I am trying to remove the headlights on my 2009 Justa to replace them with projectors. The lower outside screw on both Headlights will not come out. They just continue turning with no axial movement. I can even see the back of the screw turning and have tried to pull it out while turning the screw but that is not working either.

Any help would be appreciated as I do want to install my new headlights.

 

I had a similar problem on mine. I found that the screw threaded into a brass insert encased in a plastic clip which was stripped. I ordered a replacement from ECStuning. It was a pain to remove and insert.

 

How did you manage to get the screw out? Did you replace the screw and the brass insert encased in a plastic clip?

 

You will have to partially remove the plastic fender flare and you should be able to see how the brass/plastic nut is inserted into the body. It should be easy enough to pry it out but aligning the new one to insert into the frame can be challenging.

Here is the screw if you need to replace it.

 

Needle noise pliers help, and a flat head screwdriver. yep those are the parts .

 

Any hints as to how to remove the wheel arch trim pieces without damaging them?

Thanks

 

Trim tools help so you can lift behind and not break those clips. And you have to take your time , look at the pics and on our items ( more pics ) to see where the clips are located from factory.

https://www.northamericanmotoring.co...placement.html









Thanks and hope that helps.

 

I would suggest prying out the inner fender liner and having a look at how it is attached. You should be able to get a good look with a flashlight at how the fender trim is attached to the body as well how it is attached to the lower trim. If memory serves you may need to remove a plastic rivet that connects the two trim pieces together to allow you to pry the fender trim away from the body. Once you get the front edge of the fender trim pulled out you should have access to the headlight mount nut.

 

Sounds like it's covered. Or you can do it how I did it, not knowing about taking off the fender to get around it (or was worried about breaking more, either way). I Dremel'd the piece off then replaced both the nut piece and the screw. Mine was a bit different though, practically welded into the nut piece. Couldn't even loosen them once it was out.

 

I was thinking that I would Dremel off the head of the screw to remove the headlight. My issue was then how to remove the remaining screw barrel and nut piece. Did you Dremel the nut and if so how without removing the wheel trim?

 

We have a tech article that can help you with the removal. Under MINI > tech info (tab at top) > R56 articles > Body.

Use a trim panel tool HERE to remove the clips from the fender (inset). The clips will most likely break and have to be replaced - have them HERE. Each front wheel well arch trim uses seven clips.

From our DIY:

 

Mine was all kinds of odd, just went at it as able. I remember I broke at least a couple cutting wheels. If memory serves I cut off the head, then had to go to the back to try and cut off the other side as I couldn't slide it out. Wound up removing the square nut section with a piece of the bolt still in it that never came out. It was a royal pain and took a lot longer than I cared to (hour, maybe two?) but in the end it worked.

If you can do an easier route and/or just cut one end off then unscrew it out of the nut bit definitely do that instead.