Some guys can supposedly replace that peanut light from the top without removing the light, and by proxy the bumper, at all, simply by reaching in past the radiator support and down into the side cover of the light bucket. I don't see how it can be done w/o having the hands of a 7 y/o old Malaysian girl, but a couple guys on here bragged about their ability to do so. B-sh!t I say...
When I last removed my front bumper to drill my light buckets to remove the condensation, I was also going to replace my burned out daytime running light, or peanut light. Even with the entire light assembly completely removed from the vehicle, replacement of the peanut light looked to be about a [email protected] It's located in a tight spot in the headlight bucket, without much surface area to get a good purchase on it to twist or turn to remove it. I read multiple threads somewhere on here outlining what looked to be a success rate of 1:10 in replacing the peanut light without breaking the clips/tabs that hold it in, so much so that when my left one burned out, I just found it easier to disconnect the right as well. Now they'll always match. I've read multiple anecdotes on here where owners looking to replace the peanut light themselves found that their GM CERTIFIED mechanic broke the tabs holding the light in on a prior replacement, finding it was just rammed back in the hole with tape, and THAT seems to be the overwhelming outcome of the majority of home replacements described on here. Broken tabs with tape rammed in the hole. No thanks.
That being said, if someone here can highlight the "secret" or trick to the removal and replacement of these lights, I'd LOVE to know. Secrets such as "which way to turn," or "how far to push," and/or "what tool best fits in both the recess and at the awkward angle required to get purchase on the light's base to turn/push it one way or the other. THAT'D be useful information to the point I MAY consider replacement when I next remove the front bumper...
When I last removed my front bumper to drill my light buckets to remove the condensation, I was also going to replace my burned out daytime running light, or peanut light. Even with the entire light assembly completely removed from the vehicle, replacement of the peanut light looked to be about a [email protected] It's located in a tight spot in the headlight bucket, without much surface area to get a good purchase on it to twist or turn to remove it. I read multiple threads somewhere on here outlining what looked to be a success rate of 1:10 in replacing the peanut light without breaking the clips/tabs that hold it in, so much so that when my left one burned out, I just found it easier to disconnect the right as well. Now they'll always match. I've read multiple anecdotes on here where owners looking to replace the peanut light themselves found that their GM CERTIFIED mechanic broke the tabs holding the light in on a prior replacement, finding it was just rammed back in the hole with tape, and THAT seems to be the overwhelming outcome of the majority of home replacements described on here. Broken tabs with tape rammed in the hole. No thanks.
That being said, if someone here can highlight the "secret" or trick to the removal and replacement of these lights, I'd LOVE to know. Secrets such as "which way to turn," or "how far to push," and/or "what tool best fits in both the recess and at the awkward angle required to get purchase on the light's base to turn/push it one way or the other. THAT'D be useful information to the point I MAY consider replacement when I next remove the front bumper...