Headlight assembly. To replace the headlight bulb do I have to take the entire front bumper off just to get to my headlight assembly?

Remove fender well trim ( a few screws)
Remove front bumper COVER (not the bumper- the plastic cover)
About 14 screws. Mostly on the underside, get a creeper, and a few
on the top.

Remove the (left or right side) Headlight assembly ( a couple more screws).
One assembly contains the headlight, turn signal and running light. Unplug
the electrical connector from the assembly. All bulbs remove from the back
of the headlight assembly. Headlight is held in place by bail wire, smaller
bulbs are 1/4 turn.

Yes you do. This is the steps to do that to replace the entire headlight assembly:


Remove the front fascia.

• Remove the front fascia extensions, if equipped.
  
• Remove the front fender liners.
  
• Remove the fog lamps.
  
• Remove the bolts (4) from the front bumper fascia (3) at the fender.
  

Remove the bolts from the front bumper fascia at the fender

Remove the push-in retainers (2) from the bumper fascia using J38778.

Remove the fascia bolts (1) from the fascia.

Remove the fascia from the vehicle.

Remove the 3 bolts which secure the composite headlamp.

Remove the 3 bolts which secure the composite headlamp

1. Remove the sidemarker bulb electrical connector.
   
2. Remove the sidemarker bulb, if necessary.
   
3. Remove the composite headlamp assembly from vehicle.
   

To install:

1. Install the sidemarker bulb to the composite headlamp, if removed.
   
2. Connect the sidemarker bulb electrical connector.
   
3. Secure the composite headlamp to the vehicle with the 3 bolts. Tighten the headlamp mounting bolts to 89 inch lbs. (10 Nm).
   
4. Install the front fascia.
   
5. Install the headlamp bulb to the composite headlamp, if removed.
   
6. Fasten the headlamp bulb retainer clip.
   
7. Install the socket to the headlamp bulb.
   
8. Install the rubber cover to the composite headlamp.
   
9. Aim the headlamps.
   
10. Close the hood.
    

The procedure to replace head light assembly on buick lacrosse is as follows:--- 1)To remove and replace the headlight assembly you will need to remove 1 retaining bolt on the top of the headlamp assembly and 2 sliding retainers at the rear. 2) The carefully Pull up the retainers and that will release the headlight assembly and allow you to pull it out the front. 3) When installing the new headlight assembly make sure you have it lined up correctly before trying to install the retainers, don't force them it may get cracked . 4) Both the cover and the bulb are removed by a standard twist to the counterclockwise and replaced by a twist to the clockwise. 5) Now to the dim light. You have to release the entire light assembly before you can remove the screw-on cover to reach the light. 6) On the rear edge of the light unit closest to the engine is a white locking tab. Pull that tab up just to the point where it releases…pull too far and it locks again. 7) Next, locate the other locking bracket which is a metal bracket in the center-rear of the light assembly. This bracket is held down by a screw. 8) Remove the screw with a 10mm wrench. Lift the bracket just like you did the white bracket. You should now be able to pull (or pry) the entire light unit forward a little. Depending on the size of your hands this might be enough. Note:-- The turn signal is part of the headlight assembly on your 2005 Buick LaCross. 9) To replace the headlight bulb you need to remove the front bumper cover. 10)To release the plastic bumper assembly to give you a little more space. This is done by removing two expansion locking pins, one that holds the little plastic strip down between the bright and dim lights and one that is located inside a rubber bumper on the engine side of the light unit. 11)To remove these locking pins, pull or pry up the little tab in the center of the pin. Thanks.

1. Open the hood to your Pontiac Grand Am. Have the car keys on you, but not in the ignition and make sure the lights are in the "off" position.
   
2. Step 2 Locate the splash guard and the plastic push pins that hold it down. It runs along the entire front frame rail. Removing the entire splash guard will make it easier to to remove even one headlight on one particular side.
   
3. Step 3 Remove the pins by lifting up on the center of the pin. Pull it up about 1/4-inch and then pry the pin insert and pin out of the hole.
   
4. Step 4 Locate and remove the two-headlight assembly bolts on the the top of the headlight assembly. Use the ratchet and a socket to remove the bolts.
   
5. Step 5 Pull the headlight assembly forward by hand. Be careful not to scratch the lens of the assembly or scratch the paint on the front bumper.
   
6. Step 6 Unplug the wire from the back of the headlight that is blown out.
   
7. Step 7 Turn the headlight bezel counterclockwise (about 1/4 turn) until it releases the headlight from the back of the headlight assembly. Extract the old headlight and discard it.
   
