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MG MGB Technical - Headhight Trim Ring Removal?

Ok, here's an easy one (I hope). How do you remve the headlight trim rings from a B? I have 2 '77s and can't get any of the rings off.
Thanks,
Mark R.
Mark Rotsky

I have the opposite problem.....mine work loose of their own accord!

Bumpkin
Bumpkin

Just been through this on my 67 roadster. The lights had corroded so badly inside the reflectors that I had to buy new ones so I could illuminate the road properly! Anyway, the rings slip over two small raised metal sections at the top and then push back in below the light until in theory, they hold fast just from being a good tight fit.
The fit on mine was so tight that I couldn't get off very easily either, but after a little bit of help from the leverage supplied by a screwdriver inside the bottom of the ring and a rag to protect the car, eventually it just popped off at the bottom after which you can just lift up to clear the retainers at the top before removing completely.
Refitting took quite a bit of effort to get them to sit snuggly again, but a few good pushes and thumps and they eventually sat ok.
Martin Port

Push down on the top and lever the bottom forward. If you can get a hook in the bottom you can pull it forward, but the metal needs to be hard or the hook will straighten. Usually I have to lever mine off at the bottom with a screw driver and a thick pad of duster or whatever between screwdriver and wing.

The spring-clip at the bottom gets rusty over time and instead of pinging off can get quite mangled, and it needs quite a bit of leverage/pulling to do that. You could try running a bit of oil inside the ring at the bottom in the hope it will lubricate things once they start to move.

Replacing you fit the top behind the lips on the bowl first, then press the top down, then press the bottom backwards until it pings into place. Grease the spring-clip before-hand.

If you mangle the clips I'm not sure if they are available, and if you get new bowls they (in my experience) come with the incorrect screw-in fittings used on other cars. Fortunately mine were OK and with a bit of care I was able to transfer them from the old bowls to the new.
Paul Hunt

Yes, new clips are still available from MGB Hive but they are £1.75 each.

The rims don't fit all that well and can usually be removed with a screwdriver which has been heated at the end and a hook formed. Place this hook between the lens retaining chrome ring and the trim ring and just pull it off. This way there is little chance of damaging the paintwork.
Iain MacKintosh

Based on the above, I was very lucky.

I was headed to the parts store in the '77B, after dark, for a backup alternator belt, and had noted in the garage that all headlamps were working. Went 2 miles to the interstate, and after accelerating up the entrance ramp and reaching cruising speed, I noted flashing lights in the rearview mirror. Thinking that all I had to do was to pull over and let him pass, I was surprised when he followed me to the side. My right lowbeam was out! Just a warning, with my promising to replace it immediately.

Bought the new lamp at O'Reillys, and borrowed tools to replace it. 5 minutes later, I went back in to ask if anyone knew how to replace the lamp on my "furrin" (I speak this way in Weatherford, so as to be understood) car? Needless to say, I had to figure it out on my own, and there were no obvious mechanisms for removal. After trying a number of non-destructive techniques, I started prying on the top of the ring with a small slotted screwdriver, and eventually maneuvered it to the point that it popped off. That's when I noticed the spring-loaded catch on the bottom, and was happy I was in Weatherford, where there were none of my "furrin" (folks who are not from Texas) friends to note the stupid look on my face.

To my credit, I quite easily figured out how to get the ring back on without the use of the screwdriver.
Fred Doyen

Yall covered the actual question well so I'll just add...

LOL Fred, we must be related as I can't seem to go ten minutes without being pulled over once a headlight fails... Once in the middle of the day on the interstate middle of nowhere Nevada where the cop had to back-track 3 miles after crossing the median just to shake a finger at me! Shows to go you that day-time lights are for the birds.

Worst was the time I changed a headlight only to have it fail in southern Idaho, replace it, and three hours later a patrolman (this time in central Idaho) stopped me in NASTY weather to let me know the new light had failed. Then, when I finally got to school (Washington), I noted the OTHER light was about half-full of water (but still operating)! Sheesh.

Of course there's all those other "popeyes" and "moon illuminators" out there that seem to never have to change out anything.

Grrrrr.

Mike!
mike!

As to the tool for removing the ring, someone suggested the flattened end of an ice pick, rolled over to make a hook. Ice picks are somewhat hard to find, but a thin screwdriver with a blade about 4" long is not. Heat the blade in a propane tourch, flatten the end with a hammer, heat again, roll the end of the blade to make a hook. Allow to cool, file and polish to shape, rounding any sharpe edges which could damage the weather seal or trim ring. I made one of these up after the original suggestion was posted it and have used it for years. Good thing to have around as it makes the job easier and the chance of damage much less. Les
Les Bengtson

Mark,
Try going to a paint store and get a paint can lid opener.It has a small hook on one end and a bottle cap opener on the other.Works great to pop off a headlamp trim ring.Remember to put a towel under the opener to protect the paint.
Tony
Tony Shoviak

This thread was discussed on 13/01/2005

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