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I have a 1986 5.3 Coupe which is fitted with headlamp wash/wipe. One of my headlamp bulbs has blown so I am going to replace all the bulbs. Are there any precautions I need to take when removing the wipers so as to gain access to the retaining clips so that I can remove the headlamp to change the bulbs, can I manage it by just releasing the chrome surround or is there a way in through the wheel arch??

Remove the front splash guards under the wings which will give you access to the rear of the lights through a hole in the rear of the headlamp housing.

Hope this helps

Many thanks for that. I didn't fancy having to take the front of the car to pieces!!

I also found it helpful to jack up the side of the car that I was changing the bulb on and turn the wheel outward - gave a bit more arm space; a friend with another facelift model advised me to take the wheel off, but I found just jacking up to be enough, otherwise squeezing around the tyre is a bit of a nadge. Might be different with the pre-facelifts of course.

If you have not already changed your headlamp bulbs it would be a good idea to look into replacing them with some of the newish Phillips ones which while still being 60/55 watts give about double the output of normal bulbs. I replaced my '94 coupe ones with them and the illumination from the standard rectangular lights is transformed from just adequate to superb. Since then Phillips have brought out a later design which will no doubt be better still. They are called X-treme Vision and can be got on-line at powerbulbs.com in Wakefield who do an excellent service.