Front Turn Signal Socket Damaged. Cant Remove

Jnursey · 10-19-2019, 12:56 PM

A portion of the drivers side turn signal socket somehow was damaged. It seems the "tab/handle" portion has been ripped off, making it potentially impossible to remove from the headlight housing in a conventional way.

Below shows how it looks when looking in from the wheel well. I also posted a picture of what the socket is supposed to look like when removed. The silver/grey portion with the handle is what is missing as you can probably see.

Has anyone else ever had this issue or know of a thread that talks about it. I am planning on buying a new socket and removing the wheel and hopefully getting in there with some sort of tool to forcefully remove whats left of the socket/bulb, and then replacing it with the new socket.

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expl0de · 10-21-2019, 11:07 AM

Just grab it with pliers and rotate counterclockwise. It should come easy. You can also try by pushing with two sticks in opposite directions from both ends. Not necessary to remove the wheel, just make full turn and unbolt the wheel liner.

Billfitz · 10-21-2019, 11:15 AM

I don't think even Houdini could remove the wheel liner without pulling the wheel first. Even if you managed it's really hard to see what you're doing in there, and hard to put some light on the subject with the wheel in the way.

10-19-2019, 12:56 PM	#1
Jnursey Private First Class 50 Rep 134 Posts Drives: 2013 BMW 328i Join Date: Nov 2016 Location: Orlando, Fl iTrader: (0)	Front Turn Signal Socket Damaged. Cant Remove A portion of the drivers side turn signal socket somehow was damaged. It seems the "tab/handle" portion has been ripped off, making it potentially impossible to remove from the headlight housing in a conventional way. Below shows how it looks when looking in from the wheel well. I also posted a picture of what the socket is supposed to look like when removed. The silver/grey portion with the handle is what is missing as you can probably see. Has anyone else ever had this issue or know of a thread that talks about it. I am planning on buying a new socket and removing the wheel and hopefully getting in there with some sort of tool to forcefully remove whats left of the socket/bulb, and then replacing it with the new socket. View post on imgur.com View post on imgur.com View post on imgur.com
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10-21-2019, 11:07 AM	#2
expl0de Private 20 Rep 65 Posts Drives: BMW f30 320d and e92 320i Join Date: Aug 2014 Location: Bulgaria iTrader: (0)	Just grab it with pliers and rotate counterclockwise. It should come easy. You can also try by pushing with two sticks in opposite directions from both ends. Not necessary to remove the wheel, just make full turn and unbolt the wheel liner.
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10-21-2019, 11:15 AM	#3
Billfitz Lieutenant General 8213 Rep 16,043 Posts Drives: '15 328iX GT Join Date: Jan 2015 Location: New Hampshire iTrader: (0)	I don't think even Houdini could remove the wheel liner without pulling the wheel first. Even if you managed it's really hard to see what you're doing in there, and hard to put some light on the subject with the wheel in the way.
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