How to Replace a Headlight Assembly

Your headlight assemblies (or lenses) can wear over time or become damaged. If you’re dealing with oxidation, you may want to try restoring your headlights. If they’re too far gone, or if you’ve encountered a broken lens or lenses, below are instructions on how to replace your headlight assemblies.

Additional Resources

Tools & Materials

Safety Glasses
Gloves
Tool Set
Headlight Assembly

Instructions

It’s not uncommon for a vehicle to have panels or parts that need to be removed in order to change headlight assemblies. These procedures are usually simple, but a little time-consuming. If you’re not completely comfortable doing the job yourself, we’d be happy to recommend a professional technician.
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Removing the old headlight assembly from the vehicle
Step 1: Remove the old headlight assembly
Locate the two bolts on the top of the assembly and remove them with your wrench or socket. Set them some place safe. Now you should be able to gently slide the entire assembly out enough to release the headlamp bracket tabs from their slots on either side.

Do It Right: Place your bolts somewhere safe, so that you don’t lose them. We recommend a magnetic bowl.

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sliding the assembly out and disconnecting the electrical connectors
Step 2: Disconnect the assembly
Slide the headlight assembly out and disconnect the electrical connectors from the headlamp and parking light sockets.
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turning the headlight retaining ring count-clockwise and removing it and both bult sockets
Turn the headlamp retainer ring counter-clockwise to remove it from the headlamp. Remove both bulb sockets from the headlamp assembly.
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disconnecting the electrical connectors and the parking light sockets
Step 3: Disconnect electrical
Disconnect the electrical connectors from the headlamp and the parking light sockets. Once the bulb headlights are free from the application, on our vehicle, we’ll change out the headlamp wiring harness.
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removing the old assembly
Step 4: Remove old assembly
Remove the screw on the top of the assembly between the headlamp and parking light. Remove the old headlamp wiring harness.

Do It Right: Now would be a good time to replace your headlight bulbs. Check out our video on headlight bulb selection. Be sure not to touch the bulbs with bare fingers—especially the headlight. Nitrile gloves work great for this.

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transfering the headlamp wiring harness to the new assembly
Step 5: Replace the assembly
Transfer the headlamp wiring harness to the new assembly by removing the screw to make room like we did on the old assembly.
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connecting the bulbs in their sockets
Step 6: Connect the new assembly
After securing the bulbs in their sockets, they can be inserted into the new assembly. Secure the headlamp by turning the retainer ring clockwise onto its socket. Reconnect the electrical connectors to the headlamp and parking light sockets.
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installing the new headlight assembly into the vehicle
Step 7: Reinstall the new headlight assembly
Position the assembly so that the bracket tabs are aligned with their slots and slide the headlamp inward to engage the tabs. Replace the two bolts at the top of the assembly.

If you’re replacing both assemblies, repeat these steps on the other side.
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Additional Resources

New Headlight Bulb on Car
Headlight Lens Restoration and Cleaner
How To Install Tail Lights On Vehicle

The automotive repair work depicted in this series is performed under the direction of the manufacturer of the product featured. Prior to undertaking any of the demonstrated repairs on your vehicle, we suggest you consult with a certified mechanic or another professional who can adequately advise you of the proper repair or remedy required. O’Reilly Automotive Stores, Inc. and its affiliates (“O’Reilly”) disclaims any responsibility for injury or damage resulting from a viewer’s attempt to recreate the repairs shown in this series.

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