lilgrinch Posted March 29, 2011 Share Posted March 29, 2011 How hard is it to replace the headlight on the 2010 Legacy? While I'm there should I look to upgrade? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jsmith Posted March 29, 2011 Share Posted March 29, 2011 If you have a headlight out, keep in mind its covered under the 3/36 warranty. It a project to replace the bulbs Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lilgrinch Posted March 29, 2011 Author Share Posted March 29, 2011 If you have a headlight out, keep in mind its covered under the 3/36 warranty. It a project to replace the bulbs I'm past 36,000 I have the H7 bulb. Can you take the headlight assembly out? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jsmith Posted March 29, 2011 Share Posted March 29, 2011 You can't take the headlight assembly out with removing the bumper. There is a bolt(maybe 2,its been a while since I did it) under the headlight, behind the bumper. Removing the bumper is not that difficult, just takes a little time. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
StringFellow Posted March 29, 2011 Share Posted March 29, 2011 You can't take the headlight assembly out with removing the bumper. There is a bolt(maybe 2,its been a while since I did it) under the headlight, behind the bumper. Removing the bumper is not that difficult, just takes a little time. You can replace the bulbs with out removing the bumper. Bulbs are consumer replaceable items. Now for the bulb assembly, that is a different story. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jsmith Posted March 29, 2011 Share Posted March 29, 2011 Subaru states you can changle the low beam by removing the fender lining and reaching in to change the bulb. I tried this and could not do it. If you can do it the recomended way, congrats, you may be the first on here. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
seiyafan Posted March 29, 2011 Share Posted March 29, 2011 Subaru states you can changle the low beam by removing the fender lining and reaching in to change the bulb. I tried this and could not do it. same here. I think I need to open up the fender lining more to allow my whole arm to go in. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lilgrinch Posted March 30, 2011 Author Share Posted March 30, 2011 I was able to replace the drivers side headlight by removing the battery first. then I was able to remove the plastic cap by turning it counter clockwisewith one hand and i had the other hand inside the fender to catch the cap. There is a metal tab which holds the light in the socket. The trick is getting the cap back on. I have a 13 yr old son w/ small hand that helped me out. You figure this should be easier than it is. It is a safety issue, Cops can ticket you for a headlight that is out. They shouldn't make it so tough to replace a headlight. I would feel like a idiot if I had to go to a repair shop to get a headlight replaced Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
10legacy Posted March 30, 2011 Share Posted March 30, 2011 My Mazda 6 was like this, you had to pull the wheel well liner and had just enough room to reach your arm up there and get the bulb, it was such a PITA. I was really hoping the subaru would be easier, sounds like the same situation though, I wonder how much the dealer is going to charge for this? I hope the bulbs never burn out because I really don't want to go through that again. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lilgrinch Posted March 30, 2011 Author Share Posted March 30, 2011 Looks like on the pass side, if you want to get at it from the top, you have to remove the air filter box Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
seiyafan Posted March 30, 2011 Share Posted March 30, 2011 I think the left side light would be much easier to change without the metal tab sitting against the back cover. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Captain Ned Posted March 30, 2011 Share Posted March 30, 2011 In another thread on headlights someone posted a couple of PDFs from the service manual. Instead of pulling the fender liner, you pull the bottom cover off the bumper in front of the wheels. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
seiyafan Posted March 30, 2011 Share Posted March 30, 2011 I did that too, and there was no way I could reach the bulb cover from the bottom, unless I am Mister Fantastic with a stretchable and curvy arms. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ellie_marie Posted January 1, 2013 Share Posted January 1, 2013 The passenger side is much easier than the driver's side. For the driver's side, we removed several of the plastic clips using pliers and screwdrivers, and then had to peel and hold back the finder liner. Then we had limited access to the light compartment. Then, after several tries, we were able to replace the bulb. On the passenger side, we removed the air filter box to gain access to the light compartment. This took significantly less time than the driver's side. Good luck. It's not easy. