I undid the two screws holding the headlight to the bracket and even took out the plastic retainer clips for the fender. It felt like I was going to break the headlight apart trying to get it out of the car. So I went in the car and got the manual to see if I was doing something wrong and it said to do exactly what I was doing.
It would have been a lot easier if they just opened up that hole behind the headlight bracket big enough to get your hand through.

 

umm yeah but that would be easy

 

You got that right. I did the exact same thing Littlejohn did until I finally got them out. Took me a good while. Now I have to conker that task again because I want to paint them.

 

Yes, they could (and Have) made headlamps that are a bigger pain to remove. If you really want a treat, try it on almost any foriegn car. Most require removing the bumper cover!
Dennis

 

try removing the headlamp for a 92 cutlass supreme..... just after your hand gets all gashed and you break the windshield in anger the headlight will come out

 

my 02 ford ranger had pivoting screws on the back of the headlight, that you had to align prior to putting the headlight in.. you better hope to god that nothing bumped those screws to misalign them, what a pain in the ass.

 

I would have to agree 100% with everybody on the removal of these lamps. Terrible.....

 

i didn't think it was too bad. maybe mines broke. but i did need to replace one that burnt out in less then 8000 miles that pissed me off. but after the 2 screws and clips the entire headlight came right out.

Try it on a VW..... it took me almost an hour to do 1 side.

 

Ill agree with r33p3r on this one. there easy, at least to me they are. undo 2 screws, wiggle and it came right out like butter... maybe you guys are doing it wrong :P

 

Yep. Wife Had Golf GLS. Took me 1hr and 45min to change both headlights.

 

no you guys got the easy batch, everyone else including me have had a bitch of a time with the headlights, but eventually they do come out. I had to remove the retainer clips on the top part of my bumper to do it though.

 

All I did was remove a few of those push pins that hold the top of the bumber and grill on, this way I could pull back on the bumper a little. It came out nice and easy after that.

 

I got the damn right headlight out an unscrewed the bulb holder. The holder that attaches to the headlight chipped wtf. I was gentle from step 1 an the this is what i get - I guess i can go back to the dealership..........WHY did gm make it a b*tch to replace bulbs on the cobalt. My irish temper is letting loose...Grr!

 

yeas mercury should know the best lol!!!!!

 

I wouldn't say they were the toughest headlight to get out but the " stupidest " yes.

It reminded me of installing the Mach1 grille in my Mustang GT. Nothing like just plain yanking on painted plastic.

Take this flex additive!