8. Step 8 Insert the new headlight into the headlight assembly. Be careful not to touch the glass of the bulb. Handle it only from the bottom.
   
9. Step 9 Replace the bezel and turn 1/4 turn clockwise until it locks into place.
   
10. Step 10 Plug the wire back into the headlight and rest the assembly onto the bumper gently so you can turn on the lights to test and make sure the headlight it working properly.
    
11. Step 11 Insert the headlight assembly back into place. Replace and tighten the headlight assembly bolts.
    
12. Step 12 Put the splash guard into place and place the push pins into position. Insert the pin and its insert into the hole with the pin still in the "up" position. When the insert is seated flush to the splash guard in the hole, simply push the pin down to lock.
    

You are supposed to remove the front bumper to take the headlight out.

However if you remove the vertical philips/10mm bolt at the far back edge of the bumper and a few of the upper 10mm bolts on the bumper cover, you can pull the bumper down far enough to access the one hidden bolt on the side of the headlight.
Just be careful you do not damage the paint when doing so.

Well according to my mitchell manuel you don't have to.here is the procedure.
1. open the hood.
2.Remove the push-pin retainer's that secure the top of the upper facia and grill assembly to the upper tie bar to allow the upper facia and grill assembly to flex forward.
3. remove ther bolt and push-pin retainer that secures the top of the headlight assembly to the upper tie bar.
4. Gently pull the upper facia and grill assembly forward to access the bolt on the inboard side of the headlight assembly
5. Pull the headlamp assembly straight out to disengage the the snap in retainer at the lower outboard back surface of the assembly. Turn the assembly so that the inboard assembly clears the front facia.
6. pull the assembly out and away from the veh.From there you'll be able to access bulbs.
be careful not to touch the bulb with fingers or oil in skin will blow bulb.
Good luck.

When you open the hood, you will see little plastic tabs that you can pull up. This will release the headlight assembly, and give you access to the bulbs.

If you are looking to remove the entire headlamp assembly, the one bolt under the bumper can be reached by either removing the bumper entirely, or just removing the bolts for the bumper and sliding the bumper out just far enough so that you can peel it back and reach that one headlamp assembly bolt.

If all you need to do is replace the bulb, you can remove the grey plastic cover behind the headlamp by twisting it off, undoing the clips (push in then out and swing them down), twisting off the bulb holder (attached to metal braided cable) and slowly sliding it out. Pushing in and twisting on the bulb will allow you to remove it. Keep in mind, space is limited and it is a bit tricky doing all of this, but it is do-able, without having to remove the entire headlamp assembly.

Remember to wear rubber surgical gloves if handling new HID bulbs and use extreme caution when reseating the holder after bulb replacement. Getting the clips back on after reinserting the holder is a bit tricky, just watch that the braided cable isn't in the way, swing the clips back up, push in toward the front then toward the center allowing them to catch under these little grooves/slits which hold them in place.

you doo not need to remove the bumper...the rt side is a bit tighter than the left side though..on the back of the headlamp are plastic screw retainers..they turn 1/4 to 1/2 turn to unlock the headlamp bulbs.( you could remove the battery to do this..it will certainly give you more room.) once you turn the lock grab the bulb and pull it straight back , unplug it and plug the new one in. be careful not to touch the new bulb glass with your fingers as this can get oil on the surface and create a "hot spot" which can lead to premature failure!

I know your frustration! I cannot believe the complexity of changing the headlights. Chevy has tried to make this a dealer item only just to change a headlight bulb. I will try to explain the procedure unfortunately I do not have photos. First you will need to remove the wheel well liner (two bolts and two plastic push pins). Pull the wheel well housing back (you will need to turn the wheel/tire to gain access) and using a 7mm socket remove the plastic support piece that holds the bumper in place (two bolts). Pull the corner of the bumper down until you can locate the bottom bracket of the headlight assembly that is held by a 10mm bolt. Remove it. (Oh did I mention this is a two person job!) Next move to the front of the vehicle (hood up) and remove all the 10mm bolts holding the upper part of the grill (I think there are eight of them). Now remove the obvious top two bolts on the headlight assembly! With two people - one to work the headlight assembly and one to push down the bumper and pull out on the grill assemble, slowly and carefully pull the headlight assembly straight forward. You will need to be mindfully of the small tabs on the headlight assembly that like to get caught on bumper/grill. If you are just replacing the bulb, you should be able to move the headlight assemble far enough forward to gain access to the bulbs without totally removing the headlight assembly. What a ***** job! SHAME on GM.