Problem with installing headlights back on the Maserati 4200

[Fery]

Hello guys

I painted my car of the front, but i have now problem with installing headlights back on the car. Its so difficult to fit them. Where i can find or buy service manual? Do you know how to install headlights without damaging the painted parts fenders and front bumper..i need to know step by step how to do it. i took them out by pulling from the front but now i cant fit them back. Is it more easy to take tyre of and push it from the fenders? How this supposed to do help, please.

Thank you!

 

[rockits]

Yup, much easier to do if you take the wheel & arch liner out. They still do in through the front but easier with wheel & liner out of the way at the rear. Not sure how you took them out without doing this as there is a bolt/bracket at the back.

 

[FIFTY]

I was struggling with this about 2 weeks ago

The trick is to totally loosen the three wing to bumper bolts this will give you wiggle enough room to wedge in the lights onto the brackets.

Its fiddly but you just need to be patient



So it's the three fastenings to the right of the headlight in the picture. Opposite on the other side obviously

 

[D Walker]

Surely you mean left of headlight running along wing.

 

[FIFTY]

Surely you mean left of headlight running along wing.

No as you are looking at the photo I posted where you are looking at the car head on its the three fastenings to the right

Anyway in case im not being clear enough here is a photo from matts how to:

It is fig 10. I had to undo these to the point that the nut was only on by a couple of threads in order to allow enough room to slide the light onto the figure 8. mount which is what causes the headache.

 

[D Walker]

Yeah, now it makes sense, thought I'd ask as it wasn't clear and the op first language may not be ours. That should get him away or if you can post the link to the thread you used.

 

[FIFTY]

Yeah, now it makes sense, thought I'd ask as it wasn't clear and the op first language may not be ours. That should get him away or if you can post the link to the thread you used.

Fair point! I used this thread: https://www.sportsmaserati.com/index.php?threads/how-to-front-bumper-removal.20397/

it's one of those DIYs which says reassembly is tracing the same steps backwards but to refit the headlights it really is not... The "extra step" is what I described above.

 

[miket]

I’ve always managed from the wheel arch, the trick I found to make it easier is to slot the front bracket fixing hole (the one above the front fog light) with the fog light removed you can access the fixing bolt to just tighten it up!
On the near side loosen the secondary air pump to give more room and better access to the bracket under the front inner wing fixing, hope my explanation helps and best of luck!

 

[rockits]

Agreed, I forgot about that.....take the fog light out as well!

 

[Fery]

Thank you guys for help. Sorry my english is very bad as u see. I used this thread when i removed the front bumper and lights. Its was easy to remove the parts. https://www.sportsmaserati.com/index.php?threads/how-to-front-bumper-removal.20397/

The problem is figure 8. When i try to put the lights back on the car from the front the figure 8. Bracket of the light is going to wrong side and there is no space to wiggle it. The driverside is more difficult so do i need to loose air pump? And the ballast of the lights is hitting to metal pipe which is under the light. I got it once back on but the bumper was not painted yet. The reason why im asking here is that there to be a way or tricks to do this.. is it normal that i have to use power and force the headlight back on the car... i dont understand why its made like this. Im not college boy, i have experience but this car is new and different then hondas lol. I can attach some pictures later so u can see the problem... i dont want do any damages and find the correct/easiest way to do this because it will not be first and last time for me. And you will see why i want to be "perfectionist"

Do i need to fit from the front and without rubbers?
Keeping the bumper and fender bolts open from the sides?
Is it really more easy to undo the L bracket and fit he headlights from the back in?

 

[FIFTY]

Do i need to fit from the front and without rubbers?
Keeping the bumper and fender bolts open from the sides?
Is it really more easy to undo the L bracket and fit he headlights from the back in?

I kept the rubbers on the light fitting

Yes keep the 3 fender to bumper bolts open on each side open

Not on my car as the L bracket had some corrosion and looked like more work to remove but this has worked for others

 

[tan55555]

There really is nothing more frustrating than when things come apart easily, you are just thinking "this will be easy" then one of them will not go back in! Sometimes you just have to down tools, walk away, then when you come back later it just seems to work.

 

[Fery]

Yup, much easier to do if you take the wheel & arch liner out. They still do in through the front but easier with wheel & liner out of the way at the rear. Not sure how you took them out without doing this as there is a bolt/bracket at the back.

I did take the liners and wheel away when i remove the lights. There was nothing problem with thatremiving. I tried to testfitting the headlights but i couldnt fit it anyway (driverside) BUT before i got it easily once haha. I will fight with them if there is nothing to do this more easy way...

 

[Fery]

I kept the rubbers on the light fitting

Yes keep the 3 fender to bumper bolts open on each side open

Not on my car as the L bracket had some corrosion and looked like more work to remove but this has worked for others

Okay thanks, i can take the L bracket off if this really helps because im sure that i will going to remove the lights. Im trying to find easiest way to install them. Removing some "extra" parts is not problem.

 

[conaero]

Put tape round the opening so you don’t damage the paint.

Place the rear of the light into the opening then rotate the light and wiggle. You also have to be aware of the fixing braket untet the front of the light as it catches underneath.

 

[Fery]

I’ve always managed from the wheel arch, the trick I found to make it easier is to slot the front bracket fixing hole (the one above the front fog light) with the fog light removed you can access the fixing bolt to just tighten it up!
On the near side loosen the secondary air pump to give more room and better access to the bracket under the front inner wing fixing, hope my explanation helps and best of luck!

Okay, i want to let you that i have G&S front bumper (fiberglass) its not flexy like oem oem one. i will try again and take a pictures this time if i fail again