SLK/R170: headlight
Junior Member
Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 21
Likes: 0
From: Fort Worth, TX
2001 SLK320
Sorry for the slow reply....I was looking for a website I once saw that had really good pictures of how to remove headlights, but I can't seem to find it.
For removing headlights, step 1: Remove the grill:
1. Check out the pictures 491, 492, & 493 and remove all 6 screws (circled in red) that attach the top of the grill to the car. Make of note of where each screw came from, I had two long screws and 4 short ones. I'm wasn't careful, so I don't know exactly where they came from, but I put the two long ones in the top corners.
2. Please note that the grill bottom is actually hooked underneath the front bumper-cover, so you will need to be careful as you slowly finesse it out.
3. Now with the grill removed, it will be much easier to remove the headlight and install the new one.
4. Remove the side marker light to expose the third screw for the headlight. In order to do this, you need to lightly pull on the beige round tab. See blue circle in picture 496. Make sure and pull towards the outside of the car and be gentle, I have heard several stories of people breaking theirs. Picture 501 shows the removed marker light with the beige tab.
For removing headlights, step 1: Remove the grill:
1. Check out the pictures 491, 492, & 493 and remove all 6 screws (circled in red) that attach the top of the grill to the car. Make of note of where each screw came from, I had two long screws and 4 short ones. I'm wasn't careful, so I don't know exactly where they came from, but I put the two long ones in the top corners.
2. Please note that the grill bottom is actually hooked underneath the front bumper-cover, so you will need to be careful as you slowly finesse it out.
3. Now with the grill removed, it will be much easier to remove the headlight and install the new one.
4. Remove the side marker light to expose the third screw for the headlight. In order to do this, you need to lightly pull on the beige round tab. See blue circle in picture 496. Make sure and pull towards the outside of the car and be gentle, I have heard several stories of people breaking theirs. Picture 501 shows the removed marker light with the beige tab.
Junior Member
Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 21
Likes: 0
From: Fort Worth, TX
2001 SLK320
5. Next, you need to remove the three screws that hold the headlight in place. Look at the yellow circles in pictures 494, 495, & 503.
6. Once you have all three off, you should be able to easily pull the entire headlight assembly forward. From there, you need to disconnect the headlight and parking light wires. I was able to pry mine off with my fingers, but you might need a small flathead screwdriver.
7. From here you simply follow the same instructions to get the other headlight off, then reverse the order to install your new headlights. Because you got OEMs, I think everything should be plug & play.
8. As far as the self leveling plug goes, unfortunately, you are on your own. I have no experience with those. IMO, I think you are okay with simply not plugging them, but I am not sure how they effect the aiming of the headlights.
Good luck with the install. Make sure and take pictures to post of the before, during install and the final product.
Feel free to PM me or reply to this thread if you run across any issues....I'm never too far away from my computer!
6. Once you have all three off, you should be able to easily pull the entire headlight assembly forward. From there, you need to disconnect the headlight and parking light wires. I was able to pry mine off with my fingers, but you might need a small flathead screwdriver.
7. From here you simply follow the same instructions to get the other headlight off, then reverse the order to install your new headlights. Because you got OEMs, I think everything should be plug & play.
8. As far as the self leveling plug goes, unfortunately, you are on your own. I have no experience with those. IMO, I think you are okay with simply not plugging them, but I am not sure how they effect the aiming of the headlights.
Good luck with the install. Make sure and take pictures to post of the before, during install and the final product.
Feel free to PM me or reply to this thread if you run across any issues....I'm never too far away from my computer!
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Sep 2008
Posts: 3,152
Likes: 0
From: murfreesboro,tn
2003 porsche 996 turbo
on mine theres a hole on top of the side marker. inset screwdriver and push forward. side marker pops put. remove the screws holding headlight in. no need to remove grille.
Thread Starter
Newbie
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 5
Likes: 0
Xenons
I fitted the xenons yesterday and are up and running fine.
For information i left the levelling plug dissconected and didnt even have to get then enabled on star
Just need these black plastic wheel arch trims now.any one got a part number.its a japanese import into the UK
For information i left the levelling plug dissconected and didnt even have to get then enabled on star
Just need these black plastic wheel arch trims now.any one got a part number.its a japanese import into the UK
Last edited by racall; May 18, 2009 at 05:43 AM.
