VW 3B & 3BG: B5.5 Passat Headlight assembly removal

[@rudolfhuijs4526]

I'm doing that job tomorrow to replace one headlight housing. The chroming in the high beam reflector got cracked and the internal aligners (vertical and horizontal) broke, not to mention the insane plastic wire cover cracking due to time and heat. I decided to step up from aftermarket HID kit to a full OEM D2S system on low beam (projector), Hella 35W ballasts and Philips 5000K XV-2 bulbs. High beams will be LED ultra bright from Nineo II. It takes a while to machine some adapters for the bulb base. And proper alignment for an optimal height/distance beam. I forgot all the PITA involved in doing this job, so your excellent video came handy. Thanks Thomas!

[@EXOVCDS]

OEM will be a nice upgrade! I bought some cheap H1 HID for my Mom that I still have to install. I've been happy with those cheap HID kits in my cars... one of the cars has had them installed for 9 years and they still work great, my other car has had them for 2 years.

[@rudolfhuijs4526]

Thomas EXOVCDS OE type bulbs installed. What a difference! The output from the new headlamp doubled the intensity of the previous headlamp. It seems the projector inner walls and the plastic outer cover downgrades with time (15 years) due to heat and UV light. What I found out is that for HID lighting the use of relays is a must. My first HID kit was from Xenon Factory from Canada (they no longer make automotive lighting) and lasted around 13-14 years. I installed this year, January, a cheap 55W kit without relays and the bulbs lost brightness after 3-4 months and some of my wiring harness looked like melting. That proves cheap is expensive. Have a fantastic New Year! Cheers... 🍾

[@EXOVCDS]

@@rudolfhuijs4526 Thanks for the update! Happy New Year and all the best to you & your family as well!

[@baxrok2.]

Over the years I've polished three or four sets of headlights. I was never satisfied with the results. A couple of months ago I did another set with the latest 3M kit. The results were literally amazing. Like new! Since I can't/won't afford new lenses I'm very happy with the kit results. On the flip side, your new headlights will certainly be a big benefit for Mom's night driving and a nice freshen up for the Passat! Thanks!

[@EXOVCDS]

Thanks for the info / insight on the 3M kit! What kind of skill level / patience / time did it take?

[@baxrok2.]

@@EXOVCDSThis is the kit I used. www.amazon.com/3M-39165-Headlight-Restoration-Heavy/dp/B012OE96TA Skill level = basic. Patience level = moderate. Time = Although I didn't time it, I'd say, about 25 minutes ish per light. I put more effort and attention into this kit then any of my prior efforts. It was worth it. Also, this kit comes with a sealant which really took the finished product to the next level. I have been driving significantly more that usual since I used this kit. To this day, the lights are still just as good looking as they were when I finished the polishing. I still look at them in amazement. lol BTW, Eric O. did a nice video on the kit he uses to polish customers lights.

[@EXOVCDS]

Thanks for the link and skill level info!! I saw his video... I'll keep your link in mind for when these lights need a touch up!

[@BruceLyeg]

That's pretty awesome that they put access panels in the wheel well liner to be able to change the headlight bulb. Being such a good boy again, fixing your moms car.

[@EXOVCDS]

I should have clarified that the panel is for the park / signal bulb. Low & high beam are accessible from the top. I'm still her favorite!!!! I think. =)

[@CarsExposed]

The old lights didn’t look too bad until.... the new ones turned up 👌. Quality parts Hella. 👍

[@EXOVCDS]

Oncoming traffic will have to wear shades! =)

[@CarsExposed]

🤣🤣🤣🤣

[@stuzman52]

Removing the bumper cover looks pretty close to the Jetta. Your Mom will really like the look of those new headlights! 😀👍

[@EXOVCDS]

Yes, I like how VW kept things similar between different models. Yeah... it was a nice surprise for her.

[@TheDisgruntledMechanic]

Love my Milwaukee Impact., And unlike Steve Rob I'll take battery over air anytime! I am sure your mom will be happy with the new lights!

[@EXOVCDS]

She was... although I would have rather bought the Milwaukee, this one is fine for what I'm gonna use it for. Taking wheels off... quicker teardown. Too much vibration through the arm when tightening bolts with the torque stick. The non adjustable power setting is a letdown (should have paid attention to that when I bought it). I had snap-on points so this was the first option that popped into my head. Yeah, mommy likes the lights! =) Hi to Helga for me!

[@TheDisgruntledMechanic]

@@EXOVCDS Well I never really seem to feel the vibration when using torque sticks. I am sure it there just never took notice.

