Hi! I have some new ones to replace the existing corroded ones but can’t get the old ones off. The manual says “slide towards the back of the car and then turn anticlockwise” which is obviously very simple but normal levels of force are not achieving anything.
Are there any tips to achieve this or do I just find extra reserves of energy from somewhere and force the issue? Apologies for the appalling lack of DIY skills here
An old credit card slipped behind and push in the correct direction should do it. I can’t remember which way they push, try your way but it worked for me.
I far as I remember no twisting involved, it’s just a spring clip needs releasing hence the credit card behind and push.
Yes, they do stick to the bodywork with time and won’t easily move. I pulled some dental floss between the gasket and the wing to break the bond, followed by a squirt of WD40. As I recall you push them back against the spring resistance of the retaining clips and the other end can then be lifted out. Refitting (as they say) is the reverse of removing. No twisting - think that’s to remove the bulb once the holder is out of the wing.
JS
Thank you both, I will try those ideas out in a moment. I have this larger Chrome ring as well and notice on MX5 Parts reviews they are talking about silicon to fix it in place, wondered if that might be causing me problems as well?
Quite why the replacement units need silicone sealant is unclear, but as the standard units get stuck well in with time, then you will have fun!
JS
Okay, all sorted, thank you for your help. To be clear it was the additional chrome rings that were causing me the problem, I naively thought it was one whole unit, hence my confusion. Floss to remove the large outer ring and then a credit card to provide extra oomph to remove the actual light unit has worked for me. I think serious DIY is beyond me.
All sorted
If I’d have known you had those chrome rings more advice would’ve been forthcoming. I had exactly the same job to do, I levered mine off with a plastic spatula, they were held on with 3M tape. Swapped the lights and rings replaced with some 3M tape.