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rps13jp Posted January 3, 2013 Share Posted January 3, 2013 just did it its not too bad but its kinda a pain. turn on the car turn the wheel to the opposite the headlight your changing the bulb. remove enough of the plastic fasteners the keep the fender-lining attached to the bumper and on the drivers side i needed to take an extra on in the top of the lining in the middle squeeze your arm in between the lining to removed the watertight plastic cap off the head light - turn about an 8th of a turn counter clockwise pull the wire plug off the lamp there is a metal retaining spring the holds the bulb in place push it down and move up a little bit to release it. pull bulb out...pay attention to were the metal tab sticks out so you can place the new bulb in easier..i didnt and it took about 15 min of spinning it to get it placed in right just do the steps in reverse to put the bulb back in all in all took me about an hour and i didnt remove the air box. if you need the FSM look on mysubaru.com under maintenance its page 11-50. its the hardest headlight ive ever messed with but still was easy enough to tackle myself and enjoy it if you have any questions email rps13jp@gmail.com Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ruger357 Posted January 3, 2013 Share Posted January 3, 2013 I have done it both ways: though the wheel well and removing the bumper. Removing the bumper is far easier, once you get the hang of it. You have to remove about 18 (some on top, some under the car, 1 in each wheel well) plastic pop rivets. I ended up breaking a bunch because it was cold out, Autozone has a usable generic replacement. Once you remove the pop-its, grab the bumper at the wheel well and start to pull it away. The top of the bumper is secured by some clips that just pop apart. Removing the headlight with the bumper of is as simple as removing a few bolts. With the headlight out, super easy to change out the bulb. Reassemble in reverse. The first time, I had some issues getting the bumper aligned correctly and getting the plastic tabs to line up correctly. A little trial and error and I was all set. I have removed the bumper twice since then (2 headlights burned out before I just bought an HID kit). Once you do it once, its very easy. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Blizzard Posted January 3, 2013 Share Posted January 3, 2013 Easier to take the front fascia off. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jhill1 Posted January 14, 2013 Share Posted January 14, 2013 i just changed the drivers side low beam bulb today. followed the directions in the owners manual and read on here to see what you all thought. It took me roughly an hour too, and i admit i'm not a mechanic by any stretch. dealer wanted about $150 to do this. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ruger357 Posted January 15, 2013 Share Posted January 15, 2013 my dealer quoted me $40 to change both bulbs, parts and labor, with subaru bulbs, and a 1-year warranty on the job Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dlem898 Posted March 10, 2013 Share Posted March 10, 2013 The passenger side is much easier than the driver's side. For the driver's side, we removed several of the plastic clips using pliers and screwdrivers, and then had to peel and hold back the finder liner. Then we had limited access to the light compartment. Then, after several tries, we were able to replace the bulb. On the passenger side, we removed the air filter box to gain access to the light compartment. This took significantly less time than the driver's side. Good luck. It's not easy. Spent considerable time and sweat changing the driver side bulb (also snapping part of the wire harness). I took a look at the passenger side and it looked a bit complicated to remove the filter box. Can you provide any comment, advice or instruction on how best to do this? Accessing it via the wheel well or removing the bumper still did not appear to provide a clear access. I don't want to break another wire hareness. Thanks. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
subarurower Posted March 13, 2013 Share Posted March 13, 2013 Is there a reason why Subaru made it so difficult to change a light bulb in the headlight? I would hate to think that they did it to just to force owners to go to Subaru Service and pay a high sum for what used to be a 2 minute do it yourself job that only involved the cost of the bulb. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
michelino1968 Posted March 13, 2013 Share Posted March 13, 2013 I have stock HID's so hopefully will never have to do this...but while changing HiBeams I also checked on LoBeam exchange - my 2 cents: passeger side: easiest way is to remove the air duct (2 pop-its) driver side: remove the battery (2 screws) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rps13jp Posted March 13, 2013 Share Posted March 13, 2013 Is there a reason why Subaru made it so difficult to change a light bulb in the headlight? I would hate to think that they did it to just to force owners to go to Subaru Service and pay a high sum for what used to be a 2 minute do it yourself job that only involved the cost of the bulb. Its not so outlandishly hard that you cant do it yourself. It is a pain, but i got it done by looking at the FSM and just following that in like an hour. I think what comes into play is how much time your willing to put in to not spend money. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hmmrdwn Posted December 19, 2013 Share Posted December 19, 2013 This infomercial makes it look easy, but those dang wire clips can be a pain when you can't see what you are doing. Totally possible though. http://www.carcarekiosk.com/video/2011_Subaru_Legacy_2.5i_Premium_2.5L_4_Cyl./lights/headlight Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TwoTone Posted December 20, 2013 Share Posted December 20, 2013 Is there a reason why Subaru made it so difficult to change a light bulb in the headlight? I would hate to think that they did it to just to force owners to go to Subaru Service and pay a high sum for what used to be a 2 minute do it yourself job that only involved the cost of the bulb. Could be worse. I can't remember the car, but I do remember very well that I had to take an engine mount off to change the belt. I still remember the SA not believing me until he came out and looked. As I posted on here in another headlight thread, if you just listen to the advice on here and don't think you're some genius that will be able to do it faster another way- it's very easy- Take off the front bumper Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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