removing 280z headlight case

[cycloid]

Hello

I need to remove both of the headlight cases on my Z. Can someone please explain how to remove them? I dont want to go all crazy and start unbolting and unscrewing things that do not need to be messed with.

Thanks!!!

[SteveJ]

Are you talking about the headlights themselves or the sugar scoops?

[Stevie P]

I could do with knowing how to remove a sugar scoop without removing the fender also!

Any advice?

Steve

[SteveJ]

Just to remove the headlight, you either need to take off the front tire or turn the wheel all the way out (or is it in?). I take off the front tire myself. From there, you can remove the nuts that hold on the headlight. Use liberal amounts of penetrating oil since that area was exposed to the elements for about 40 years. You can and WILL snap off the studs if you don't. I can't remember for sure what else you need to do besides loosen the screws in front to take off the ring that holds the bulb inside the shell. It's not that complicated, though.

You'll probably need new headlight gaskets, too. Order them already from either Black Dragon Auto or MSA. I don't know if there is a good parts supplier in the UK.

Someone else would have to tell you about the sugar scoops.

[jfa.series1]

If the 280 cases are mounted the same as the 240, you should see four phillips head screws at the four "corners" of the case backside. These are all you need to remove to get the complete case to fall back into the fender area. As mentioned above, it is easiest if you remove the wheel to get easy access to everything. If you see small nuts on posts, don't touch - those are the posts that secure the headlight bucket to the fender, probably three of them. Re-install tip: push the four screws through the rubber gasket before moving the case back into place. Wiggle each screw to locate the captive nut and finger start the screw. Good luck.

Jim

[zKars]

Great advice jfa!

Those phillips headed bolts are no treat to remove the if they haven't been out for a while. Vise grips may be necessary. Replace them with hex head bolts for next time (5 x 0.8mm 15-20 mm long bolts)

I've even gone as far as replacing the top two bolts with studs (cut head off of two 5x0.8mm bolts) so its easy to hang the assembly on them to help get the lower two bolts aligned. Something about a dark awkward space and old eyes.... Says alot about how often I take my car apart too... Or the quality of the H4 bulbs I buy... Always seem to be changing them in Hotel parking lots on long trips....

[SteveJ]

If the 280 cases are mounted the same as the 240, you should see four phillips head screws at the four "corners" of the case backside. These are all you need to remove to get the complete case to fall back into the fender area. As mentioned above, it is easiest if you remove the wheel to get easy access to everything. If you see small nuts on posts, don't touch - those are the posts that secure the headlight bucket to the fender, probably three of them. Re-install tip: push the four screws through the rubber gasket before moving the case back into place. Wiggle each screw to locate the captive nut and finger start the screw. Good luck.

Jim

That's what I get for working from memory. Yes, screws to remove the headlights. I did about a year and a half ago. The penetrating oil did the trick for getting those screws out intact, too.

[jfa.series1]

That's what I get for working from memory. Yes, screws to remove the headlights. I did about a year and a half ago. The penetrating oil did the trick for getting those screws out intact, too.

This was fresh in my mind because I just installed new bulbs last week! Roll tape.

[cycloid]

I was able to accomplish my task without having to remove the sugar scoops! I needed to sand both of them down but the headlights were in the way.

so I did this---

remove the inner fender liner. There should be 4 10 mm bolts holding it in place.

move the front wheel so that you can fit your arm behind the headlight.

remove the 4 silver screws holding the headlight in place.

pop the headlight. Done.

I was able to sand down the sugar scoops. No need to worry about re aligning the sugar scoops with the fenders

Thanks for the help guys. I love this forum!