I had to replace the headlights last night. That was not fun.
I remember that Gina's headlight replacement was fairly quick and simple. Sort of just a reach in behind the lamp housing, twist and pull it out. This is not the case on the Corolla.
I had to remove the grill. Then remove the parking lights (which I also replaced as they burned out). Then I had to remove several screws and use a socket wrench to undo some bolts that hold the actual headlight housing in place. Pull out the housing, then twist and pull out the burned out lamp.
Insane right?
I don't think I ever commented on how arduous the task was for the speaker guy at Best Buy to replace the rear speakers in my car. I had figured that maybe you had to unscrew something in the trunk (since I can see part of the speaker housing from there) and then you pop-up a piece in the rear window.
Nope. Not at all.
He had to remove the backseat. He HAD to REMOVE the backseat. Yes, REMOVE the backseat.
Then he could get to the piece that holds the speakers, remove that and replace them.
Now, don't get me wrong. I love my car and am still a huge fan of Toyota. But this might recurring theme on how hard it is to remove and replace pieces might be a key element in why Toyota cars & trucks tend to last a bit longer.
If the headlamps are better secured to the car than the
nuclear football is to the man carrying it then a Toyota engine is probably like fort fscking knox.
Anyway, I replaced the lights and put back all the screws and nuts for the bolts and stuff. Fun Fun.
While I was in there I did notice the amount of actual damage that my car accident had, it wasn't just my bumper that got banged up. There is a reinforcement bar (presumably part of the overall frame) is a little bent. Interestingly enough, the headlight housings are secured to this bar as is part of the grill.
One of the snaps for the headlight housing is busted. I am not worried about it, the thing has been working just fine for the last 8-9 years. However, it might explain a little bit more about why my car is so noisy.
Oh well, lunch is over. Back to the grind.
Laterz.
