So I got a lovely set of projectors earlier this month to throw onto my MINI. Originally I was going to make a housing for a fog projector and a bixenon that would fit down behind the radiator grille. After some experimenting with that option I realized there isnt enough room between grille and radiator to do anything with. I then decided to just replace the stock fogs with the new projectors. The problem I ran into is that my fog light housing is bolted what seems to be backwards. There are three 10mm bolts that are holding it in place and the only way to get to them is to go through the plastic on the wheel well. One of the bolts comes out nice and easy but the other two are proving very problematic. One bolt is like wedged up against the surround so you cant get a socket to it and the other is covered up by what looks like the mechanism to adjust the aim of the lights. Does anyone have experience with getting the stock surrounds off? Im hoping it wont be as difficult as getting the stock rally lights off that are riveted to the hood.

 

I did the opposite -- not remove but installed (retrofitted) OEM fog lights using these instructions: https://www.northamericanmotoring.co...t_Retrofit.pdf. I didn't have any clearance issues getting the screws in, and a 10mm bolt head seems way bigger than what I recall. The kit provided Philips head sheet metal screws as described in the instructions. Perhaps they use something different at the factory, but the parts diagram shows sheet metal screws as well:

http://www.realoem.com/bmw/showparts...30&hg=63&fg=15



In the worst case, you can just drill out the screws from the other side (remove the bumper). Is there some chance you have aftermarket fog lights?

 

The bolts were probably 8mm now that I think about it. If theyre aftermarket lights then props to the person that put them in because I have the oem toggle on my center console and its the oem looking housing and everything. The problem I am having is getting the two upper bolts out (the one labeled 3 in the diagram and the one directly across from it). The third lower screw comes out fine but #3 is pushed up against some plastic trim piece so i can get the socket onto it but i cant get the socket wrench to fit back there. The one directly across from it on the diagram has the whole adjustment assembly covering it. I'll probably try and get an open ended wrench in there when i feel like taking the front bumper and front wheels off the car.

 

Don't have an extension?

 

sorry if this is a dumb question but how are you attacking the light. Normal access is by pulling the wheel well liner, not the bumper . . . so says Haynes anyway.

 

I'm going at it from through the wheel well. I dont think it would be possible to go through the bumper (had the bumper off for something else I was working on). Rkw, I do have an extension but the problem is when I put the extension on if forces me to attack the bolt at an angle and then i cant get the socket onto the bolt. Right now I'm thinking the best thing to do is try and loosen it with an open ended wrench then just take my time and unscrew it with my fingers.

 

Probably quicker to pull the bumper cover in the long run.

 

Eh...The time savings would probably be minimal. Unless I'm mistaken the fogs can come out through the wells once the damn bolts are off. If the fogs have to come forward then obviously its much better to take the bumper off. You're probably right though since its a pain to get any light through there without feeding it from the front.

 

Though I have never done it I have heard people describe the process of removing the bumper cover as taking 20 minutes the first time and 5-10 each time after that. And at that point the whole shooting match is exposed in front of you.

If you do decide to proceed with the cover still on the car then they do sell some "wobble" extension sets, which allow a little bit of play, usually enough so that you can gain access to those bolts that are just a tad out of reach or where the socket just seems to barely grab the nut or bolt. I bought a set at Harbor Freight for a pretty low price and they work nice. And though some of the stuff Harbor Freight sells is junk that product does just fine.

 

Might have to look in to getting one of those extension sets. For just getting the bolts off theres really no point in taking the bumper off. Once everything is loosened then theres an advantage to pulling the whole assembly out through the front of the car. That 20 minute time frame seems very very quick from my experience. I must be doing something really wrong because it takes me like 30-45 minutes to get the bumper cover off my car.