[@type2523]

Yes the vibrations are very bad for your hand ( impact) it damage the Gelenke (forgot the name on English) and it causes arthritis (my dad had problems because he was driving his motorcycle a lot and the vibrations caused problems, the first thing the doctor asked was if he drives an bike , he vibrations of the steering column,generally vibrations are not good )

[@billrimmer5596]

Snap on is big bucks. I was surprised u didn’t go Milwaukee. U need the rather a lot more than I needed that 1/2 gun. Just what u need. A old geezer telling u what u do and don’t need. I hope Snap on was nice to u

[@EXOVCDS]

I had some unused points... so it wasn't a big hit in the wallet. Snap-on was convenient (tool truck) and I had points. I would have gone Milwaukee otherwise.

[@wyo906]

I put clear bra on 2002 when it was new, the lights still look like new. I was told that clear bra has a uv protection in it.

[@EXOVCDS]

Nice... thanks for the info! send me your mailing address and I'l send you some of my channel stickers.

[@Antto]

Isn’t that 3BG not 3B. Just wet sand the old headlights and put some ceramic coating on them! Cool video!

[@EXOVCDS]

Yes, 3BG... good catch!

[@nebunoaizer]

Hello Thomas. I am looking for a DIY for replacing/diagnose a HEADLIGHT WASHER PUMP for a Audi B5 model 2001. I donțt know where is located or if ițs the same with the windshield pump . Thanks

[@EXOVCDS]

Separate pump but in the same reservoir if I recall correctly.

[@type2523]

Looking great!

[@EXOVCDS]

Yes... much better! =)

[@Mtechthewise]

Nice improvement for your mom, when you do the polish route, the longevity of the work is only as good as what sealer you used ~ they oxidize quickly otherwise. New lenses is the best long term solution if you value your time, I remember with my now gone B5.5 the problems getting the lock carrier back into the right position after doing the Timing Belt, too low and the headlights would vibrate, too high and the gaps didn't look right. Did the accident on the right side move the lock carrier around?

[@EXOVCDS]

No... it was a gentle nudge, but enough to crack the light assembly and support under the bumper. Bumper alignment was still spot on. I'm not too concerned about the aesthetics of things... it's a 15 year old car and only needs to last another 10 or so.

[@Mtechthewise]

another 10 years of this one? I see lots of videos starring the wheat beige B5....

[@EXOVCDS]

@@Mtechthewise A few more videos... maybe. =)

[@SteveRobReviews]

Try spam it's a great headlight compound . I do like air impact much better . Milwaukee can go pound salt :)

[@EXOVCDS]

Honest reviews baby... honest reviews!!!!

[@SteveRobReviews]

Yes and I know snap on did send you a truck load of tools to review either so yes your doing an honest review . Now if snap on wants to send me a truck load of tools I will be as honest as you and all the others that are honest too. 👍

[@joachimjohan1215]

im really suprised you didnt buy the IR w7152 :O

[@EXOVCDS]

I was / am not aware of that one... just googled it. Not bad... definitely cheaper than the snap-on!

[@joachimjohan1215]

@@EXOVCDS I feel genuine sorry for you my friend . check out the tools in action channel and ALL their IR IQV cordless powertools reviews.. the IR w7152 kicks snap-on and EVERYBODYS asses 1.000.000% for real its the M-F@@@@@ best 1/2" (non stubby) impact!! Cheerz

[@type2523]

Vibrations are even worse for the nerves (asked my mum which is an physiotherapist ) so better avoid using this tool

[@EXOVCDS]

Too much money spent NOT to use it. =) I will use it to take wheels off.. and will use my air impact to put them back on. =)

[@type2523]

Thomas EXOVCDS did the shop buy it or did you buy it on your own

[@EXOVCDS]

I bought it... I wanted Milwaukee but ended up with this.

[@type2523]

Thomas EXOVCDS ohh, now you have to use it next time try if you can test em before buying,

[@type2523]

Thomas EXOVCDS it's pretty powerful

[@themechanic6117]

I've never ever liked removing bumpers on German cars, way too complicated.I hate the hidden bolts and Certain procedures. American and Asian cars are usually a walk in the park. Why do the germs have to over engineer everything!? Sorry I'm ranting. After watching this I think I'd rather try to restore them on the car 😂👍

[@EXOVCDS]

The front comes of quite nicely... most of the time.

[@zx8401ztv]

The new ones look amazing. The car designers dont make the job easy, overlapping bits.

[@EXOVCDS]

Things actually come apart nicely... stiff / brittle plastic pieces or stuck screws make the job a pain in the rear. Would have been nice though if the headlight assembly were removable without having to move the bumper.

[@w0lvez1]

You will get more views polishing the headlight instead of replacing it..

[@EXOVCDS]

Sad... isn't it?

[@w0lvez1]

@Thomas EXOVCDS Instead of throwing it why not make fun with it like disassembling it. A lot of people loves adding fancy led on their headlight. You can easily polish it like new using mothers mag and aluminum polishing compound. Don't wet sand it.

[@w0lvez1]

@Thomas EXOVCDS I think you need to add more artificial lighting to make the quality more better.

[@EXOVCDS]

Since one of the headlights / housing is broken, I did not keep the lights.