Birthday Headlight

Just needs a mechanic shirt...

I just turned 46, and someone asked... what was my favorite present? Well I got a few things, one was a present of time from my oldest when we visited Grand Rapids, Jenn as always goes out of her way to find creative gifts (cool insole creator for my dress shoes), and the kids usually get me something very practical (crocs and weighted vest). 

I usually get myself something that I have wanted for a while and spoil myself. This year it came with a special present from Cruz, and memories of working with N as well back in the day. My MKZ, my Lincoln, AKA the "other" Z, has been needing a new headlight bulb. While I appreciate so many friends who point out it is broken, it was getting annoying...

A new headlight bulb at the dealership is almost $400... yes, just the bulb, the tax of owning a "fancy" car (and a HID bulb). If you know me, you know when it comes to repairs I am CHEAP... especially when I am think I can do it myself for less. 

First step was, checking cost of bulb, well that was $130! What! No wonder the repair is nearly $400 from the dealer... so then I looked up on youtube how to do it... nothing, except how to replace the whole assembly with an LED (cheaper) version. Finally I found a how to guide and well, it looked complicated, but not impossible... I thought, I can do that, but faster and easier. 

Whew it was a lot!

So I thought, well it's a birthday/holiday weekend, and good excuse to bug my little dude to help. I got the bulb and carved two hours of time to get it done... figured while we are in there we do some other maintenance and service work as well. 

Well, it took longer than we thought, and at about the hour and half a mark, I got stuck trying to get some bolts out, and I was ready to call it quits. I thought, we are going to have to take the bumper off, and is a few more hours of my time worth trying to save $250? Or call it quits now, put it back together, and make an appointment at the dealer? 

So I talked to dude, and he of course was quick to talk smack... " yeah old man, I didn't think we could do it in time" (he had football practice coming up). My hands were already busted up, my face was dirty from grime falling from the wheel well on me... I asked should we quit, and he said its up to you if you think YOU CAN'T do it... and I took it as a challenge, but also as a good lesson opportunity. 

I watched the help video again, and then saw the next two bolts I needed and we got to work. We can do it, so why quit? I have the skills (Ivy Tech Degree) and the tools and I won't quit cause the going got tough. I focused, stopped rushing, and dude didn't bat an eye lash at my request he get under the car again and keep taking off the bump bolts and we got to work. 

It took about another 1.5 hours to get it done, and I taught dude a few things... while we took things apart we cleaned each part. Let's do it right while we are in there and do other work that is helpful once we take things apart. Little lessons like trying to find the right/best tool to make the work more efficient is worth the time. Also general lessons like important steps when lifting a car (jack stands, wheel chocks, etc,). 

We got it done, to change the headlight bulb we had to jack the car up, remove the driver wheel, remove driver wheel well liner, remove lots of under hood plastic trim, remove the grill, loosen (and practically remove) the entire front bumper, lower bumper shroud, and remove the headlight assembly... all in all about 20-25 bolts, 15-20 clips, a few wiring harnesses... and we got the bulb out, put the new one in, started putting it back together when I realized I forgot the dust boot on bulb socket, took it apart again, and then got it all back together. Lesson to him... don't rush, or you make mistakes. He had to leave to football, so technically I got it done, but he helped with all the hard stuff I just put it back together. 

Cleaned up!

I hope dude looks back fondly at these lessons like I remember working with my dad on things... I remember similar lessons with N as well and I hope N remembers those lessons positively (Old Post: Buelos and Thanksgiving). I know I am not always 100% best influence, but I tried, worked hard, and hope kids feel like it was time well spent with me. It was a nice present of time from dude for my birthday. 

Saved $250, taught dude somethings, and reminded myself I still know how to work on cars, even a newer hybrid Lincoln. Other planned work; I did wire up some new LED lights inside the car, routed in a new charger in the backseat for them, and replaced the air filter while I was at it... now I need to find time and some money to work on my fun Z next.