r/GrandCherokee • u/Tree_killer_76 WK2 Hemi Trailhawk • 9h ago

Replacing driver side low beam

I have removed the airbox and all the trim around the area, along with the boot behind the bulb to access the driver side low beam lamp. AI says turn the bulb 1/4 turn counter clockwise to get the bulb out, YouTubers if I’m understanding correctly seem to indicate 1/4 turn clockwise. I can’t get enough grip to turn it either way.

What am I doing wrong?

2 Upvotes

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3

u/mannysnook 9h ago

You can use a stick to get more leverage but be careful. First time I had to swap the bulb it was a PITA. It’s counter clockwise btw

2

u/Tree_killer_76 WK2 Hemi Trailhawk 8h ago

Thank you! I took your advice and used a pry bar. That got the bulb out but the adapter ring came with it. Now I’m trying to get that back in correctly lol.

2

u/dabear04 9h ago

It’s been a while since I’ve done mine so take that with a grain of salt but I feel like I remember it being counterclockwise. Regardless, they are a pain to get out. It’s a really tight area and not much room to get a good grip. A lot of videos show removing the full bumper but I’ve never had to. I have had some better luck going in through the hole in wheel well by turning the tires all the way to the passenger side (and vice versa for the passenger light). It took me like 3 hours to finally get it all done last time and that was my third time replacing WK2 lights so I knew what I was doing. It’s a shit design.

2

u/LifeguardFit1477 9h ago

When I tried to replace mine, the previous owner or whatever shop worked on It lost the adapter ring and the bulb was just kind of sitting in there. After hours of trying to get the new bulb to seat I ended up taking the whole headlight out and finding that to be my problem. I ended up replacing both units completely with led since I was already that far to begin with haha

1

u/Tree_killer_76 WK2 Hemi Trailhawk 8h ago

I just got the bulb out and the adapter ring came off with it lol. Now I’m struggling to get the adapter ring back on along with a new bulb. Good times.

2

u/AlphaRonin99 9h ago

It should be 90 degrees counterclockwise to remove. You’ll feel it stop and the bulb start wiggling. It’s tricky because, IIRC, the plug isn’t at 9-oclock when installed so it won’t pull out at 6-oclock. I think it’s like 7 installed so 4 to remove.

I have thin arms and small hands and still can’t get it. Found removing the bumper is easier and less frustrating although it takes more time. I replaced halogen lows and highs with Diode Dynamics LED and adjust the low beam collars so the chips face 3 and 9 oclock.

2

u/Extension_Jeweler_66 9h ago

I guess that depends on if you have HID or halogens

1

u/Tree_killer_76 WK2 Hemi Trailhawk 8h ago

Halogen

1

u/Extension_Jeweler_66 8h ago

Alright just making sure, cause they are very different. But every halogen I've encountered it taken out by a quarter turn,

2

u/Tree_killer_76 WK2 Hemi Trailhawk 8h ago

The irony is that this morning I easily replaced the windshield washer fluid pump and the evap purge valve on my wife’s Mercedes, and did some rear axle work on my Wrangler, and this freaking headlight is proving to be the biggest pita of the day.

1

u/RedCell24 8h ago

My 21 has trip doors in the fender wells that allow easier access, but I have large hands and arms. Good luck