Technical Headlight casing bolts

[trueblue28]

Hi

New here, and don't know lots about cars, so forgive my lack of knowledge

Have Fiat Punto 2000 reg, was getting left dipped headlight replaced, bought bulb at halfords and got them to fit it as they have done before no problems and it is hard to get at so did not want to mess it up myself.

This time the halford employee removed the headlight casing to replace it, however when putting bolts back on he broke one (the bottom one towards centre of car) so half the bolt still in but casing not held in place by that bolt, other bolts seem to be holding it alright.

Just wondering is it easy to get broken bolt out? Bringing car for service to my mechanic next week so will they be able to do that and replace it for me? (Halfords person was rude and unhelpful when I asked about broken bolt)

Also what to you use and how to grease bolts so don't break in future?

Thanks a mill

 

[Ziggy122]

Go back - get them to replace the Bolt!!

DO NOT ACCEPT there poor work

As for getting a bolt out can be easy and can be hard

You can
A - Use an Easy out Kit
B - Drill it out and retap the hole
C - Smashing a screwdriver into it (not recommended)

Ziggy

Edit:

Grease, any will do for a Shortime Like Multi-purpse

But Copper Grease/ Copper anti seize paste are the cookies
I dont know if Lithium grease is the same wise, but its a good idea for Bolts that can have a little squit of grease to have them
Esp if they are hard to get out once

ziggy

 

[trueblue28]

Thanks, I asked him did they have bolt to replace it and he said no and was being generally unhelpful and grumpy

I don't think I'd be able to remove it myself, so I'll go up to Halfords tomorrow and have a word with the manager, if they can't do it they can compensate me in some way I hope.

Thanks for your quick and good advice

 

[Ziggy122]

Thanks, I asked him did they have bolt to replace it and he said no and was being generally unhelpful and grumpy

I don't think I'd be able to remove it myself, so I'll go up to Halfords tomorrow and have a word with the manager, if they can't do it they can compensate me in some way I hope.

Thanks for your quick and good advice

Yes go back - Demand the manager, and dont leave without anything

If they fail to sort it, contact a local Citizen bearuo (if there is such in the IRL)
And see what todo

But they broke - they should fix it!

Ziggy

 

[trueblue28]

Yes, we have similar I think, most shops are helpful and want to make you happy, just hoping the manager at Halfords is decent person! I have receipt and know who the guy is who broke it so hopefully it'll be ok.

Thanks, I'll let you know how I get on

 

[Ziggy122]

Yes, we have similar I think, most shops are helpful and want to make you happy, just hoping the manager at Halfords is decent person! I have receipt and know who the guy is who broke it so hopefully it'll be ok.

Thanks, I'll let you know how I get on

If its like most halfords they have an auto center on the side, it'll take them all of 15 to 30mins to probably remove and replace a stub

Ziggy

 

[trueblue28]

It is a big halfords but I don't think they have auto centre, they just do fittings of various things like lights, electronic devices etc.

If they can't do it there I will request they pay for it to be done and replaced elsewhere as bit concerned casing not completely secure.

 

[Ziggy122]

It is a big halfords but I don't think they have auto centre, they just do fittings of various things like lights, electronic devices etc.

If they can't do it there I will request they pay for it to be done and replaced elsewhere as bit concerned casing not completely secure.

If the top 2 bolts remain in, its secure
But 3 bolts is better then 2

And at the end of the day, why should you live with there shoddy work? they have an image and a name to keep
Halfrauds....

Ziggy

 

[colinf1]

Dont you also have to get the lights refocused when up remove them from the car?

He must have been using a brave bit of force or else cross threaded it. Definately go back and demand they fix it.

 

[jip0]

Dont you also have to get the lights refocused when up remove them from the car?

He must have been using a brave bit of force or else cross threaded it. Definately go back and demand they fix it.

i doubt he would of removed them from the car coz you have to take the bumper of which i cant imagine any halfords employee being able to do or allowed to do

i imagine he un did the bolts so he can slide the light forward a bit to get to the back

 

[Ziggy122]

you dont need to remove the headlight bolts tho to get the bulb in and out
Its the Fusebox that requires movement

Ziggy

 

[jip0]

you dont need to remove the headlight bolts tho to get the bulb in and out
Its the Fusebox that requires movement

Ziggy

i remove mine to do it

 

[Ziggy122]

i remove mine to do it

Many ways
Some remove bumpers
Some spend 10mins wiggling like me

Ziggy

 

[trueblue28]

Hi

Yeah he just moved it forward a bit, didn't take it right off.

Went up today, the manager was very nice and helpful and said the guy should have done a report or gone to get a manager. They have booked it in for later in week to remove broken bolt, they have to order new one. He was very apologetic and said he'd have a word with the employee who broke it, more because he didn't follow procedure!

Thanks for all the advice, very helpful.

Car due a service soon, so I'll get my mechanic to check the lights focus/alignment is correct.

 

[Ziggy122]

Good

It wont take them long to sort it really tho

Ziggy

 

[trueblue28]

yeah, i'll grab a coffee while they do it!

Another quick question, I was changing rear tail light, 2 of the 4 screws (after you remove light cluster from car) are wrecked and couldn't get them off.

I am betting halford guy wrecked them about a year ago when they changed them (I didn't know how to change them myself back then). I was able to change tail light as it's at top so could lift it enough to do that.

Anyway just wondering where you get replacement screws and what size, someone can remove them for me, so just need new non-halford-ised ones. It is mk2 2000reg, they have circular metal bit under screw head (if that makes sense).

Thanks

 

[colinf1]

there m3.5 x 15mm bolts, Philips head (cross head), just check a 5 door light that I have in the shed...

As for removing it, looking at the 5 door light, all the bolts seem hard to get to with pliers, is it totally mashed up? U could to cut a slot into it to remove it with a flat head screwdriver.

 

[trueblue28]

there m3.5 x 15mm bolts, Philips head (cross head), just check a 5 door light that I have in the shed...

As for removing it, looking at the 5 door light, all the bolts seem hard to get to with pliers, is it totally mashed up? U could to cut a slot into it to remove it with a flat head screwdriver.

Thanks for info, one is completely mashed up the other is not as bad but still couldn't get it off. Might try reverse or extractor bit on power screwdriver if can borrow one.

Can you buy those screws online anywhere or would hardware shop have them?

 

[Ziggy122]

options to get mashed screws out

1 - Get a Sharp Chiesel, and bash a new head into it
1a - Use a Dremel and cut a new Flat slot screw hole
1b - A Scrapable Screwdriver - use a hammer and Tap the head in with a hammer

2 - Drill the Head off, grab the stub remaining with plier and remove that way

3 - an Easy Out Kit, Consists of drilling a Hole and using a left handed thread/tap to release the Screw out

4 - Drill straight through the whole screw and then retap the hole if need be

Ziggy

 

[trueblue28]

Thanks, never letting halfords change my lights again

Was looking up those screws online but could not find them, any ideas where to get them?

Thanks a mill