07 Headlight removal instructions with pics

[07AvySS]

Anyone try these?

LED 3157 ALX3

Says "DO NOT USE IN GM DRLs"
"Some GM vehicles apply a pulsed voltage to the Daytime Running Lights (DRL), this pulsed voltage causes LED bulbs to fail quickly, just as the stock filament bulbs also fail quickly in these DRL installations. Use in these applications voids the warranty."

Do the Avy's DRLs do this?

or these?

Tower LED 3157 AST

If so, are they as bright, or brighter than conventional Amber bulbs?

I am replacing all bulbs with LEDs, so I was going to go with Amber DRLs also.

[GulfstreamV]

I found a really easy way to replace the DRL's on an 08.  remove the two bolts at the top of the headlight, and the bolts on the top front of the grill.  pull the top of the grill (gently) away from the truck.  reach in, and pop the clip for each headlight.  that gives enough room to remove & replace the DRL bulbs.  (putting your arm down the top of the grill opening.

Replaced my DRL's in just a couple minutes this way.

Thanks for the shortcut!  We worked on mcmill3's ambers today with this method and did it in about 20 minutes. 

[mitranom]

Today I installed my amber drls and first off I figure if you take all 6 bolts of the top off and then placing your hand down in front of the rad you can pop off the lower grille and it will give you access to both headlights. It worked for me and it only took me 30 minutes in total, it could of been less but I was being extra careful in the cold weather trying to pop off the front grille. Hope this helps!

[Aussie Red]

Yhat is how we put mine in. Popped the grill. Hubby thought it was ridiculous to have to go through all this for bulb replacement  and complained to Chevy about design 

[Jesus Freak]

Did the DRL change out to my now totalled "03". I just bought the bulbs to do this to my "07".

[old skool]

I found a really easy way to replace the DRL's on an 08.  remove the two bolts at the top of the headlight, and the bolts on the top front of the grill.  pull the top of the grill (gently) away from the truck.  reach in, and pop the clip for each headlight.  that gives enough room to remove & replace the DRL bulbs.  (putting your arm down the top of the grill opening.

Replaced my DRL's in just a couple minutes this way.

This is the method I used also. Hardest part was, holding the bulb with a paper towel and trying to pop the bulb back in. Part store said not to handle the amber bulbs with bare hands.

[Pill Roller]

Maybe this will be on the list of things to fix between the 07 and 08 models, just like there was a lot that changed between the 02's and 03's.

Great writeup though, truck looks sharp!

David

I agree.  Whoever designed this should be horse whipped. 
Why make a simple task so difficult to carry out? 
 

But as far as the cladding goes, I was never interested in the Avalanche until they took the cladding off.   

[mrfrancis3000]

Wow, looks like I will have my work cut for me.

[GulfstreamV]

Wow, looks like I will have my work cut for me.

nah, not too bad.  I've done them on four '08s already and have it down to less than 15 minutes.  Just use the method terminex described on page 6 and you'll be good.  Use disposable rubber gloves so you don't get any oils from your fingers on them and it's quickly done.

Good luck 

[mrfrancis3000]

I just bought some projecter headlights, so I have to take the whole thing out. 


While I'm at it I will throw in some ambers as soon as I figure what bulbs to get and where from. 

[mrfrancis3000]

Wow, it only took me a total of 15 mins to take out and put a light back in on my 08. I just took out the all the screws mentioned, covered the bumper below the light with some shop towels and pried the light. After it took me 2 hours to figure out I had no idea how to install the projector lights, I just popped the old one back in.



 

[escheat1]

Bless you Mongo!

I wish I could print the instructions with pictures though.

Thanks for the help!

[escheat1]

The owners manual says to see your dealer. 

I bet that the engineer that came up with this design also saw his dealer before he made this design, I just don’t think it was his local Chevy dealer.

I just did this to my '09 I used the towel trick to make sure I didn't scratch anything.  Took my time and it was nearly and 1-1/2 hours.

I laughed hysterically at the owners manual.  Doesn't even tell you the replacement bulb numbers in there either.

I want to know if you take it into the dealer, does a tech do it at $98/hr or a body shop tech at $45 to $50/hr?

[Mongo Ranger]

Bless you Mongo!

I wish I could print the instructions with pictures though.

Thanks for the help!

All you had to do was ask, I have them in a couple of different formats that I am sure you could have printed off.   

[terminex]

This is the method I used also. Hardest part was, holding the bulb with a paper towel and trying to pop the bulb back in. Part store said not to handle the amber bulbs with bare hands.

True. sorry, I should have mentioned that i almost always wear disposable gloves when working on my car, truck, motorcycle, or bikes.

FYI - I had to replace one of my chrome amber bulbs recently, and used my same method, and this time it took me less than 5 minutes from opening the hood to closing it back down.

[jtdchevy]

Kudos to everyone who did a write up on ambers      Did mine today it wasn't to hard thanks to the info from you guys. 

[Rsq_Av]

I know there is already 7 pages of people complaining about the new design of the headlights, but I thought I'd put in my $.02 also. After reading the board, I had the heads up that it was going to be a PITA. But I know it's something I had to do, so this afternoon, I started the amber DRL replacement on my new 2009. I started on the drivers side (which was good...if I would have started on the passenger side, I think I'd have one amber DRL and I would have left the drivers side for another day  ).

I have somewhat smaller arms, so I took the 2 bolts out in the engine compartment for the drivers side headlight assy. I was able to pull the assy out enough to get my arm in behind it, and snake it behind the WW fluid tank. I reached the bulb and was able to spin it 1/4 turn to get the bulb out. I replaced the bulb, then put it back in (this is very difficult, as you can't get your entire hand on the light socket to turn it, so you are only using your fingertips). The drivers side took a total of about 10-15 minutes.

I moved on the to passenger side, using the same technique. This time, I also took off the top push-pin holding the rubber flap behind the grill, so I could reach around that side. This bulb is pretty tight on the way out, since there is a support directly behind the bulb. Again, you can only get fingertips on the socket, so it is difficult, and this one is in an even tighter location. After changing the bulb, I obviously put it back in and locked it in place. The passenger side took about 45 minutes to complete, and I got many scratches and scuffs on my arms from the light location. Not exactly how I wanted to spend my Sunday afternoon (and not exactly what I was expecting either), but its done and the ambers are in!

[Edmonton Avy]

I put my ambers in the other day using the info here.

Thanks for the shortcut only took me 20 min

[highflyinbean]

Finally got mine in today... wish I saw this thread earlier, would have saved some hassle.

[Bee Sting]

Have you ever looked at your unread topics and wonder why you were ever in that thread? Well this is one of them ......I don't even have an "07" 

   sorry

[Streets]

Wow seems like GM could have made it much easier!

[AvyInTheVille]

Man I really want to do this.  Now I need to find the time.