Angel eye installation without taking off wheel

SG07 · 07-29-2010, 06:50 PM

Is it possible?

Ron1n · 07-29-2010, 08:05 PM

Super easy. Just requires smaller hands and some patience.

There's no reason to remove the wheel, or to not do it from the engine bay, either. Both AE's have a cap behind where the AE sits.

1. Unscrew the cap (it's about 1/4th turn)
2. Take it the cap
3. Reach your hand in the hole and twist the bulb (also about 1/4th turn)
4. Pull that out (the cable isn't long, so don't expect to be able to pull it out really far).
5. Pull the tab on the one side of the bulb, then the other, and remove the bulb.
6. Put the new bulb in (they only go in one way, so don't worry about putting it in wrong).
7. Reinsert it into the hole and line it up to the housing (this is by feel)
8. Tighten again with 1/4th turn
9. Replace the cap

Rinse and repeat for the other side.

First time might take you 10-15 minutes to do this, depending on the size of your hands. Subsequent attempts will take less time (I can swap mine in under 5 pretty easily now).

SG07 · 07-29-2010, 09:55 PM

Wow, that sound fairly easy! I supposed same goes for swaping DRLs.

Thanks.

Ron1n · 07-29-2010, 09:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SG07

Wow, that sound fairly easy! I supposed same goes for swaping DRLs.

Thanks.

What year is your E90?

Wake27 · 07-29-2010, 11:00 PM

I thought it was supposed to be an even bigger PITA than removing the wheel?

Ron1n · 07-29-2010, 11:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Wake27

I thought it was supposed to be an even bigger PITA than removing the wheel?

No fkn way. Removing the wheel means you have to unscrew the lugs as well as some other bolts. The amount of time to do it that way is ridiculous in comparison.

You don't even have to remove the wheel to do the Fogs (but you do need to get into the wheel well).

Mike@F1 Autohaüs · 07-30-2010, 02:45 AM

You can do it without remove the wheel but it's going to be a PITA. With the wheel removed you'll have much more free room too work with and also avoid stripping those torx screws.

Spydeputy · 07-30-2010, 05:55 AM

took me 20-25 min / side last time. no big deal, unless you are flat rating your work for $$$.

E92-Lighting · 07-30-2010, 01:36 PM

taking the wheel off is the easiest way to change it

Kevin@AKMotorwerk · 07-30-2010, 01:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by E92-Lighting

taking the wheel off is the easiest way to change it

easiest, and the least strain!

SG07 · 08-05-2010, 06:01 PM

Problem is I don't have a jack, impact driver and torque wrench

Gavin@MMW · 08-05-2010, 06:12 PM

Doing it without the wheel off is easy, give it a try and just be patient

Ron1n · 08-05-2010, 07:42 PM

I agree. It's ridiculous to say that taking off the wheel is easier. By the time you get the car jacked up and take the wheel off, I'll have both AEs swapped out...

wren57 · 08-05-2010, 08:08 PM

Really stupid question about AE that I don't want to start a new thread about, but... when you buy angel eye bulbs online, does it come with 4 or 2? It seems like you'd need 4 at a time.

exclusivo · 08-05-2010, 08:13 PM

wtf, i take my bumper and housings off to get in there

Wake27 · 08-05-2010, 08:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by wren57

Really stupid question about AE that I don't want to start a new thread about, but... when you buy angel eye bulbs online, does it come with 4 or 2? It seems like you'd need 4 at a time.

2. BMW only has one bulb on each side to power both rings. Don't worry I had the same question back in the day.

c_jeong89 · 08-05-2010, 08:59 PM

if u have small enough hands it really isn't that hard w/o taking off the wheel. The first one took me about 30 min bc I didn't know what I was doing at first. The second one took me 5 min.

Wake27 · 08-05-2010, 09:21 PM

So how does everyone do it? Rotate the wheel all the way in and then just dig in?

