ZeroTX

Ford engineers have their heads up their rectums. Changing headlight bulbs require removal of 20 (TWENTY) bolts and 4 plastic clips (or was it 6?). Seriously. They put this much effort into a plastic front piece that you don't see, but can't align the bumper on a new truck?

You see, I also found that my bumper is higher on the passenger side and creates a friction between the rubber pieces and the painted bumper, which has caused rust in the circled areas.

Note, 2017 model has 15,000 miles on it. I live in Texas. No salt. Note: the driver's side has very little contact taking place and has not rusted.

What would you guys do about this rust? You can't see it when the headlight hardware is reinstalled, but rust doesn't stop, it spreads. In a few years, the bumper will be completely toast. Should I make Ford repaint it now while I have full bumper to bumper still in place on it?

djfllmn

iTrader: (1)

you don't have to pull the assemblies to get to the bulbs...you go through the wheel wells

ZeroTX

Yeah, tried that. B.S.

djfllmn

iTrader: (1)

i did it with no issues, sure its a little tight but it is manageable

Brokemillwright

Talking smack about the Ford engineers yet you post a 2015+ tantrum in the 09-14 section..... major Web cred

ZeroTX

Dang. I goofed. Sorry. Was doing it from my phone :/ Don't see that it allows me to delete a thread....

Mods, delete this entire thread, please or move to the 2015+ forum, please. Much appreciated.

M0RRIS

Can’t delete. Don’t the 15+ trucks have those little metal slides? They lock the headlight in place. My ranger had them, I forget if my 12’ f150 does.

Siber Express

My 03 F-150 had the slides but I know I have 3 bolts I do believe per side on the HID's from the factory on the 13 so they probably quite using those. Somewhere down the line it is saving 15 cents per unit or something stupid like that.

alborn98

I'll still help a forum member out even if it's in the wrong forum.

Regarding the rust... I had a '15 with the same issue. Rubber spacer took the paint off and then it rusted. Brought it up to my dealer and they repainted the areas for me and then installed 3M clear film where the paint and the rubber meet so it didn't happen again. I gave them the ole' "this is a manufacturer defect/miss and there's no reason this should happen on a new truck" speech.

YMMV with your dealer but mine was fixed under warranty almost without question.

If yours won't fix it, I'd simply recommend getting some factory touch-up paint, sanding the rust off, primer/paint, and then protect with some clear film like I mentioned above. Since this is an area that you don't really see, the touch-up job doesn't have to be perfect. It only needs to protect it from rusting anymore.

alborn98

Also found this... looks pretty easy to me, but never done it myself so whada I know?