Why cant I get the Headlight to come out of 2013 Ram 1500 ?

bcraig · Apr 21, 2024

I have been trying to get the Headlight out of my 2013 Ram 1500 and cannot get it out.
I have the top and bottom bolts out and the Headlight retainer clip pushed up from the inside of the fenderwell I have tried using this guys method to get the headlight out but so far have not had any sucess,I started to just apply more pressure but I do not want want to do any damage ."

How to change your headlight on a Dodge Ram 1500 2009-2021 without removing your grill.

#headlights #ramtrucks #ecodieselTime for some other routine maintenance on the other vehicles. In this one I show you how to change your headlight on a ram ...

www.youtube.com

Suggestions would be highly appreciated to say the least !

18CrewDually · Apr 21, 2024

I always remove the grill. And never use a prying tool. That video is horrible advice and is crude.

Badger 13 · Apr 21, 2024

I agree with 18CrewDually, remove the grille...

Treburkulosis · Apr 21, 2024

Remove the grill and pull the tabs in the front wheel wails. It take 10 minutes to yank them out. They are actually some of the easiest headlights I have ever removed.

rjwin · Apr 21, 2024

I'm thinking you had to have the grill out to get to the 2 screws that hold the assembly in. If you are sure the retaining clip is all the way up, then it should come out. It will be a bit stiff as the assembly mounts on 2 posts. I use a nylon pry tool very gently at the back only to loosen it up just enough to get my fingers behind it.

mrack · Apr 21, 2024

There’s a ball and socket towards the back of the light you have to pop loose to get the light out, first time removing them it will be quite stiff. So if you’ve removed everything else correctly you do just need to pull harder. Definitely remove the grill if you haven’t already.

Hemi832 · Apr 21, 2024

There is a access panel in the front wheel well. Reach in a pull the tab down and if the bolts on top are all out the light assembly should just pull forward. If you have a ratchet extension long enough you don't have to remove the grill to get that bottom bolt.

Removing the Headlights and Grille on your RAM 1500 2500 3500 - DIY HOW TO

In this video we show how to remove the front grille assembly and headlights in order to change the bulbs on your 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2017 201...

youtu.be

bcraig · Apr 21, 2024

rjwin said:
I'm thinking you had to have the grill out to get to the 2 screws that hold the assembly in. If you are sure the retaining clip is all the way up, then it should come out. It will be a bit stiff as the assembly mounts on 2 posts. I use a nylon pry tool very gently at the back only to loosen it up just enough to get my fingers behind it.

No ,the top bolt can be taken out easily from top with an 10mm wrench and the bottom bolt can be loosened with a 3/8 ratchet and an extension.

I used a 10 inch extension and a 3 inch extension and a 10mm socket to loosen the bottom bolt.

I then opened the access door inside the wheel well and reached inside and then PUSHED UP on the white headlight retention tab.

supposedly everything is done to allow the headlight to be removed and I can grab the end of the headlight that is closest to the grill and move it up and down but the end of the headlight closest to the fender well is too tight for me to get my fingers under and pull out.

I am almost sure that the headlight has never been removed and that the the ‘pin that is on the back of the headlight that has a round head and snaps into the female part of the truck behind the headlight ‘ is stuck not allowing the headlight to be pulled out.

Maybe I can reach in the access door
Inside of the wheel well and push out to help it dislodge from the hole it is pressed into but I don’t know where to apply the outward pressure to on the back of the headlight to prevent damage to the back of the headlight.

Any suggestions concerning where on the back of the headlight to apply outward pressure so I can then get my fingers under the headlight and then pull it out ???

Mb7640 · Apr 21, 2024

Are you sure you dont have a bolt in the back of the headlight assembly mine is newer but besides the clip in the wheel well there is another bolt also hope this helps

G-Ride990 · Apr 21, 2024

Seems like you are doing everything right. Might have to give it a bit of a yank I guess?

Here's a decent video if you are interested.

How to Replace Headlights 11-17 Ram 1500

Buy Now!New Headlight Set from 1AAuto.com http://1aau.to/ia/1ALHP012641A Auto shows you how to repair, install, fix, change or replace the broken, damaged, c...

www.youtube.com

Edit, just watched the video you posted. Sorry missed that. Same thing here.

bcraig · Apr 21, 2024

Hemi832 said:
There is a access panel in the front wheel well. Reach in a pull the tab down and if the bolts on top are all out the light assembly should just pull forward. If you have a ratchet extension long enough you don't have to remove the grill to get that bottom bolt.

Removing the Headlights and Grille on your RAM 1500 2500 3500 - DIY HOW TO

In this video we show how to remove the front grille assembly and headlights in order to change the bulbs on your 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2017 201...

youtu.be

I think from watching videos that the tab PUSHES up to remove the headlight and PULLS DOWN to capture the headlight when putting it back in.

I used the method that you remove only one bolt on top then I used a 10 inch extension and a 3 inch extension to loosen the bottom bolt.

