Ive got the service manual page for this, but going to attempt to do it this afternoon so i can replace my side light bulbs (tried with long nose pliers, not working!)

anyone in the uk done this and if so how long did it take, was it pretty straight forward?

any bad bits to look forward to?

 

You won't need to remove the front bumper to replace the side lights. Take out the screws of the inner wheel well lining at the 9 and 10 o'clock positions (you don't have to remove the wheel) Stick your hand in behind and find the light then push it out from back to front. The lens will come out and then you can unscrew the bulb.

 

sorry, the side light bulbs in the UK refer to the Small top right hand corner bulbs in the headlights, with the grey plugs on the rear.

 

You still don't have to remove the bumper in order to remove the headlights but it does make it a lot easier. If you remove the bumper I assume everything is the same on the UK versions so here is what I do.
1. Remove the grill
2. Remove the undertray after lifting up the car
3. Remove the lower grills by pushing them out from the outside-in from behind the bumper.
4. You'll see a little silver plate behind there, one on each side, crawl under the car and remove the bolts that are attached to those.
5. Unplug the sensor on the passenger side of your car that pokes through the lower grill opening, do that from underneath the car, you'll see it right next to the silver screw plate.
6. There are two screws, one each side of the car, on the bottom of the bumper near the wheel well opening, remove those.
7. Remove the screws in the wheel well lining like I mentioned and remove the side signal lights.
8. There are two bolts on each side of the bumper that hold the sides on, remove both, the one closest to the front is easiest to remove by placing an extension on the bolt and then attaching the ratchet through the side signal opening.
9. Remove the bolts at the top of the bumper by the grill opening.
10. All the bolts should be removed, give it a slight tug and it should go but if not stop because you've missed something.

Now you can remove the headlights, when putting the bumper back on work in the opposite order but don't tighten the top screws until everything else is done. All bolts are either 8 or 10 mm.

 

My god guys slow down, you dont need to do any of this - all you need is your fingers and a small flat screwdriver. Its a five min job - see instructions at www.ukcrossfires.co.uk

 

smashed all my bulb holder using the screwdriver method

will remove headlamp over next couple days

 

I cant understand how you have smashed it unless you have been too rough. The bulb holders are simple little bayonet fittings and come out easily but with care. If you have broken one, pop into your local MB benz dealer for a replacement, they are about Ł7.50 each. If this has turned out to be too much of a fiddle, go to Halfords and they will fit your bulbs while you wait for a fiver. (and they don't remove any bodywork!

 

I know how you feel. After fiddling around at the back of the headlamp, braking things and scratching your hands. Taking the bumper off looks like the easiest option. But taking a bumper off can lead to their own problems. I should know, I remove and refit bumpers all day long. I don’t want to sound rude, but if you had a problem with the side lamp bulbs, removing the bumper might send you into a flat spin.
My advise would be, give a body shop a call. They fit troublesome bulbs every day and their hourly labour rate is a lot lower than a mechanical garage.

Good luck
Jon

 

I'm with Steve on this one, I have changed mine in a matter of minutes. I don't intend to take the bumper off to change the complete headlamp units

 

you wouldnt happen to know the part number for the bulb holder from MB would you? ta

 

Let see if I can dig this out - I bought a pair of these to illuminate some red rear markers which I recently got from the states. These bulb holders are used on various different MB models. Give me a few hours

 

much appreciated if so! cheers

 

MB Bulb Holder Part PA66 GF30 used on various models for marker lights and side lights.

 

I'm not sure if it's me, my computer or what but this site you mention above does not work as is.
I replied to your thread, edited the address by removing the emoticon and then went to the site in preview and it worked fine.
Good article but it took a lot of looking for if you do not know the site.
This should take you straight to the article.
http://www.ukcrossfires.co.uk/useful...ide-lamp-bulbs

 

I have just had to replace a sidelight bulb, took me about 2 mins, use a small pair of angled pinnose pliers