Headlight Housing Removal (2012 Mazda5)

[huesmann]

Anybody know how to remove the headlight housings (2012 generation)? I'd like to remove them for polishing. It seems like you need to remove the entire front bumper cover to accomplish that—is that correct?

 

[MarkVII88]

Yes, that's correct.

 

[huesmann]

Good lord, what a PITA!

 

[MarkVII88]

It's not that bad, honestly. Maybe you could loosen one side at a time to get one headlight assembly out. But you need access to the lower fasteners which are behind the front bumper cover.
But you can easily polish the headlights without removing them from the vehicle. I've done this myself several times.

I use 1500 grit and 2000 grit wet sandpaper to get rid of oxidation and hazing. Then I polish the headlights with my random orbital polisher, medium foam pad, and 3D One polishing compound. Works really well. Afterwards, if you give the headlights a good ceramic coating, it helps keep the hazing from returning.

 

[Maikel]

No, you don't have remove whole bumper cover to remove headlights.
Just get upper part loose and then it's easy take the lights out.

You have to make fenderlinings loose and then you can see one 8mm bolt there, which hold the bumper to fender.

But if you want to restore your headlight lenses, MarkVII88 is correct, you don't have to remove them for that.