Mike@F1 Autohaüs · 08-05-2010, 09:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by wren57

Really stupid question about AE that I don't want to start a new thread about, but... when you buy angel eye bulbs online, does it come with 4 or 2? It seems like you'd need 4 at a time.

They come complete as a pair.. 1 unit for each headlamp

SG07 · 08-05-2010, 10:03 PM

Just as an extension to my original question, I supposed I can change the fog and DRL without taking off the wheel too?

c_jeong89 · 08-05-2010, 10:15 PM

the fogs are really easy to change without taking off the wheel. As for the DRLs I suppose u could do it too but I have never changed them before.

Ron1n · 08-05-2010, 11:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SG07

Just as an extension to my original question, I supposed I can change the fog and DRL without taking off the wheel too?

Fogs don't require the bumper to come off, but you DO need to rotate the wheel and be ready to take off some bolts to get where they are.

07-29-2010, 06:50 PM	#1
SG07 Second Lieutenant 16 Rep 263 Posts Drives: E90 Join Date: Apr 2010 Location: Toronto, Canada iTrader: (0)	Angel eye installation without taking off wheel Is it possible?
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07-29-2010, 08:05 PM	#2
Ron1n Speed Demon 205 Rep 3,690 Posts Drives: 2021 M5C Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: Irvine iTrader: (6) Garage List 2021 M5 Competition [0.00] 2016 BMW 550i [0.00] 2011 335is [0.00] 2009 E93 M3 [10.00] 2010 335d [9.50]	Super easy. Just requires smaller hands and some patience. There's no reason to remove the wheel, or to not do it from the engine bay, either. Both AE's have a cap behind where the AE sits. 1. Unscrew the cap (it's about 1/4th turn) 2. Take it the cap 3. Reach your hand in the hole and twist the bulb (also about 1/4th turn) 4. Pull that out (the cable isn't long, so don't expect to be able to pull it out really far). 5. Pull the tab on the one side of the bulb, then the other, and remove the bulb. 6. Put the new bulb in (they only go in one way, so don't worry about putting it in wrong). 7. Reinsert it into the hole and line it up to the housing (this is by feel) 8. Tighten again with 1/4th turn 9. Replace the cap Rinse and repeat for the other side. First time might take you 10-15 minutes to do this, depending on the size of your hands. Subsequent attempts will take less time (I can swap mine in under 5 pretty easily now). __________________ Current: '21 M5C, '15 X6 50i Previous: '18 M550i, '16 550i, '11 335is, '09 E93 M3 DCT, '10 E90 335d, '07 E90 328i
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07-29-2010, 09:55 PM	#3
SG07 Second Lieutenant 16 Rep 263 Posts Drives: E90 Join Date: Apr 2010 Location: Toronto, Canada iTrader: (0)	Wow, that sound fairly easy! I supposed same goes for swaping DRLs. Thanks.
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07-29-2010, 11:00 PM	#5
Wake27 Lieutenant Colonel 46 Rep 1,681 Posts Drives: '06 330i ZPP ZSP Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: NoVA missing SoCal iTrader: (1)	I thought it was supposed to be an even bigger PITA than removing the wheel? __________________ 2006 JB 330i/ZPP/ZSP/I-Drive/Heated Seats/L7/Blacklines/19" Gunmetal V710's on Vredestein Ultrac Sessantas/BMS PBX/Red MFD Scoops/Matte black grilles/Matte black Amber Gone 2.0s/BSW center midrange speaker/35% tint/Black and white roundels
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07-30-2010, 02:45 AM	#7
Mike@F1 Autohaüs Lieutenant Colonel 195 Rep 1,985 Posts Drives: ❤ Join Date: May 2009 Location: f1autohaus.com iTrader: (24)	You can do it without remove the wheel but it's going to be a PITA. With the wheel removed you'll have much more free room too work with and also avoid stripping those torx screws.
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07-30-2010, 05:55 AM	#8
