[LukeSmith1994]

Does anybody on here who has actually removed the headlight assembly from a 2011+ touareg able to tell me how to do it?

There's no information on this anywhere online I'm actually going to phone my dealer and ask if nobody knows because there's lots of people out there asking but nobody knows how.

 

[tlapin]

I can do it quite easily with my 04, bu I know that doesn't help you much. Do you have the long skinny hex headlight removal tool in your trunk kit? That woudl provide a clue.

 

[tlapin]

there'sw plenty on line here to help I think.

 

[Gnits]

Does anybody on here who has actually removed the headlight assembly from a 2011+ touareg able to tell me how to do it?

There's no information on this anywhere online I'm actually going to phone my dealer and ask if nobody knows because there's lots of people out there asking but nobody knows how.

LMGTFY

 

[LukeSmith1994]

LMGTFY

I hate to say it but that search result is pretty useless. It just says you need to remove the front bumper cover (no instruction or diagram just a ref, and its probably the hardest thing to do out of the whole process) then remove three screws.

 

[Gnits]

That's an excerpt from the original VW repair manual. It's just so much in it under "Removing and installing headlight". Obviously removing the bumper is a topic on its own right, which has its own instructions.

Maybe you should get all the VW repair manuals at https://erwin.volkswagen.de/

 

[noobytoogy]

On the T1 you had to remove the front bumper to replace the "bucket" in which the slide out headlight unit sat if you broke [and wanted to replace] the release gear on the bucket.

The gear breakage was very common by the way!

There were about 2 dozen fixings [with one or two hidden but accessible] and it was a two man job because of the bulk of the bumper.

My tip was always to have big old duvet or similar laid out on the ground before you started on which to "land" the bumper so you didn't damage the paintwork

It takes about fifteen minutes.

I think the same still applies to the T3 and 4 if you want to access the lower fixings for the headlight units.

 

[LukeSmith1994]

I spoke to my girlfriends brother who is a mechanic for volkswagen in the UK. He sent me instructions from the service manual for the car on how to remove the headlights. On a T3 Touareg.

The front grill and bumper has to be removed.

To remove the bumper follow these steps. All bolts are T25.

1) Remove the grill, 4 bolts and easily comes out
2) Remove the headlight adjusters (EU cars only) 2 bolts from the arch
3) Remove trim in wheel arch on both side of vehicle there is 1 bolt underneath, only remove as much as you need to gain access
4) Undo 10 bolts underneath the car
5) Before unclipping the bumper you should have removed 16 bolts, 18 if EU vehicle if you haven't check again.
6) 2 people needed, unclip the bumper from both sides and pull forward not too hard the bumper will then pull away fairly easily do not force it or you risk cracking it
7) Undo electrical connection on the bumper then put to one side on a towel or sheet
8) undo 1 bolt on the top of the head light 2 underneath (which you could not access due to the bumper being there)
9) One electrical connection for the headlight
10) Pull out towards the front of the car (do not pull not upward)

Sorry I cannot disclose the instruction photos he asked me not to share them because he's technically not supposed to be giving them out.

Ill be attempting this probably next weekend when I get the headlights I've ordered then I will post some photos if not a video

 

[noobytoogy]

Well done!

 

[dantheman]

I just finished replacing the driver side headlight. I did not have to take off the bumper, but I just loosened it on the left side.
I took off the grille, all the upper bumper screws and the 2 bolts from the arch.
After that, gently pull on the bumper and it will clip off on that side.
The you can easily access the 2 screws situated on the bottom of the headlight.
It was harder to remove the wire-harness than anything else
I prepared myself for a 2 hour job (the dealer quote), but it ended up being a 45min process.

 

[New2Tregs]

There was a user on here who posted in a thread that when he did his he left the most inner bottom screws out when he reinstalled the headlamp housings. He said he could get to the bottom outer screw through the headlamp washer cover, in the U.S. we don't have the washers just a cover, and then remove the top screw and the housing comes out. No need to remove the grill or any bumper screws the next time. He said he didn't notice any shifting of the housing without the 3rd screw.

Just food for thought.
Also did you only replace the drivers bulb or both as a matched pair?


.

 

[chewblekka]

Here's the front bumper removal guide.

Here's the headlight housing removal guide.

 

[dantheman]

You can access the outer lower screw of the headlight through the bumper if you remove the little cover(US version) and you use an extension. The screw from the middle can also be accessed with just the grille removed if you can squeeze your hands between the bumper and the headlight. I've tried, but there wasn't enough room for my tool/hands. Aside from the 2 lower screws, there was the third one on top. After that, the headlight assembly came out pretty easily with a bit of jiggling. My headlight was cracked so water/condensation got in. I replaced the whole unit: (175$ on ebay in great condition except for one broken tab). I did not remove any bulbs. I just can't stand the idea throwing away something that works. If one goes out I buy two and keep an eye on the second one.

 

[Mohammed A-Naaj]

Here's the front bumper removal guide.

Here's the headlight housing removal guide.

That's great an official guide from VW

Can you share all the guides you have here?

 

[Odessa]

hammer ... and maybe crowbar

Does anybody on here who has actually removed the headlight assembly from a 2011+ touareg able to tell me how to do it?

There's no information on this anywhere online I'm actually going to phone my dealer and ask if nobody knows because there's lots of people out there asking but nobody knows how.

 

[New2Tregs]

hammer ... and maybe crowbar

I'm really digging hard to try and figure out how this comment helps in any way, shape, or form...


.

 

[noobytoogy]

hammer ... and maybe crowbar

Indeed!


As ever VW have made what should be a simple job way too hard so that most owners will not only have the inconvenience of taking the car back to the dealer but they will also be paying silly money for something they should have been able to do for themselves.

 

[Odessa]

yep ... bloody hammer... if not used to eliminate the issue to at least relieve over frustration ..... I do though sympathize as i to have an issue with my treg with fumes entering the cabin and my bloody hammer doesnt work on gases

 

[TEZZA007]

would you have available the VW front bumper removal instructions for a 2014 Rline (V8) model? many thanks

 

[rgh0]

Have you download the Erwin manual instructions ? its all detailed in their. Sign up to the German site not the US one and get familiar for how it works. You can put in your Vin and it will give you every file needed for your car once you pay for an hours membership and you can print to PDF to save all the files.