How to Replace RX300 Headlamp Driver Side Part 1
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- Опубликовано: 12 сен 2024
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This is video 1 of 4. Removed 2003 Lexus RX300 headlamp assembly without removing wheel, with a few simple tools. Replaced with a new one from eBay. There are 4 parts to this video, and they are all named the same except for the number at the end. We did this job in about 4 hours including taking video and figuring it all out.
Thanks for the video. Had some comments, though: 1. strongly suggest removing tire and wheel well plastic liner. 2. trim/bezel is removed after headlight is out. 3. do not need to remove battery 4. all wires can be moved directly to new headlight while both are out
Excellent video, thank you! I just did this job, and it was pretty easy thanks to this.
A few tips. You do not need to remove the battery. Once you take your lower grill off and pull the fender liner back and take off the two 10mm nuts in back (and the 10mm bolt up front), the light will just pull out easily.
Labeling the plugs is unnecessary. I just put the new light right next to the old one, so it was pretty easy to get a mental picture of everything and then quickly hook up the new one.
I felt sorry for this poor guy trying to take off that little trim screw from inside the fender well, lol! That is not necessary, and, I imagine, tedius. You can remove the screw once you have the old light out and then just swap the piece over to the new one. On that note, it is easier to remove the piece when you start from the end with the screw. Trying to remove it from the "sticker side" is difficult.
The most time-consuming part for me was the fender liner. Just make sure you make a note of how the clips hold the liner in place. It's not like other cars were it just bolts up. There's a clip that the lip of the liner goes into, and another goes over the tab in the body, like an "S." Be sure to note how it goes before you take it off.
Once again, great video. Almost every RX300 I see has cloudy, nasty headlights. Since you can get Eagle Eyes for about 70 bucks each, and it's so easy to replace them, there is no excuse not to do it. And it makes a night and day difference in how the crossover looks.
Thanks for making the video. You had no experience taking it apart and showed us how to do it - likely saving me hours. By myself, it took 2.5 hours from start to finish, less than an hour for the 2nd one. Much of the time is spent on the ground taking out screws and bolts from the bottom cover and wheel covers.
For mine, it was a bit tricky to pull the driver side (theres a plastic lip on the bottom holding it in place) - but on the passenger side, it came out with a slight pull. The after-market headlamps are not perfect... the top plastic bolt-mount is thinner than the factory version. They are different sizes between the passenger and driver side - so requiring washers to make a tighter fit. When done - the care looks "new" and the lights are bright. Better than any $10~30 "headlamp" recovery city from a parts store.
I would like to add some steps I did differently which could make things easier.
1 - Jackup the car and remove the wheel. It may take 10 minutes to remover and re-install, but it gives a lot more room to pull the covers off and get access to the screws.
2 - Don't bother the metal strip that clips and screws onto the headlamp. Remove it after pulling out the lamp unit. Less risk damaging it... and easier to remove.
(This is the body colored metal strip that divides the lamp unit into two parts).
3 - Don't bother unplugging the individual bulb wiring UNTIL the whole unit is removed from the body (number each connection before removal - but many only fit their intended bulb anyway) - Thus, unplugging all five in about 5~10 minutes with your fingers, sometimes with a screw-driver as well.
4 - Unplug the battery before unplugging the headlamp housing... leave battery in the car, it's not in the way. Test all the lights before reassembly.
5 - Wash parts of the front bumper, grill and the two metal-strips before putting them reassembly. There is dirt there that you can't get to otherwise. Might as well.
This is to add to Kris for making such a detailed video.
Saving thousands of RX300 owners lots of time and money.
I just did mine today. Between this video and your tips I got this done pretty effortlessly in two hours. Thanks!!
I have to replace both of my headlight assemblies. Thanks so much for the detailed videos. Very complicated procedure for such a simple repair.
Helpful and straight to the point. Saved much time. Thanks!
Thank you for your video but, after watching your 4 part videos, I replaced our 2003 RX 300 headlights like you did. I'd like to help others with theirs by commenting on yours, I am not dissing your video, just trying to help.
DO NOT REMOVE BATTERY, NO NEED TO.
