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headlights pita to piss people off?

3567 Views 10 Replies 10 Participants Last post by  Keith Wagner
Ok why is it Nissan is the only one who makes it a pita to replace a headlight? is it complicated? no, but its a pain, and then if you freaking drop it while putting it in forget about it, just my little rant from changint a headlight a week ago, did one in the work van today and a piece of cake.
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I notice that too. Its a headache to replace them. The sentra is much better then versa, but still fustrating. With the Versa, you cant see a thing your doing. U just have to feel around for the headlight, and the bracket, and all that good stuff. I agree its a pain in the ass.
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Ok why is it Nissan is the only one who makes it a pita to replace a headlight? is it complicated? no, but its a pain, and then if you freaking drop it while putting it in forget about it, just my little rant from changint a headlight a week ago, did one in the work van today and a piece of cake.
Yea I agree, I put in Phillips Xtreme bulbs in mine and I have big hands so it was such a pain for me trying to get in there. It made me want to rip out the headlights :biggrinjester:
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Aww man.... this doesn't sound promising at all... I have yet to change my bulbs from the stock ones....
Aww man.... this doesn't sound promising at all... I have yet to change my bulbs from the stock ones....
its not that bad, just a pita, just make sure you have a light when trying to disconnect the wire that holds it in place, i could never seem to get it without seeing it
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I think that one of the things that makes it a pita to replace bulb is the little clip holding the bulb in place. I replaced mine with HIDs and man was is a pita. Not looking forward to when ever I decide to change headlights completely =(
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I wish it were easier to just remove the headlight. If only we could access the bolts underneath. I know when I've done headlights in the past its always been a couple bolts on top and the whole assembly comes right out, then you can take your time with it. I dread the day I'm gonna have to change bulbs.
An additional PITA is when you discover in -15C temperatures that the retaining clip on one of the headlight assemblies on your 2008 Versa is broken.

Some sources say that these replacement clips aren't sold separately, but come only with an entire headlight assembly. Can that be true?
Ok why is it Nissan is the only one who makes it a pita to replace a headlight?
I read on some VW forums (Passat?) that it requires to drop a front bumper in order to replace one of the headlights, and shops estimate about 3..4 hrs for the labor.
It is worse than that. I just wrote a stunning indictment of a system that makes it essentially impossible for an end user to disengage the stupid headlamp retaining clamp on the passenger side of a 2011 Nissan Versa. As a normal sized American fella, (6 foot, 200 pounds) I am unable to really get a hand even in place to change the bulb. . (either a left hand from behind the bulb on the passenger side, or via my right hand from the engine compartment with my forearm on the alternator. I have spent 3 hours this afternoon attempting to get one side of the clip to disengage. . and this is my second attempt. NO LUCK. . The clip seems to be stuck on something, and even with an inspection mirror, I am unable to clearly see what it impeding the darn thing. .

I understand this is a economy class car, but making such a routine procedure next to impossible for an end user is the most obtuse thing Nissan could have done. I will never own, nor recommend to anyone to purchase a Nissan for this reason.
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I have an 09, and have changed the headlights a few times. Usually takes me no more than 30 min. for both sides.

You squeeze the clip and it swings out of the way.
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