2013 GLK 350 headlight bulb replacement.
 

Bought two H7 bulbs for the GLK (one is burned out) and I am having a heck of a time trying to replace them.

This does not have the spring thing. I found one video that said that you just need to pull the light bulb assembly out. No dice. I tried pulling, twisting. Tried a pair of needle nose pliers. Flat head screw driver as a wedge. Nothing seems to want to come out without breaking.

I tried both sides and the issue is the same.

Any suggestions?

Thanks.

Does yours look like this one?
https://mbworld.org/forums/glk-class-x204/623527-2013-glk-350-low-beam-headlamp-replacement.html

Yes. That's what I have.

I'll try tilting the bottom. I thought I tried what the link suggested but I will try again. If not .. Parkplace Mercedes here I come.

Thanks for the info.

Went to the dealer. They even said the lights are a PIA to replace compared to most other models. I brought my own bulbs and they put them in at no cost.

Problem solved.

Thanks

I can attest that they are a pia to replace for some reason but once it snaps in you wonder why it was so complicated:rolleyes:.

It's stuff like this that give engineers a bad rep.

A bad rep to the un-initiated.

Early in my MB career I used to question design decisions all the time. After over thirty years with the brand I can tell you that MB engineers have good reason for everything they do. I've travelled, trained, and worked with quite a few over the years, and I've had many discussions about this subject. I've always come away humbled, and a bit smarter.....

Both of the tech who came over to help said the design was ****. Soooo there is that.

Usually I think they get it right. Every now and then ... no. In this case, I thin it is obvious it was a cost cutting measure. Get rid of the spring that hold the bulb in place. Anytime a pair of pliers and a screw driver is needed to remove a bulb.... its a design flaw.

Another example is the cruise control. I think the MB cruise control was the best in the industry. A simple 4 way stalk. The CC never needed to be turned on and I have no idea why it should need to be turned on. You could control the system by feel. You did not need to search for the small button on the wheel or take your eyes off the road. Now, they made it like all the other POS on the road and you have to look at the wheel to make sure you are hitting the right button. Had a loaner for a week. Hated it.

My dad (worked on cars for 50 yrs) said that if engineers had to work on the stuff they designed, things would be quite different.

This one probably had no input for an MB engineer. MB went to Hella and said “Give me a Scheinwerfer that fits.” Hella said “Halogen”?, MB said “Ja”, Hella said “$98.70?”, MB said “$95!”, Hella, said “OK, but for that price you get this PIA clip.”, MB: “Abgemacht!” And that was that.

My point exactly, the Tech's aren't qualified to make that call. They can agree that it's a PITA but calling it a design flaw is way above their pay grade.

Believe me, I've seen plenty of Tech's question the engineers during training courses (sometimes through a translator) only to be given a very clear and polite explanation of the logic behind their thinking. It's actually quite impressive. The Tech's always get taken to school by the engineers. After that they rephrase their questions to a much milder tone. I've seen it happen many, many times......:)

The techs absolutely are qualified to make that call. The hallmark of a GOOD design is that it serves the function intended without any undue hardship. In the case of a light bulb, it is inherent that the bulb will need to be changed multiple times over the life of the vehicle. A good design would have the bulb retained well, but also easy enough to replace. Excessive force or potential breakage is the sign of a bad design. Even worse is when you have to disassemble half the car to get to the bulb to change it (ever changed a headlight on a Honda?).

I don't really care what the engineers intended or how condescendingly they talked down to the techs. The engineer designed it in a computer in an office/lab/warehouse, the tech had to make it work in the real world. This goes on in virtually all industries, btw.

Whether it's 'above someones pay grade' is a matter of opinion.

Sure, making something more difficult to service while eliminating a very effective spring mechanism (my 190 was 30 yrs old and the E300 was 20 yrs old) which had a very low failure rate and were simple to service makes perfect sense.

Putting a gas tank right behind the rear bumper is an excellent design.

Placing a fuel filter on the underside of a vehicle and require suspension removal to replace it is a really great idea (Mazda RX7).

Just a few that I can think of.

I get it. You like engineers. Great for you. More times than not they get it right. Screw ups now are less frequent due to auto CAD where they can see it in 3D and get input from people who work on stuff. They do still screw up. The head light fitting is a perfect example.

The idea that engineers, MB or not have a reason for everything they do is just foolish. That is like saying mangers have a reason for everything they do and that the labor just does not see the big picture. Utter nonsense.

As I posted, Tech's can agree that some designs are a PITA but they're in no way qualified to make engineering decisions.

I never said I liked engineers, I do respect them though.

The reason I replied to this thread was simply to share a bit of the knowledge I've gained over the last few decades. I've spent the last thirty-five years working on MB vehicles exclusively. I understand the business, the methods, and the process in a way that not many people ever will.

I LOL every time I see some self-proclaimed engineer on this Forum start blabbing about design flaws......:cool:

So you think that maybe two years of trade school qualifies one to be an engineer?

Condescendingly? You were obviously speed reading when you scanned my previous post, just sayin' :rolleyes:

And I lol every time someone like you seems to think that engineers walk on water. I have been friends with the service manager for a while now. He works on this stuff day in and day out. Engineers screw up just like everyone else. They make designs that are flawed. It happens. It would happen less if they worked on the stuff that they designed.

I am an end user. I have changed light bulbs on cars for years. Never had an issue with it. It's a basic user function. This time me and two senior techs had an issue with it. A fragile glass bulb had to be forced. That is a design flaw. Not sure why you refuse to admit that.