Good luck!

Nice post good pics.
do you have any before and after pics. Did you gain more light or just color. I would like to do the same thing I have a PG with tinted gray invisible bra on the lens and lost a lot of light.
would like more visibility at night.

5000k should be a little brighter w/o looking blue. 4300k is the stock temp.

before and after pics would be awesome :tup:

I didnt do any before and after pics as there are already pics of these that dont look much different that what I have now.. I just wanted a little bluer color that wont sacrifice viewing distance.

I do notice that when I get in my Subaru Legacy that where I added a HID kit to, the lighting is much brighter and wider and its using 35 w as well and not some overpowered voltage. Not sure why this is even though its a kit and lenses are oem in the Subaru where in Japan they use HID thru the same lens.

i am also swapping out bulbs and installling 5000k bulbs. is there a specific way the bulb goes in? do you have to turn the bulb to lock it or does it just push right in? i'm having trouble with this

There are three notches on the base of the new bulb. All you have to do is line it to the notches in the headlight housing. It's pretty self explanatory once you are there, don't worry. just make sure the biggest notch, middle notch, is facing 12 o clock and insert it directly in.

Here are some pics:

left headlight at 6000k and right headlight stock:
Attachment 12195

Before:
Attachment 12194

After:
Attachment 12196

^looks good. im also planning on changing my bulbs too. i want to make sure before i get some. so can you please tell me if these are the correct size and watt? thanks. D2S 35W DIGITAL brand HID bulbs

Yes, I got 35 W D2S. Those are the right ones. I got mine from ddm tuning, little cheaper but doesn't have the lifetime warranty like your link(1 year warranty only)

There are some 55w kits out there,..I know there were some for aftermarket kits,. but those are BRIGHT,...

I think the 5k lights are better than stock and may try out some 6ks....I just installed the HID kit from LEDS.com in my 2008 Titan with 5ks and they are 1000% better,,probably due to the higher ride height compared to the Z that the width or beam looks much better??

OK just a heads up I just changed my HID's to 6000K from V-Leds look great but the housing that the clip snaps into and holds the bulb in is plastic looks like metal and one side broke off so I got in there with 1 clip holding.
So easy does it or the housing is brittle and breaks easy. So with my luck I will have to buy a whole new headlamp assembly because of a broken housing.:roflpuke2:

Great DIY by abakja1 I borrowed his pic to so the clip and housing that broke off.

Has anybody successfully swapped out their headlights without removing the wheels? Any tips?

A few months ago I swapped out the side markers and it was a PITA with the wheel turn method.

its just not possible, and you'll see once you have actually removed the wheel why. BTW has anyone tried 8k yet????????????

4100k - 4300k is the ideal HID color temperature to produce the maximum amount of light, lumens, hence the reason while all OEM manufacturers equip their vehicles with these types of bulbs.

One minor detail was left out. That you take care as to not touch the light element or the glass it self with your fingers, the oils from your finger will shorten the life of the light.

Just replaced my bulbs. A few tips:

1. You do not need to remove the wheels. Lift the car with the jack that came with the car until the front tire slightly comes off the ground. Turn the wheel to the opposite side that you are working on (if you're working on the left side, turn the wheels to the right). You'll have plenty of room to get the job done.

2. After removing the three clips that the OP mentioned, the light grey cap that covers the bulb housing twists and then comes out easily. Do not pry it off.

3. Take some time looking at the metal clips that hold the bulb in place. Here's instructions on how to get the clips off:

Move the outside clip finger holder thingy (the one toward the exterior of the car body) toward the front of the car and then toward the ground. There's a notch where the clip will come loose and then release toward the back of the car. The clip needs to be removed from the clip housing completely.

4. Keep the big notch of the bulb at 12 o'clock when you put the new bulb in. Be patient and don't be forceful. Once you line up the notch in the bulb housing with the bulb notch, it will snap into place.