I could be wrong but it seems to me that whether the grill is removed or the top bolt is removed and the bottom bolt is loosened with a ratchet and extension that the end result should be the same and the issue is that the ‘pin on the back of the headlight with the ball head that pushes into the hole that retains it is hesitant to release the ball ‘most likely because of age ‘as the part of the assembly closest to the radiator is loose and able to move up and down slightly and be pulled out slightly.
The part of the headlight closest to the wheel well I cannot get my fingers on or under to apply an outward pull to is the problem.
I can reach in the access door inside the wheel well and press outward and see the headlight trying to move outward but do not know what I am pressing against and do not know how much pressure to apply.

wiggy999 · Apr 21, 2024

I had to loosen the bolts holding the grill in place, Next time I fully removed it.

18CrewDually · Apr 21, 2024

The bottom bolt for the headlight has to come out. It is tricky because it is also an adjuster. If you take the grill off like you are suppose to, and has been recommended in previous post, you will be able to hold the adjusting nut so the bolt can come out.
Taking shortcuts like not removing the grill is how guys waste more time struggling trying to save 2 minutes.
Remove the grill already.

mrack · Apr 21, 2024

You need to remove the grill to have room to grab the light better, it’s just 4 screws and some clips takes 60 seconds. Then pull the front edge of the housing out and away from the truck. It feels like your breaking something but that’s exactly what your trying to do, break it loose lol. Been there done that many times. Don’t be afraid of breaking it.

04fxdwgi · Apr 22, 2024

Do yourself a favor, too. Go to Amazon and buy some Grill Retainer Clips ( you will probably break 1 or 2).
Bag of 8 for like six bux.

https://www.amazon.com/GoaMotors-Grille-Moulding-68213168AA-2013-2020/dp/B0CK21NXT3/ref=sr_1_3?crid=XO5H8AIAD59F&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.yUSwdvSARNqJoxCpKyGCtEV1Bk0cC55pVz9hcbx1YJHk6SznIOLarvjGdfKG52QSRvJPtnDhm6uCKbFRfirCMoiWcd0o-O0Eb375GyujCDQdrRUttse3O9pPNtuY_fXJEUOanY9v8AYJeUFnHhpvGD7NGBtrfVlA_AwoZ4jLbh1r201tYdIkLkV8Y_SAXbLImASqPQvNXc8hLT3ggcFOAOSM3BZyq_h3ZahiRuzaRWM.mdvHLZqtiKn_QCxP00uwNtF11SfeFDaw3lEJ6nc_2d8&dib_tag=se&keywords=ram+1500+grill+clips&qid=1713776076&sprefix=ram+1500+grill+clips%2Caps%2C88&sr=8-3

Ken226 · Apr 22, 2024

04fxdwgi said:
Do yourself a favor, too. Go to Amazon and buy some Grill Retainer Clips ( you will probably break 1 or 2).
Bag of 8 for like six bux.

https://www.amazon.com/GoaMotors-Grille-Moulding-68213168AA-2013-2020/dp/B0CK21NXT3/ref=sr_1_3?crid=XO5H8AIAD59F&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.yUSwdvSARNqJoxCpKyGCtEV1Bk0cC55pVz9hcbx1YJHk6SznIOLarvjGdfKG52QSRvJPtnDhm6uCKbFRfirCMoiWcd0o-O0Eb375GyujCDQdrRUttse3O9pPNtuY_fXJEUOanY9v8AYJeUFnHhpvGD7NGBtrfVlA_AwoZ4jLbh1r201tYdIkLkV8Y_SAXbLImASqPQvNXc8hLT3ggcFOAOSM3BZyq_h3ZahiRuzaRWM.mdvHLZqtiKn_QCxP00uwNtF11SfeFDaw3lEJ6nc_2d8&dib_tag=se&keywords=ram+1500+grill+clips&qid=1713776076&sprefix=ram+1500+grill+clips%2Caps%2C88&sr=8-3

I bought those 2 weeks ago when I sanded and buffed the fade oxidation from my headlights.

While they did work fine, I had to use a file and take a little material off the underside of the retaining wings before they would snap in place. It was close. Took about 4 strokes on each tab with a small file.

Janelle · Apr 22, 2024

bcraig said:
I have been trying to get the Headlight out of my 2013 Ram 1500 and cannot get it out.
I have the top and bottom bolts out and the Headlight retainer clip pushed up from the inside of the fenderwell I have tried using this guys method to get the headlight out but so far have not had any sucess,I started to just apply more pressure but I do not want want to do any damage ."

How to change your headlight on a Dodge Ram 1500 2009-2021 without removing your grill.

#headlights #ramtrucks #ecodieselTime for some other routine maintenance on the other vehicles. In this one I show you how to change your headlight on a ram ...

www.youtube.com

Suggestions would be highly appreciated to say the least !

Janelle · Apr 22, 2024

Check out YouTube really easy! Btw: I never pull the grill! I have a 10mm magnet socket with a long extension to get the bottom bolt!

duckman631 · Apr 22, 2024

Remove the grill

rvance · Apr 22, 2024

I've taken mine out of my 17 without removing the grill. It was a female dog though. I have a grill guard now, so forget about it.

Why cant I get the Headlight to come out of 2013 Ram 1500 ?

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