1: REMOVE THE TIRE - WHEEL, trust me it's a lot easier.
2. REMOVE THE FENDER GUARD SCREWS FROM THE TOP OF WHEEL WELL FORWARD, then fold the guard back out of your way.
3. REMOVE THE BEZEL SCREW FROM WITHIN THE FENDER WELL, THEN REMOVE THE BEZEL FROM THE REAR FORWARD. The bezel has a sticker tape on it so be careful prying it off.
4. REMOVE THE 2 NUTS INSIDE THE FENDER AND 1 BOLT ON TOP OF LIGHT ASSEMBLY, DO NOT REMOVE WIRING UNTIL LIGHT IS OUT OF THE CAR FENDER, there is sufficient wiring to pull the light out.
5. NUMBER THE CONNECTIONS AND REMOVE LIGHT.
6. INSTALL NEW LIGHT AND RE- ASSEMBLE
I did both sides like this and it was easy.
Very clear and organized. Thanks for sharing
Thanks for that! I am very reluctant to work on my vehicles, but you have inspired me. 😁
Learning with your audience. How fun!
Remember the days when you didn't have to disassemble your whole car to change out a damn headlight lol. I helped my cousin change out both head and taillight assemblies in his 76 C-10 in about 15 minutes.
Yes I do, Derek. Very good point. AND I remember when headlights were made of GLASS and didn't get all cloudy by their second birthday. As a materials engineer myself, it's extremely disappointing to see car companies continue to use inferior materials just to save a bit of weight...especially considering the advances that have been made in glass strength over recent years (think: Apple iPhone gorilla glass from Corning).
Thanks for the video! I have a 2002 RX300. Do you have to readjust the headlight beam on the new one?
I didn't adjust the headlights, but probably should. They now seem very bright and seem to shoot high. I actually don't know how to make the adjustments but there must be another RUclips video out there for that. Thanks for the comment and for subscribing! Best of luck to you!
As a side note: The 2003 chrome lights are compatible with 2001 lights which have black/dark grey instead. So you can make your Lexus look a few years younger with the Chrome version. But I personally like the darker lights and went with those instead :)
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Took about 2 hours for the driver's side. I didn't need to remove the battery, and you don't need to take the trim strip off until after the assembly is out. No need to remove the light wiring to get the assembly out. Finally, on mine the trim strip is ALSO held in place by adhesive, which is difficult to get loose without bending the metal trim - be careful!.
I had that problem too with the trim piece, but then I switched to the screw side, and then it came out super easy. It's almost impossible to remove it from the other side by the sticker without bending it and/or gouging it up with a screwdriver, I would agree. And don't yank on it. Just gently peel it and patiently use your fingers to free it from the original sticker.
If it does not go in to OD there is a known problem with the knock sensor. Keeps it in lip mode.
Thanks very much for the uploads! Do you have a link to where you had purchased the headlamps from?
Zach, you're welcome. I'd appreciate it if you could subscribe to my channel and like my videos. I'm trying to get to 1000 subscribers. I bought the headlamps via amazon, and they were sold by a company called "Auto Parts Avenue". Back in December 2017, the pair cost me $134.99. I still haven't gotten around to installing the passenger side, but I'll try to post a video when I do, as washer fluid reservoir is "in the way" on that side, whereas the battery is in the way on the other side. Good luck!
Thank you!
Thank you very much. Wish you made video shorter and faster..again thanks
Yeah short, well-edited videos sure are nice! I didn't have time or resources to edit, so I just popped these onto RUclips as-is. Maybe I'll edit if RUclips ever monetizes me (which requires I get 1000 subscribers, which I have yet to achieve).
Would have been much easier just to polish the lens and refinish it?
Good question. For some people, yes absolutely, polish those lenses. I have gone that route in the past and didn't really have much luck getting the lenses as nice and clear as I like them. So I prefer to get new ones and replace them. To each his own.
That works if not cracked for a time.
# sweatinthedetails my 2003 rx300 are the original factory headlamps and they are foggy not yellow i may try polishing them first any hints on a good polish or restore kit?
Canadian tuxedo