P5 Bulb Replacement Pain in the A$$
 

Hello Everyone:

I just finished replacing the stock headlight bulbs with some Silverstars. After a lot of swearing and cursing the damn engineers that built such a crappy set up, I got the bulbs installed and they look great! However, I am a little concerned as while installing the passenger side bulb, the frickin' spring clip broke away from the cheap plastic lip that holds it against the screw. Damn clip shot under the washer fluid holder and I had to remove the plastic skid plates to get the clip. Anyway, I can't get the clip to stay in as the plastic lip that provided tension busted off. I have just placed the bulb in using the rubber boot but I am sure I need to have the clip in place to ensure that vibration doesn't cause the bulb to break. Am I screwed here in the sense that I will now need to buy a new headlight assembly? Anyone remove a 2003 P5 headlight assembly? I think I can get the clip to stay and install the bulb in the assembly while it is off the car if I can figure out how to remove the damn assembly! I just don't want to tackle this if it is going to totally screw up the alignment.

Sorry for the long post but I couldn't find anything in the previous posts that deals with my issue specifically (lots of bulb replacements but no advice on what to do if you bust the plastic lip).

Any help would be appreciated.

Thanks!

Scott.

I'm gonna bump this post.
Everything seems to be working ok so far but I know that clip needs to be attached to prevent the bulb from moving in the headlight assembly. Seems like a lot of views of the topic but no answers yet. Maybe someone could provide their insight?

Thanks again,

Scott.

hmm
 

sorry dood, i dont have a clue, but i bumped it up ;) anyhow, i jsut saw on EBAY that someone's selling like the right and left headlight separately, so if ya need a new headlight, but dont wanna get them both, then go to ebay and put in "protege headlight" and it should come up.

yeah, replace the whole assembly. It is important that bulb not be loose.

Thanks for the input guys. I was hoping to not have to purchase a new or a used headlight assembly but maybe I can get Mazda to cover at least some of the cost as this shouldn't have happened. I really can't believe how bad the headlight setup is! Jeez, my crappy Dodge Neon at least had acceptable space to work in and not some ghetto wire holder for the bulb. Oh well...

Thanks again,

Scott.

front lights are a little tough, but look at how easy the rears are!!

I've never had any problems taking my bulbs in or out. That's too bad. Maybe you can take it into the dealer and they may be able to remedy the problem for you. If anything, I don't think it will cost you much if anything at all.

On a side note, how did you find the Silverstars, I installed a set the other day and all I can say it what a noticable difference from stock and the Eurolites.