Side repeaters

[piglet]

Anyone got any tips for changing the side indicator bulbs, without breaking the fittings, scratching the wings or removing the front wheels and arch liners

[gumby6371]

A firm push forwards and ease them away from the panel with thumb pressure, this should give you enough room for a small lever down the back. Plastic trim removal tools are ideal but I just use a flat blade screwdriver as if it does mark it wont show but if you're unsure a bit of masking tape on the screwdriver should give enough protection.

[piglet]

Thanks Gumby, the firm push forward was the key, I was able to lift away without any metal implements.

Bulbs repaced with orange LED's but I'm not sure what the MOT man will think of them, the light is focused forward from the 'bulb' therefore sideways from the car an thus not so bright when viewed from an angle. 2 chances.

[Doggy]

I'm pretty sure the MOT won't require side repeaters.

[gumby6371]

Isn't it a case of if you have them they must work?

[markw]

Vosa's MOT manual says this:

Vehicles first used on or after 1 April 1986 must
be fitted with one side repeater indicator on each
side. Instead of a separate lamp, the side repeater
might be part of the front direction indicator if it
includes a wraparound lens.

[Doggy]

A closed mouth gathers no feet.

[piglet]

My MOT man clearly thinks they are part of the test, and that they must be at least as orange as that bloke off 'homes under the hammer'.

I've ordered some more brighter LED ones of fleabay, expensive £2.99/pair. Costs are starting to spiral out of control.

[rwb]

pushing a bank card between the repeater and the panel at the rear and pushing forward lets you lever outwards.

I once failed on side repeater not orange enough

[piglet]

Reporting back, the £2.99/pair multi-led flat looking things are good, MOT man satisfied & no more bulb changes.

[Doggy]

Good news.
Hope you're right on the bulb changes - after getting fed up changing W5W sidelight bulbs on my old Xsara, I got LED's for both the sidelights and number plate lights on my first 406. Not one lasted a year. After replacing a couple of them twice, I swapped back to filament lamps.
Since then, I haven't had one fail in over 5 years.

[piglet]

Crikey, that's no good.
Lets see how these go, I've had pair in the side lights for a while and they still work.