Spydeputy Brigadier General 205 Rep 3,523 Posts Drives: 2015 F23 M235i/2008,E90,335xi Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: The County, Maryland iTrader: (19) Garage List 2017 X5 M Sport Pac ... [0.00] 2015 M235i, F23 [0.00]	took me 20-25 min / side last time. no big deal, unless you are flat rating your work for $$$.
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07-30-2010, 01:36 PM	#9
E92-Lighting 860 Rep 35,253 Posts Drives: Next Generation LED Lighting Join Date: May 2008 Location: Walnut iTrader: (324)	taking the wheel off is the easiest way to change it
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08-05-2010, 06:01 PM	#11
SG07 Second Lieutenant 16 Rep 263 Posts Drives: E90 Join Date: Apr 2010 Location: Toronto, Canada iTrader: (0)	Problem is I don't have a jack, impact driver and torque wrench
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08-05-2010, 06:12 PM	#12
Gavin@MMW Brigadier General 406 Rep 3,879 Posts Drives: MMW Supercharged E90 328i Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: 818/805 iTrader: (18)	Doing it without the wheel off is easy, give it a try and just be patient
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08-05-2010, 07:42 PM	#13
Ron1n Speed Demon 205 Rep 3,690 Posts Drives: 2021 M5C Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: Irvine iTrader: (6) Garage List 2021 M5 Competition [0.00] 2016 BMW 550i [0.00] 2011 335is [0.00] 2009 E93 M3 [10.00] 2010 335d [9.50]	I agree. It's ridiculous to say that taking off the wheel is easier. By the time you get the car jacked up and take the wheel off, I'll have both AEs swapped out... __________________ Current: '21 M5C, '15 X6 50i Previous: '18 M550i, '16 550i, '11 335is, '09 E93 M3 DCT, '10 E90 335d, '07 E90 328i
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08-05-2010, 08:08 PM	#14
wren57 Roll Tide 591 Rep 2,345 Posts Drives: 335i Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: St Louis iTrader: (10)	Really stupid question about AE that I don't want to start a new thread about, but... when you buy angel eye bulbs online, does it come with 4 or 2? It seems like you'd need 4 at a time.
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08-05-2010, 08:13 PM	#15
exclusivo Lieutenant Colonel 126 Rep 1,893 Posts Drives: race car Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: queens, ny iTrader: (11)	wtf, i take my bumper and housings off to get in there
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08-05-2010, 08:59 PM	#17
c_jeong89 Banned 85 Rep 2,097 Posts Drives: E90 TiAg Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Irvine/Bay Area iTrader: (16)	if u have small enough hands it really isn't that hard w/o taking off the wheel. The first one took me about 30 min bc I didn't know what I was doing at first. The second one took me 5 min.
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08-05-2010, 09:21 PM	#18
Wake27 Lieutenant Colonel 46 Rep 1,681 Posts Drives: '06 330i ZPP ZSP Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: NoVA missing SoCal iTrader: (1)	So how does everyone do it? Rotate the wheel all the way in and then just dig in? __________________ 2006 JB 330i/ZPP/ZSP/I-Drive/Heated Seats/L7/Blacklines/19" Gunmetal V710's on Vredestein Ultrac Sessantas/BMS PBX/Red MFD Scoops/Matte black grilles/Matte black Amber Gone 2.0s/BSW center midrange speaker/35% tint/Black and white roundels
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08-05-2010, 10:03 PM	#20
SG07 Second Lieutenant 16 Rep 263 Posts Drives: E90 Join Date: Apr 2010 Location: Toronto, Canada iTrader: (0)	Just as an extension to my original question, I supposed I can change the fog and DRL without taking off the wheel too?
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08-05-2010, 10:15 PM	#21
c_jeong89 Banned 85 Rep 2,097 Posts Drives: E90 TiAg Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Irvine/Bay Area iTrader: (16)	the fogs are really easy to change without taking off the wheel. As for the DRLs I suppose u could do it too but I have never changed them before.
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