Trick to repalcing headlight bulbs?

I can only like this once, but it deserves more. Mine came out on the first one. It wasn't totally lost but it took me a few to twist it around every which way to figure out how the hell it went back where it came from...................wherever that was. Seems like there would have been a better, more retained (hinged maybe) spring that would have been just as cheap, in mass.

 

Some tips I've learned:

1. Wear exam gloves to eliminate transferring oils from your skin to the bulb.
2. As previously mentioned, loosening the washer rez helps on the passenger side.
3. Once the rubber is removed, bring it inside and give it a good cleaning and then I give it a light coating of 303 or a similar protectant. This makes it a little easier to reinstall.
4. A inspection mirror is good to have handy in the event that the goofy spring retainer parts company from the housing.
5. Use a dielectric grease on either the bulb contacts or the connector which will make it easier to reconnect.
6. Warm weather makes this a fairly painless process. In cold weather all you can do is embrace the suck....

 

I had no issues with driver side, but passenger side it definitely helps to remove the bolts holding the washer fluid bottle.

 

YouTube

 

wear latex gloves...

 

There are only a few bolts holding the washer fluid reservoir in place so you could move that back a few inches to give yourself some room.

 

Those metal clips are a shitty design, and if one comes loose, you might as well just remove the washer fluid container and battery to get it back in there. For something that should be an easy task is really a pain in the ass.

 

Indeed it is , several great videos to get you through it. You shouldn’t have to remove anything to access the bulbs. Wear surgical gloves. Clean the rubber boot and use dielectric grease to lube around the bulb holder.

 

Never had a problem either my 2nd gen or current 3rd gen. My wifes Highlander is super tight, but I got her to come out in garage and she got relatively easily 'cuz her hands are smaller. That might be a solution for you. Find your patience and walk away and come back if you need. Lack of patience and too much force can be an expensive team.

All my Toyotas are (were) easier than that POS 2015 Ram I stupidly had. Changing headlights in that POS was an absolute nightmare. Did it once with my son's help...took it to the dealer next time. Dumbest engineering design I've ever seen in that truck. Just say no to Fiat Chrysler Puegot Stellantis whoever the heck buys in next.

hmmm ... thought I was over that, reckon not.

 

You want fun try 08 Prius. They used to remove the whole front bumper and a few other pieces. This job still pays well because nobody knows the tricks. Or maybe they aren’t telling, I ain’t telling either.