I was attempting the aero grille install this afternoon and went to remove my driving lights, only to find out I have no idea how they come unattached at the mount. I am guessing the mounts can stay on as I swap grilles, but I cant figure out where the lead is separated. I had the lights loose and cover off and tried pulling the lines coming out of the back of the bulb....to no avail. Help, I feel stupid and clueless.

Thanks,

TJM

 

You have to disassemble the lights and disconnect the wiring from inside, then pull the wiring out through the mounting stud. There is a ground connector on the reflector and an inline connector to the bulb.

Reassemble in the reverse order and yer done. :smile:

 

I just did the same to put my black grille on. I had to cut the connectors off the wires before I could get the lights off. Then, I had to drill out the rivets that mount the brackets to the bonnet. All 3 on each bracket had to be removed. The design of the OEM mounting brackets is such that you can't get the grille off with them in place. And I don't have a rivet gun, so I haven't been able to re-mount the lights. Desert MINI, fascist bastards that they are, wanted $50 to put in the 6 rivets for me. I can buy a rivet gun for less than that.

 

Yikes My aero grilles are on order and I didn't even consider the driving lights to be a potential problem. Is it possible to replace the rivets w/ screws & nuts? Excuse me... time to go look at my car

 

To answer my own question... if the brackets have to be removed (and it looks like they do) then you could probably replace the old rivits with short screws & nuts. Looks like this project is going to be more of a PITA than I expected.

 

Yeah, that's pretty much my analysis too. I'm going to try to find rivets to fit. With the aero kit, you're going to have to cut a slot for the mounting brackets.