Marc's X7, C3 Aircross, Rants, Raves & Everything Else

[myglaren]

Elis - Yes, I would never of noticed had it not deposited it right on the driveway! Not a big job as they should be able to remove the support from the wishbone and knock it out and slip another one in whilst in situ.

[GiveMeABreak]

Indeed Steve - and as you can see as per my note to Mike, the dreaded file info has reappeared again under your graphic ^

[myglaren]

Yep, saw that Marc. It doesn't reall bother me much but shows where I nicked it from.

Hope the rebushing goes smoothly and inexpensively.

[GiveMeABreak]

Well utterly defeated today and clean out of curse words.

The dipped beam bulb went today on the C3 and I have given up on it - what a bitch it is to change. I only managed the rear casing and clip, and removal of the bulb connector.

As for the bloody stupid retaining clip - that is a no way Jose job.

5 LED torches, an LED mirror, 4 pairs of latex gloves, long nosed pliers, multiple sized screwdrivers and 3 bleeding knuckles later I nearly put a bloody hammer through the headlamp in disgust at being defeated.

So due to the limited access, I tried to remove the expansion tank clip - and in my tantrum hadn't fully released the cap first, so as the clip came off, a shed load of coolant decided to spray inside the headlamp housing. Cleaned it up and swore a few more times for good measure and then the heavens opened up and pi**ed it down. Game over.

It's going to the garage Monday as I really do not have the patience any more for these utterly stupid designs, where the garage want to charge you £100 to replace the bloody thing. They're welcome to it.

[white exec]

"...where the garage want to charge you £100 to replace the bloody thing"

You could try H*lf*rds.
What does their advert say about headlight bulbs?
If you discover a faulty car light or one not working as it should be, we offer an in-store bulb fitting service. Our experts will identify the bulb you need and fit it within minutes, getting you back on the road in no time at all!
We offer ultra-competitive rates which are much more affordable than dealerships: from £8/€9 we can fit individual headlight bulbs, and from £5/€6 install indicator, tail and brake lights.
There's no need to book. Simply pop into your local Halfords and we'll do the rest!
Bulb fitting is only available on select vehicles - please get in touch with your local Halfords for more information.
Please be aware that all fittings are subject to pre-inspection in-store.

[Paul-R]

Halfords do reserve the right to decline to fit a bulb I believe.

[GiveMeABreak]

And I suspect the C3 will be on the list of vehicles not covered Chris. I have now calmed down a bit and had a squiz over on C3 owners where this is a swine of a job as there is no room to get your hand in, yet alone manipulate the clip blindly.

I may have another go tomorrow after taking a few chill pills, but I won't be taking it to Halfrauds that's for sure. Cheers for the reminder though Chris. 'I am now in the I will not be beaten by a clip frame of mind'.

[GiveMeABreak]

Halfords do reserve the right to decline to fit a bulb I believe.

I reckon the C3 will be right up there on the list. It's law that you have to be able to change a bulb without any special tools I believe - and have to carry spare bulbs - so pretty flipping pointless if they are impossible to change without a PSA Doctorate in 'How to Make Simple Automotive Jobs Harder'.

[bobins]

It's at times like these you could do with a well trained small child that can fit into the gap where the lamp fits

[white exec]

That was my thought, too . . . a well-trained child. Get them to clean out the exhaust too, while you're at it.
Second thought would be a roadside call-out, just having to have a new bulb handy, of course.

[EDC5]

So this bulb is more difficult than changing the DRL on the X7?

[GiveMeABreak]

Hell yes!

I invented a highly sophisticated state of the art tool for the DRL job

[RichardW]

Easier just to pop the bumper off, and then take the headlight out? Depends on whether the bolt will come out at the end under the wing I suppose...

[Zelandeth]

Yep...I wound up breaking a clip off the headlight housing on the 107 so the whole headlight could be removed by undoing two bolts in about 30 seconds. Changing the bulb was no harder than any other H4.

Trying to do it in situ on the driver's side was fine. Passenger side was an utter pig due to the battery and A/C pipework. Real issue was the fact the headlights (especially if you had the Morette ones fitted) were shoved right back against the suspension turrets, so getting your hand into them was near impossible. At least if you have hands as big as mine anyway.

I do think it should be law that manufacturers must make it possible for someone with no particular engineering background to change a bulb without needing half a garage worth of fuel.

Suzuki, looking at you. Cappuccino you had to remove the driver's side front wheel, wheel arch liner, bumper, then you could access the clip holding the headlight in...find it too was seized and spend half an hour wrestling the headlight out...to discover the relay was actually at fault and the bulb was fine. I think I invented several new curse words that afternoon.

[myglaren]

My local Halfords do do C3 headlights and I know what a pain it is having attempted and failed miserably with mu daughter's.

Hers only lasts a few weeks too.