"BMW X5 - How to Replace Headlight Washer"

By Ron Stultz

13 March 2010

Summary: easy enough do-it-yourself (DIY) but washer assemblies come unpainted.

Background:

X5, 4.4i, model year 2000.

On trip to NYC, some one backed into front of X5 and broke off a headlight washer.

Tools and Supplies:

New headlight washer.

Decide how you want to paint new washer as comes unpainted. I am lucky as my X5 is silver and silver spray paint and clear coat was available at local auto parts store. Difference in color or shade from BMW factory is so minor can not tell unless I point it out.

Phillips head screwdriver.

How to install a headlight washer:

1. Paint replacement headlight washer. Let dry and then apply clear coat, if needed.

2. On side with broken washer, remove plastic ring around fog lamp. Ring is simply pressed in place and comes out easily.

3. Remove fog lamp. Best to remove completely from X5.

4. Reach up in hole created by fog lamp removal and undue clip holding broken washer in place.

5. Disconnect washer fluid hose and remove broken washer.

6. Place new washer up into fog lamp hole and attach washer fluid hose.

7. Get clip over end of new washer.

8. Replace flog lamp.

9. Replace flog lamp plastic ring.