71 headlight bulb replacement

[Seth G.]

Can anyone please walk me through the procedure of replacing headlight bulb? My 71 has a low beam out and attempted to remove bezel to no avail. I presume it needs to be removed first followed by bulb ring, etc.? Thanks

[Jack C.]

Re: 71 headlight bulb replacement

Seth. You must remove the headlight bezel first (two screws). Then remove the screws that hold the metal ring which secures the headlamp in place and take that off. Do not mess with the headlamp adjuster screws. Move the defective headlamp forward and separate the bulb from the wiring harness. You may need to use a screwdriver to help you separate (pry) the headlamp blades from the wire harness. To install, reverse the process.

[Seth G.]

Re: 71 headlight bulb replacement

Thanks but the bezel once screws are removed will move forward but not off due to clearance. Is there a trick to removing the bevel?

[Jack C.]

Re: 71 headlight bulb replacement

I would first place masking tape around the opening not to damage the paint. My guess is that you may have to loosen the upstop adjustment to give you more clearence from the surround panel.

[Alan S.]

Re: 71 headlight bulb replacement

Hi Seth,
I believe if you release the 4 springs that are part of the headlight mechanism you may get enough play in the mechanism to get the bezel off.
If that doesn't help I guess the next option would be to loosen the 'up position stop' a bit to allow the door to open a little further as Jack suggests.
When you actually get to replacing the bulb be very careful as you remove the connector to look for the little rubber seal/collar (It looks like a 1/2" piece of black soda straw) which should be in the connector. This seal helps with gathering and directing the light for the fiber-optic system.
They've often been lost when previous bulbs were changed but hopefully yours will be there. You can easily make one out of a short piece of thin wall rubber hose if you need to.
Good Luck!
Regards,
Alan

AIM UPC 12 Sheet A4, Item 4.

[Seth G.]

Re: 71 headlight bulb replacement

Thanks, appreciate it!

[Terry M.]

Re: 71 headlight bulb replacement

Thanks but the bezel once screws are removed will move forward but not off due to clearance. Is there a trick to removing the bevel?

It has been a while since I removed the bezel, but I thought there were four screws. Two at the front top of the bezel (machine screws into the headlamp housing lid) and one on each side at the back of the bezel (sheet metal screws into J-nuts).

Seith, what is the bezel contacting that prevents removal?

Does your 1971 have headlamp washers? If so the headlamp washer lower nozzle can contact the bottom of the headlamp opening and the tape suggested by Jack will be essential. The washer hoses will not help. I just had to fiddle with it until it came out enough to disconnect the washer hoses.

[Jack C.]

Re: 71 headlight bulb replacement

You're right Terry. I forgot to include the two other screws near the top of the bezel besides the ones on each side.

[Terry M.]

Re: 71 headlight bulb replacement

You're right Terry. I forgot to include the two other screws near the top of the bezel besides the ones on each side.

Those ones on top can be a problem. The steel screws like to corrode into the aluminum or zinc of the headlamp cover and can pose serious problems in removal. There was a time when stainless steel substitutes were available, but I am not sure of the current state of that fastener.

[Seth G.]

Re: 71 headlight bulb replacement

Success! Thanks!

[Terry M.]

Re: 71 headlight bulb replacement

Success! Thanks!

Well, what was it? If your car is late, it wasn't the headlamp washers.