Hello everyone, I need some help on replacing my headlight bulbs. I'm having quite a difficult time trying to get anything right. I've tried looking into the manual (not much help at all), searching online, looking at previous posts about this topic, but still haven't made any progress. Just so you all know, I have a 2000 Dodge Durango and I'm not very apt at doing car stuff and have never done any tinkering by myself, so I though that I could start by replacing the headlight bulbs myself. I don't know how to remove the headlight assembly because I don't see any screws to do that, in the front anyways. The only screws I see are to the side and top, which I think is for aiming the headlight. But the manual shows several screws to loosen, but I can't find any, do I have to go in from the back or something? I also tried removing the turn signal assembly to see if I could locate the bulb that way, but that didn't help. The last method I tried was to just reach from the back and try taking the bulb out that way, but I can't remove the white plastic thing holding on to the bulb, I think its the retaining ring. I've tried rotating it each way, pulling and pushing, but it just won't budge. I seriously need help replacing the lightbulb, I thought it was going to be a relatively easy task, but apprarently I overestimated it. Also, how should I go about replacing the bulb on the passenger side? There isn't much room for me to fit my hand through that small gap, and never having done it befoer, I don't want to risk damaging the bulb in any way. Any help would be greatly appreciated, thanks!

 

Im not a 100% sure on this being my D is a 99 but you should be able to replace the lights no matter if the headlight is still in the vehicle. The passenger side might require temporarily removing the intake for access. The retaining ring should give you a little bit of a hard time, but not impossible to remove. I'd say try unscrewing the rings counter clockwise again first before removing the headlights. to remove the headlights you must remove the park/turn signal housing from the light, one screw inbetween the two. then after that is done you shouldbe able to see two bolts on the bottom and one on the upper right.

 

If you can remove the retaining rings from behind, it will save you a little time. But taking the whole headlight out is pretty easy too. You need to remove the turnsignal/corner assembly. There is only one torx screw to take it off. Then you will see the two lower bolts for the headlamp. 10 mm bolts. You then need to take off the rubber piece (on the radiator side) to see the only other 10 mm bolt. It is on the upper radiator side of the headlamp assembly. Then you just pull the whole thing out.

 

Yep, just take the turn signals and the headlights out as said.. It's alot easier, unless you have really little arms or enjoy pain.

 

Removing the bulbs is not difficult. As Duranged408 states, you just twist the locking ring around the bulb counterclockwise and then you will have to carefully wiggle the bulb straight out and it has a rubber o-ring to provide a airtight seal to prevent moisture from getting inside the lens. You may want to put a little grease on the ring to make re-installation easier.

Make note of the orientation of the position of the bulb as it will go in one specific position. It has those positioning nipples to assist you in aligning the bulb back into the socket.

 

Thanks for all the advice everyone, I won't be able to try replacing the headlight bulb until the weekend. The problem I'm having most, I guess,is with that stubborn retaining ring. I've tried to turn the retaining ring with as much force as humanly possible, I've even tried orienting myself in numerous positions, but that thing just doesn't want to budge, perhaps its rusty or something. Would you guys have any tips on trying to remove it? Thanks for the help again!

 

No rust, everything is plastic. My guess is it is just stuck after so many years. I just recently chamged my bulbs. I was able to get the passenger from behind, but I had to remove the drivers side. The retaining ring was stuck as yours is.

 

Im not sure if you already know but just incase, the retaining ring is plastic and it only turns 1/4 to 1/2 way to come off, it doesnt have threads.