1997 Toyota Camry Driver Side Headlight Assembly DIY Solutions LHT01500

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In this video we're going to show you how to change out the headlights in this Toyota Camry. This is a 1998, but the procedure is the same for 1997 to 99. You'll need new headlights from 1AAuto.com, 10 millimeter socket with a ratchet and extension, Philips and flathead screwdrivers, and jack and jack stands.

Remove the two 10 millimeter bolts at the top of the bumper cover. There's also a plastic Phillips head retainer that belongs here. Our vehicle is missing it. Just use a number 2 Philips screwdriver to back it out. Pull the clip out of the grill. Using a 10 millimeter socket and ratchet, remove the two bolts from the top of your bumper cover.

We're going to bring the vehicle up on a lift to make it easier to show you what we're doing, but this bumper can easily be removed at home on a jack and jack stands. Remove the six 10 millimeter bolts at the bottom of the bumper cover. Ours is missing one here, and last one at the end. Using a 10 millimeter socket and ratchet, remove your lower bumper bolts. Underneath the bumper we have the Phillips head plastic retainer. Another one should be here. Remove both, if you have them, by unscrewing it with a number 2 Phillips screwdriver, popping the clip out of the hole. This retainer works by being clamped into the hole. As you send this screw in, the screw wedges the retainer part at the end, and makes it wider. This part anchors into the inside of the hole.

Remove the inner fender liner to access the 10 millimeter bolt for the bumper. Repeat this step on the opposite side. When removing the last bolt be sure to keep a hand on the bumper cover to keep it from falling off. Pop out the retainers on the sides of the bumper. Pull the bumper straight out.

Remove the plastic retainer clip for the turn signal and the two 10 millimeter bolts on the top of the headlight housing. Using a flat blade screwdriver pry up on the center of the retaining clip and pull it out. Using the 10 millimeter socket and ratchet remove the two 10 millimeter bolts on the top of the headlight housing. Remove the 10 millimeter bolt on the bottom of the headlight housing. Carefully pull the headlight and turn signal housings off of the front of the car. Pull out the connector for the headlight bulb. Turn the turn signal a quarter turn counterclockwise. Remove the whole assembly from the housing.

To remove the turn signal housing from the headlight housing use a small flat blade screwdriver. Push in on this tab. You may have to come at it from this angle. Insert the screwdriver. Pop it out.

We have our old part from the vehicle, and the new part from 1A Auto. As you can see we have the same mounting locations. The forward mounting location is actually an adjuster to allow the headlight to be positioned or aimed left and right, and up and down. This was broken off of our old part. We have the same lower mounting bolt hole and the same clip to allow our turn signal assembly to snap into place. Our new headlight housing is a nice clear lens with all the proper bracketry. It's going to go in just like our original piece, a direct fit, and give you a better view of the road and fix you up right.

Reconnect the bulb in your new headlight housing. Install the adjuster into the square hole. Install the upper adjuster into its hole. It snaps into place. Install the 10 millimeter bolt in the bottom bracket of the headlight housing by hand. Tighten it up with a 10 millimeter socket and ratchet. Install the bulb socket back into the turn signal housing. Turn it counterclockwise to lock it into place. Line up the tab into the slot in the back of the headlight housing. Snap it into place.

Install the black retainer clip into your turn signal housing. Reinstall the 2 10 millimeter bolts in the top of the headlight housing. Start them by hand and then we'll tighten them down with a 10 millimeter socket and ratchet. With the new housing installed, turn your key on and ensure that your high beams, low beams, turn signals, and parking lights are all still functional.

Reinstall the bumper over your support. Tap the edges in at the fenders. Begin reinstalling your hardware. Reinstall the hardware with a 10 millimeter bolt with a socket and ratchet on the top corners of your bumper cover. If you have the plastic clip for the center pop it in there.

These little plastic tabs are what hold the screws to the inner wheel well to attach to the bottom of the bumper. Before you install your hardware you want to make sure that they're all interlocked. Install the plastic clip back into the hole in the bumper. Tighten it down with a number 2 Phillips head screwdriver. Repeat this step on the other side if you have the clip that we're missing. Reinstall the 10 millimeter screw on the end of the bumper. Snap your fender liner back into place. Repeat these steps on the opposite side. Lower the vehicle.

Thanks for tuning in. We hope this video helps you out. Brought to you by www.1AAuto.com, your source for quality replacement parts and the best service on the Internet. Please feel free to call us toll-free, 888-844-3393. We're the company that's here for you on the Internet and in person.