93 Intrepid Headlight question reincarnated...

I've searched the archives, and googled the internet. I know all about
upgrading to the newer lens assemblies, and the bigger wiring and
adding a relay stuff. I read about how to change the bulbs out without
removing the headlight assemblies. And buying new mounting screws, and
using anti-seize compound when I install thenew set.

What I *don't* know, is what folks have done to successfully remove the
old mounting screws that are spinning in the threaded inserts.

I'm pretty shore it's gonna involve surgical destruction of the old
headlight assemblies and screws.

I'd appreciate any insight anyone could offer thankee!

kurt

 

I have an Eagle Vision, and while the headlights don't look the same between
the two, they suffer from the same fate... Odds are that once you get the
screw removed, your headlight assembly won't be usable any more (and not
just because you can't tighten the screw back down on it.)

What I did for mine was to remove the marker/signal light so that I could
gain access to the bottom of the headlamp on that side (there were no
obstructions on the other side,) and used a pair of pliers and/or Vice-Grip
to squeeze the section of the lamp where the knurled insert is... This
effectively crushes the plastic part of the headlight surrounding the
knurled insert, but at least it allowed me to remove the headlamp without
destroying the mount...

Like a I said, this was on an Eagle Vision (same headlamps as the Concorde),
so this may not be quite as easy or even possible with the Intrepid
headlamps, but I'd at least look into it. Try spraying it with a little
penetrating lube as well, it can't hurt...

 

Another trick is instead of removing just the headlamp, remove the
ENTIRE headlamp and bracket assembly from the vehicle. Be warned- the
3rd screw that holds the bracket in is buried DEEP below the headlamp
and behind the bumper. I cheated and never re-installed that one- no
problems.

Actually, since I also have a Vision, I managed to secure a pair of
European headlamps for it and solved the crappy headlamp problem
permanently. But that conversion isn't for the faint of heart- its
expensive AND requires some fabrication to adapt the E-code lamps to the
US headlamp bracket that doesn't have electric headlamp levelling
motors. And it won't work for an Intrepid at all since the Euro lamps
only were made in the Vision/Concorde format.

 

I shoulda said that destroying the assemblies wasn't a concern. Since
I'm doing this in an effort to replace the cloudy/yellow *original*
assemblies.

My thoughts exactly! Thanks for the cooberating testimony. I
appreciate it.

kurt

 

That's the backup plan!

I seem to recall from back in the day on MML that E-code p/n's were
assigned for the Intrepids. But I find out they were never offered.

Thanks to both of you for the replies.

kurt