Didnt buy them off that site as i had planned...good job too really as i got a brand new pair off a lad over on Vectra-C.com for £10 delivered  :) ...what a feckin' struggle it is to swap the n/s one though...next to no room by the battery, and i couldnt work out how to move the battery either...anyway...the pics...

Before: (Note the Amber tinge of doom :()

http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y141/MadOnVaux/SSA50142.jpg

and After: (shiney shiney silveryness :))

http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y141/MadOnVaux/SSA50144.jpg

Huge improvement IMO...not sure they flash as bright as the standard bulbs though :-/

MarkJay did a 'How To' on the other site, I think.

Looking good matey, Sweet motor btw.

Jim

Cheers Jim...should look even better when i attack it with some Wax  :)

Auto Addict - A 'How To' for what, changing bulbs or moving the battery?

Auto Addict wrote on 06. Aug 2006 at 17:19:

MarkJay did a 'How To' on the other site, I think.

In order to make enough room to swap a bulb on the N/S you need to either have the hand of a 2-years-old with the flexibility of a rubber hose, or chose between taking-off the battery or removing the headlamp. But looks like he somehow managed it anyway?

Aye, managed it...wasn't fun though, god knows what changing any of the headlamp bulbs will be like.

I couldnt find any idea how to move the battery, couldnt see any clamps or nuts etc like on Cav's and Calibra's.

As AA said, I did this for 'the other site' some time ago...

http://img468.imageshack.us/img468/9924/headlight12re.jpg

Mod's, please move this to the 'How to', well done MJ, very clear and precise.

to remove the battery - disconnect the leads, lift off the fuse box, slide off the jacket (if fitted). There is a clamp at the base of the battery - held in by one bolt IIRC, you can then remove the clamp and lift the battery out (it sits under a lip on the opposite side to the clamp).

I like the look of those bulbs though, might get some for mine - seem to be about a fiver for a pair on fleabay?

Markjay wrote on 06. Aug 2006 at 17:49:

Auto Addict wrote on 06. Aug 2006 at 17:19: MarkJay did a 'How To' on the other site, I think. In order to make enough room to swap a bulb on the N/S you need to either have the hand of a 2-years-old with the flexibility of a rubber hose, or chose between taking-off the battery or removing the headlamp. But looks like he somehow managed it anyway?

I usually find you can manage to squeeze your hand in ok, you just cant get it back out again.  :o

Anyway, lookin' good.  [smiley=thumbsup.gif]

sounds2k wrote on 06. Aug 2006 at 23:12:

I like the look of those bulbs though, might get some for mine - seem to be about a fiver for a pair on fleabay?

Be wary of those though...ive heard of unscrupulous rogues (read 'Scumbags') buying Amber bulbs in bulk and spraying them with mirrior tint spray, which isnt heat resistent, and thus flakes off in no time...their disclaimer is that they make no guarantee about the bulb life.

Markjay wrote on 06. Aug 2006 at 18:12:

As AA said, I did this for 'the other site' some time ago... http://img468.imageshack.us/img468/9924/headlight12re.jpg

I've not had to change any of mine yet, but that seems like a lot of work to change a bulb!  
I always carry a spare bulb kit, I didn't realise that I need a tool kit as well!
I thought I'd just push a hand in there and fiddle around until I found the clips etc. That's what I did on my old Omega.

Do you need to get the headlights realigned afterwards?

wrote on 07. Aug 2006 at 16:26:

Do you need to get the headlights realigned afterwards?

Good question... mine are HID so auto-levelling, don't think they need adjusting... Anyway the car has been MOTed since so whatever was needed was probably done.

I notice that the top two screws are in slots, so, I guess, the secret is, make sure you put everything back in the same position.

This discussion has prompted me to have a look at my lights. It is very tight in there isn’t it?
According to the handbook (page 121), it’s easy to change them from left dip to right dip, when I go abroad. Hmmm!  I can’t see any levers, does that not apply to HID lights?
They certainly don’t look like the picture in the handbook.

wrote on 07. Aug 2006 at 17:28:

..... According to the handbook (page 121), it’s easy to change them from left dip to right dip, when I go abroad. Hmmm!  I can’t see any levers, does that not apply to HID lights? ......

Easy?!  :o Driver's side is but the passenger side needs the hands of a small child to reach the back of the lamp. I found it impossible with normal size hands without moving the battery.

Andy B wrote on 07. Aug 2006 at 18:08:

Easy?!  :o Driver's side is but the passenger side needs the hands of a small child to reach the back of the lamp.

Or Jeremy Beadle  ;) ;D

MadOnVaux wrote on 07. Aug 2006 at 13:06:

Be wary of those though...ive heard of unscrupulous rogues (read 'Scumbags') buying Amber bulbs in bulk and spraying them with mirrior tint spray, which isnt heat resistent, and thus flakes off in no time...their disclaimer is that they make no guarantee about the bulb life.

I saw the Silvatec' bulbs at Halfords today - and the box does say 'Bulb life or Silvatec effect not guaranteed'. So I guess they probably do peel-off after a while... :(

But so do the orange ones, its a common MOT failure.

Like the look though.