Releasing front indicator/side light clusters - help!!!

[WhyOne?]

After looking at the instruction manual and reading 2 or 3 posts on 'Prime' I am still at a lost as how to release the front indicator/side light units (to change bulbs).

I have found the 'captive screw' access holes, and I have a (very) long Philips screwdriver, but despite much proding any poking around with the screwdriver up the relevant holes, I cannot get it to engage with anything remotely screw like.

Is there a knack to this and if so, what is it???????....Please!!!!!!

[NSXGB]

There is a knack to it and make sure you have the right size phillips screwdriver for the job, knacker the head and you will be removing the bumper to change the bulbs....

Not much help I know but when I did mine, I borrowed a mates ramp and decent selection of screwdrivers to do the job. Being up higher made all the difference, I could then see the angle you need to get the screwdriver seated right.

[reg]

Can you get the car off the ground a little and get underneath with a light? As for the screw heads I agree with NSXGB, if its a Phillips or a Pozi it is way easier with the right screwdriver, It may be worth replacing them whilst you're at it....nothing more annoying than butchered screws.

[AR]

A few comon sense pointers, make sure you use a high qulity screwdriver and that the car is secure when youare getting underneath. You will not need to raise it, if you lay down in front of it. Make sur eyou wear safety glasses. The first time I was messing about with my other NSX I ended up in A&E with a little bit of carbon from the exhaust in my eye.

Cheers,

AR

[duncan]

It's a Philips head, do NOT use a posi. The combined unit clips behind the bumper moulding at the outboard edge, with a spring steel strip rataining that edge; hence the floaty feel. Once the retained screw is released; push the outer edge in against the spring and the inneredge of the unit should rotate forward.
If you round the head off on the screw [or a previous owner has done so] and you need to change one of the two bulbs, the easiest way forward is to;-
Have a practice on the other unit to see how it should be done and then:-
1] raise headlight,
2] remove 2 blanking plugs [outer face only] then remove 4 philips screws holding headlamp cover/garnish.
3] rotate headlamp cover forward, its lower lip will retain it.
4] unbolt headlamp from its cradle [4 bolts], release garnish and rest headlamp as far backwards as possible
5] the spring steel clip retaining the outer lip can then be seen, and then removed, 1 bolt
6] the covers for the 2 bulb holder can be accessed and the bulbs changed
7] reassembly as Mr Haynes would say is in the reverse order.
If the other side lamp unit has been sucessfully removed, you will see the mechanical fixing is a single spire nut which has been slide onto an offstand bracket moulded into the bumper. Suitable brute force, and wiggling the lamp about should allow the lamp, screw and spire nut to be removed in one go: BUT dont blame me if something breaks.
At this stage it may be worth hunting for the 3 or 4 drill bits that broke whilst trying to drill the head of the nut off.
Which leaves the 3 option as drill the head of the nut off, personally I'd recommend starting with a goodly collection of drill bits, they will all be needed.
Have fun,

[WhyOne?]

Blimey, that's straightforward then!!!!!!!

Thanks for the repies guys....particularly Duncan - is this scarily detailed knowledge the product of an unfortunate experience by any chance?

Despite my frustration, I have been very cautious and gentle, so I am pretty sure no damage to the screw heads....yet!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[duncan]

Plan B is when you know you should only push the outer edge of the unit in and you try pulling it out; thats when the clear plastic becomes detached from the rest of the unit. If its your side light that has failed, it can of course be renewed then; prior to glueing everything back together; if its the indicator thats failed-you are now double b*****ed. However I wouldn't recommend in the first instance.
At least both bulbs can be changed via the headlamp removal approach.
Both of my philips headed self tapping screws are now replaced by slot headed stainless steel jobbies!

[DTA-Motorsport]

As I frequently install HID kits into NSX's I also install colour co-ordinated side lights at the same time. These are housed next to the indicator. My prefered option is to remove the indicator unit as described above via said screw removal. However, I too have been at a loss on a few cars where the screws just wouldn't undo. Now I replace the side lights when the headlight has been removed during the HID install - very easy and good access.

One further note to those who do mention to remove the indicator units succesfully, apart from the screw keeping the unit in place they are also "taped" into place and breaking this "adhesive" can sometimes require brute force. So long as you pull the unit out from the point closest to the licence plate you'll be ok. I've had customers shriek in horror (that would be you Lankstar ... ;-)) when they see me pull on the units which then release with a lot of noise. LOL!

Good luck!

Dan

[simonprelude]

I haven't looked, but can't you get under the car and take the indicator bulb out without removing the cluster ??

[DTA-Motorsport]

I haven't looked, but can't you get under the car and take the indicator bulb out without removing the cluster ??

No, afraid not. The unit is worked into the bumper and you'd need triple jointed fingers on a go-go-Gadget arm to get to them from underneath the car :-)

BTW - how are you Simon?

