H7 bulb removal technique?

Stallingrad

Have just replaced the H7 bulbs in the Passat (B7) with Nightbreakers. Access was easy enough and they are a simple enough push on, pull off design, no rotate, no clips. But they did take a lot of force to pull them out, and gripping them by the plastic connector a few times the connector pulled off and the bulb stayed in place.

Am I missing something or is the only technique to grip the connector like crazy, and pull?

Chimaera

They should come out with no effort at all. Sounds like you didn't get the clips open fully. There's nearly always a metal spring clip holding the bulb in place. Something like this:

Avns1s

The best technique I find is:
1. Remove the cover,
2. Pull off the connector.
3. Unclip the bulb retainer (as the last poster has kindly shown)
4. Remove Bulb,
5. Fit new bulb ensuring that it's in the correct position - it can only fit easily one way.
6. Clip the retainer holding bulb in place properly.
7. Refit Connector.
8. Refit cover.

From your post, I would check that steps 5 and 6 were done properly as otherwise your focus will be out.

Stallingrad

Thing is there are no retaining clips like that, just some very small spring loaded pins at each side, so you have to pull past those to release. They will pop out but quite a lot of force needs to be applied.

Chimaera

Those are the clips I'm talking about. You pull them towards each other to release them from their latch then the whole lot hinges away from the back of the bulb. The bulb should nearly fall out at that point.

Stallingrad

Chimaera wrote: »

Those are the clips I'm talking about. You pull them towards each other to release them from their latch then the whole lot hinges away from the back of the bulb. The bulb should nearly fall out at that point.

I know the type you mean, my old BMW had those, but there are no hinged anything on these, I'll try and get a photo up.

iano.p

Stallingrad wrote: »

Have just replaced the H7 bulbs in the Passat (B7) with Nightbreakers. Access was easy enough and they are a simple enough push on, pull off design, no rotate, no clips. But they did take a lot of force to pull them out, and gripping them by the plastic connector a few times the connector pulled off and the bulb stayed in place.

Am I missing something or is the only technique to grip the connector like crazy, and pull?

My b6 passat is the same a lot of force pulling them out. It's much harder when the connecter comes of the bulb. There is no spring thing on it either

Truckermal

Stallingrad wrote: »

Thing is there are no retaining clips like that, just some very small spring loaded pins at each side, so you have to pull past those to release. They will pop out but quite a lot of force needs to be applied.

They are a pure hoor to get out especially the driver's side!!! The Valeo units are a curse all together I just took off the front bumper for a finish as it was easier.. I am after ordering LED lights on my new car so no worries about bulbs ever again! !!!

mickdw

A small rotation is sometimes needed to release the bulb