How do you change a headlight in a GMC acadia?

Answer 1

On the 2009 model, the genius engineers at GMC decided to make you access the rear of the headlamp assembly through the wheel well. This involves removing 11 screws from the plastic shield in the wheel well. You will need to start the car to turn the wheel to get the clearance for your screwdriver to remove these screws. The plastic shield will not come out even with these 11 screws removed, it just bends enough to get your arm in there. Then you get to blindly feel for the cap at the back of the headlamp assembly that needs to be unscrewed. Then you get to blindly feel for the back of the lampholder and try to give it 1/4 turn to release it. Then you get to hold a flashlight in your mouth because you will need both hands to release the metal tabs that are holding the bulb in the lampholder. All the while the plastic shield will be pinching and scraping the skin off your forearms. The real joy comes when you get to try to put the new bulb in the holder and get the lampholder to seat itself in the assembly and snug it up with the 1/4 turn.

Thank you GMC engineers, instead of replacing another bulb tomorrow I'll just poke pencils in my eyes to experience equal pain.