All the best,

Dan

[simonprelude]

Not too bad, will be a lot better when the swine of a Prelude is back on the road and working.


BTW - how are you Simon?

[Lankstarr]

I've had customers shriek in horror (that would be you Lankstar ... ;-))

Shreik in horror sir?

Like a girl sir?

Not me sir;)

[DTA-Motorsport]

Shreik in horror sir?

Like a girl sir?

Not me sir;)

I'm sorry, that must have been the shriek I heard as you dropped one of the headlight cover bolts down the front of your car ... ;-)

BTW - your parcel will be out the door tomorrow.

Cheers mate!

Dan

[Senninha]

Sidelights received, install took ten minutes total and the difference is amazing!! Best bit of info on the instructions is that the retaining screw DOES NOT FULLY RELEASE.

Thanx to Luke for arranging the new bulbs, very much appreciated! :D

regards, Paul

PS, definately no girlie shrieks required!

[CrazyMixedUpKid]

the problem with the retaining clip / screw things is - they do rust over time.

I successfully changed mine a year or so ago - but a few weeks back went to put the Blue Visions in and - as is always the way - one came out no probs - second one refused to budge - and I successfully burred the head off the screw.

Luckily I had already bought replacement clips as I knew they were rusting:

Part no is: 33303-SLO-A01

Was thinking the bumber / headlights would have to come out ... but eventually got mine out by:

1) position long screw driver on the edge of the plastic housing and bang with hammer until you break it off! Do both 'halves' as its like a hinged cylinder.
2) this leaves screw exposed - jam a socket over it - I think I used a 8 or 9mm socket on a long extension - jams over nice and tight with a gentle tap of a hammer and then ratchet it out!
3) install nice new shiny ones

Worked for me!

[havoc]

Apologies for resurrecting a three-year-old thread, but guess what?

Yep - that bloody screw won't come out, and in trying to get it out i've cracked the 'sleeve' that guides the screwdriver up to the screw-head! So now even if the damned head isn't burred it's impossible to line-up on it anyway. And with an MOT due on Wednesday!

So, thanks to Duncan and Paul for advice on how to DIY it (Paul - if you're still around can you elaborate a bit more for this less-than-skilled owner, please?)...

...and can anyone tell me whether it's possible to replace that sleeve, and if that requires similar levels of skill/dexterity to the screw (in which case I'm scuppered already)???



(I wish I'd read this first...not that it'd necessarily have made much difference)

[Kaz-kzukNA1]

Hi, havoc.

Once you get to know the structure of this screw/cylinder parts, it’s fairly easy.

Not sure what is your priority/objective to prepare the car in time for the MOT but if you want to replace the light bulbs without spending long time trying to remove the rusty screw, then it is best to access the bulbs from the top.

As other members mentioned, you can do this by shifting the headlight unit.

If you want to replace the indicator unit, then following diagram and photos will provide you with some idea. As you managed to crack the cylinder already, you are not that far off any way.

If you click on the image, it will pop up new window with enlarged image.

7491
The indicator unit.
The screw with the cylinder that you cracked is #7.
As in Paul’s post, it’s 33303-SL0-A01. HUK GBP5.92+VAT

There is a tab at the outer edge of the indicator unit which is inserted to the recess at the front bumper. This tab is pushed against the bumper from the back by the spring #21.

At the top and bottom of the indicator unit, there is a cushion tape to prevent scrach/noise. This could get sticky and bond the unit to the bumper so you may require lots of force to pop out the unit as described by other members.

It is best to apply masking tape on the bumper face around the indicator unit to prevent any scratches.

The tip is to push the outer edge of the unit towards the rear of the car to overcome the spring force and gently pull the inner edge towards you.

7492 7493 7494
The inner edge will come out towards you like this.

From the top. The cylinder with the screw inside is just below the hole in the centre of the 2nd photo. The screw won’t come out (down) all the way when loosening it.

The screw.

[Kaz-kzukNA1]

7495 7496
The spring nut at the bumper structure. This is where the screw is inserted.

The cylinder. Just four tiny clips holding it to the indicator unit. Screw is inside there.


Based on these photos and diagram, I hope you can loosen far enough the rusty screw so that you can pop out the indicator unit.

Regards,
Kaz

[havoc]

Perfect Kaz - thanks for that - came in very handy this afternoon. In the end the screw could be got out and I've replaced it with a less-rusty one!

Bulbs are now sorted for the MOT, but I've checked the other side and it looks to have been completely burred / drilled-out by a previous owner, so I need to think about whether to try and 'pry' that side out (and then replace the broken 'sleeve' - I've seen it's just attached by 4 small lugs at the top of the plastic sleeve), or just go through the headlamp when the bulbs on that side need replacing.