Finally installed the low beams correctly!!
Finally installed the low beams correctly!!
I have not posted in a while so I thought I would share my story. Two years ago I replaced the H7 low beams in my roadster with Sylvania Silverstar Ultras. I did them one at a time, but I'll be darned, both beams were pointing about 10 feet in front of the car. I re-installed them a couple times with no luck. I even checked the positioning against the oem bulbs in my SRT6 and they seemed correct. Fortunately I do not do much night driving, but every time I did I would complain to myself about the crappy headlights.
Fast forward to last week and I had my SRT6 on the road for the first time this year...and blew a bulb. Debated, but decided to buy another pair of Ultras. This time I also procured a mirror on the little stick, so I could really see into the back of the headlight. I carefully installed both with the tab down and centered. My first night ride was glorious -- lots of light, more than before.
Last night I reinstalled the bulbs in the roadster using the same technique. Again, success and lots of light. I am now 110% happy with both Crossfires again.
Fast forward to last week and I had my SRT6 on the road for the first time this year...and blew a bulb. Debated, but decided to buy another pair of Ultras. This time I also procured a mirror on the little stick, so I could really see into the back of the headlight. I carefully installed both with the tab down and centered. My first night ride was glorious -- lots of light, more than before.
Last night I reinstalled the bulbs in the roadster using the same technique. Again, success and lots of light. I am now 110% happy with both Crossfires again.
Join Date: Dec 2006
Location: Murfreesboro, TN
Age: 39
Posts: 6,348
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Re: Finally installed the low beams correctly!!
I can understand that, especially if you have "big hands" (no Trump joke here). After a couple times doing this, the roadster was relatively easy especially after moving the radiator hose on the passenger side. It takes less than 10 minutes per light. The SRT6 is more of a challenge - there is some kind of air pump directly behind the driver light and it has to be unbolted and moved out of the way first. I also have one of the small running lights over the headlight out and have to figure out how to access that...eventually.
Join Date: Dec 2006
Location: Murfreesboro, TN
Age: 39
Posts: 6,348
Likes: 0
Received 10 Likes
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10 Posts
Re: Finally installed the low beams correctly!!
Yep, that's what I struggled with. Kim's hands could fit, but she lacked the strength to compress the clip. My hands couldn't fit unless I REALLY contorted them, so strength was irrelevant.
Re: Finally installed the low beams correctly!!
My Father once told me that if you want to find the easiest way to do a job, give it to a lazy person. They will think about it and figure out the simplest way to do it. With that in mind.....
Take a flat head screwdriver about 8 inches long, use a dremel tool with a cutting wheel (.040 thick) and cut a small notch in the blade about 1/8 inch deep. This will give you a nice grove to use to push against the headlight retaining wire. The cut prevents it from slipping off. Once you have tension on it, it is easy to push it a little further in and to the side. It comes right off the post. Once you have your new bulb in position, just take the screwdriver and push the wire in and slide it behind the post to lock the wire in.
Take a flat head screwdriver about 8 inches long, use a dremel tool with a cutting wheel (.040 thick) and cut a small notch in the blade about 1/8 inch deep. This will give you a nice grove to use to push against the headlight retaining wire. The cut prevents it from slipping off. Once you have tension on it, it is easy to push it a little further in and to the side. It comes right off the post. Once you have your new bulb in position, just take the screwdriver and push the wire in and slide it behind the post to lock the wire in.