Request Advice Replacing Head Light on an 87 Camry... - Toyota Nation Forum : Toyota Car and Truck Forums

DrewLooner · 03-07-2006, 04:03 AM

I need to replace the passenger side headlamp shell (the encasing not the bulb). How in the heck do I do this?!? I unsuccessfully tried to take the broken one out. will try again tomorrow, but some advice would be nice... Am I going to have to take out the entire front end? What is the EASIEST way?

88 LE · 03-07-2006, 03:28 PM

Remove the bumper and the piece of metal in front of the hood (it goes over the headlights and grill).

Bumper removal:

http://toyotanation.com/forum/t34751.html

DrewLooner · 03-07-2006, 08:04 PM

I was afraid of that! Thanx, I'll post up how it went...

((...as if anyone REALLY cares))

white90dx · 03-07-2006, 11:32 PM

No need for bumper removal... I've done this before.

Remove: corner lights, grill, and nose piece (metal above the lights), then it comes right out.

-Charlie

88 LE · 03-08-2006, 01:25 AM

^ Hmm....

My bumper was already removed when I removed the headlights. So I thought the bumper had to be removed.

white90dx · 03-09-2006, 05:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 88 LE

^ Hmm....

My bumper was already removed when I removed the headlights. So I thought the bumper had to be removed.

I just removed my headlights last night to do some intercooler heat exchanger fitting... it helps to have the bumper removed, but it isn't 100% necessary.

1883atlantics · 09-09-2007, 10:26 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by white90dx

No need for bumper removal... I've done this before.

Remove: corner lights, grill, and nose piece (metal above the lights), then it comes right out.

-Charlie

Hmmm...ok I'm doing this today, and I can't get the nose piece off w/o removing the corner light and that won't come out due to the bottom flange (it's black) hitting the bumper. So on my 90 Japan-built Camry Le V6 it seems the bumper must come off.
Charlie how do you take your corner lights out w/o taking off the bumper? I noticed you have a 90 as well.

Thanks,
Jeff

es250nut · 09-09-2007, 12:15 PM

I've done this many times

The corner light will come off. After you pull the two screws, it should pull straight forward about an inch or two and you should be able to piviot it out.

After you pull the corner light you will have access to the two nuts holding the light assembly in along with the bolt that holds the upper valance in place. While you are there you can use a needle nose pliers to remove the clip that holds the wiring harness from the corner light to the light assembly frame. You will need to pull the grille and the valance (which means pulling the other corner light) There are additional nuts holding the light assembly on near the radiator. You might have trouble getting your light out if you don't remove the plastic air dam/bottom flange off first (3 black phillips screws)

1883atlantics · 09-09-2007, 04:08 PM

Thanks. I did get the corner light out like u said, but I had not seen your informative post. It's soooo friggin easy once u pivot it out. Bumper, thankfully, stayed on. But, how is the parking light bulb supposed to go in? I pushed down on it and it sprang up and i removed it. then I tried to put the new one in (correct type/size) and it wont go. I have reassembled the car (becaue I have to go somewhere tonight) so I have my new Piaa headlamp bulbs in (Star White 9004) but my driver's parking light is not coming on. Grrrr. I think I broke something in the bulb holder. Oh....and I did all this not to replace the bulbs, but because my driver's side glass was busted by a rock. So I had to take the headlamp assy out.
Jeff