Changing bulbs on a 2008 Lucerne

[shadams]

For the love.......

I took off the front bumper on my GTO in about 3 minutes. 8 screws and it slid off. I havent done a Lucerne but I am sure its not the end of the world. This thread started out a molehill and is now friggin Mt Everest.

I guess I shouldnt have said "Nightmare", I was just exaggerating a little, as most other headlights just pop out.

If you decide to go for it, just take you time, and it would be worth it to get smoe masking tape and cover the corners and edges so they dont get damaged. Good luck!

[rbarrios]

well, ill show my sis those diagrams. and well see what she says.
As for the trailblazer... that 1st time was hard- since I never thought it would require the removel of the grille.
but once you remove it the 1st time- subsequent times now take me literally about 30 seconds to pop it off. stay tuned....

[rbarrios]

ohh man. theres 3 more steps BEFORE you remove the bumper fascia....
this is going to be fun =(

Preliminary Procedures


• Remove front compartment sight shield. Refer to Front Compartment Sight Shields Replacement .
• Remove the front retainers from the wheelhouse liner. Refer to Front Wheelhouse Liner Replacement .
• Remove the front air deflector. Refer to Front Air Deflector Replacement

[Neanderthal]

Originally Posted by impala02

This has been going on forever. Look at a car from the 50's and look at a car today. Most diagnostics and repairs can't be made today without specialized tools and computer equipment. Back then, a couple of screwdrivers and wrenches, and you could handle almost any repair job.

Rbarrios - That diagram doesn't make the job look too difficult. I say go for it!

How much better are those Sylvania bulbs over OEM. I have contemplated doing this on my Impala for some time.

The Sylvania bulbs are noticeably superior. I did the switch on my 04 Impala, that was before the Ultras came out and you could easily see the difference.

Your 02 Impala headlights pop out after removal of two sliding lock tabs. Might take ten minutes for the pair, including popping the hood, drinking a Diet Coke, and scratching a couple of times.

[rbarrios]

So I tackle the job. Using the schematics I remove the black part of the bumper that always scrapes on driveways. I then remove alot of other clips. I proceed to the wheel wells- this will allow me to loosen bolts that attach bumper to car.
Under the car- there is also a large plastic cover- I guess its to keep proper airflow and certain amounts of water splashing into engine compartment to a minimum.
Now I slide under the front end to look at the bolts holding the bumper when I see a gloroius sight....... the low beam blubs- straight above me. similar for the other side.....

I was able to unclip the connector to it, turn it and remove. the Silverstar bulb I had to carefully raise up my hand- attempt to guide it into the hole- and turn it. I tried to avoid touching any part of the glass with anything. I did this with both sides. My small arms/hands were ideal for this.
Then came the high beams. these I did by looking from underneath and also accessing them from the top of the car- my small hands were also ideal for this.
I think next time I change the bulbs and knowing what stuff to unclip/remove. this may be a 30 min job. here are the results.
Before- with factory bulbs.

after-

before-

after-


for these pics- the before was taken after sunset- little sunlight left.
but look at the plate- the white is a bit yellow.
then look at the after pics(it was a bit darker out) but look at the plate again. the white looks much better.
the car is parked in front of a gate- so light is bouncing off the gate.

[Hitman1970]

All of this is reminding me what torture it was to replace the fog light that burned out in my 2001 Elantra GT. The headlights were quite easy though.

[shadams]

Originally Posted by rbarrios

So I tackle the job..... here are the results...

Sweet, good job. I cant see the pics at work so I'll check it out when I get home. I have had the Silverstars in all my cars so I am sure the Ultra's are even better. Right now in the GTO I have some sort of cheepie Ebay lights, as Silverstar doesnt have H9 bulbs, but they work and look cool so I guess Ill keep them.

[GMCSonoma]

Nice lights...I never had luck with Silverstars on my bonneville, as they'd last a month before burning out....maybe I should try them again...

Neat license frames too...California car dealers have great dealer frames...one thing I should have tried to snag when I was in San Diego again last month...

[rbarrios]

on my 03 Trailblazer- the regular Silverstars only laster 6-8 months before they burn out.
Though remember- that my low beams are also DRL's. so the bulbs are on whenever the car is running.
I then upgraded to the Silverstar ULTRAS, and they last over a year.
so theyve improved.
I did install ULTRAS on the Lucerne.

[Polarzak]

I HATE my Lucerne even more now. I have to remove the bumper to change a front bulb????? After driving Buicks for 25 years, and loving them, the Lucerne is a monstrosity and thanks to the warranty, I would be dead broke.
PLEASE...if you want a good life, if you want your sanity, and if you want dollars in your pocket after the warranty is up, STAY AWAY from the Lucerne.
My dealer has a dedicted service bay for my car, it lives there so much.:conf used:

[rbarrios]

The good news is that after 1 yr and a month-- the Silverstars in the Lucerne---- have not burned out yet. COOOL.
The car has not had any type of problem.

[Polarzak]

Originally Posted by rbarrios

Now I slide under the front end to look at the bolts holding the bumper when I see a gloroius sight....... the low beam blubs- straight above me. similar for the other side.....

I followed your directions, and mine must be different than yours. There is a steel plate under my low beams, so looking up, all I can see is the bottom of of that steel plate. Perhaps the 08 is different than the 06.