[Subw00er]

I couldnt get the bulb housing to enter the hole of my headlight. I did trim the tab fully, this is not the problem, it just wont push in so that I can twist to lock it in place. I even tried removing the o-ring, but it just doesnt go in far enough - the farthest I can get it on is flush with the tabs to the outermost part of the bulb housing (so I know I've trimmed the tabs properly - they are sunk beneath the flange.

Is it possible the 08 wrx sti just has a tighter fit? It feels like the diameter of the ?HIR bulb is a tiny bit wider. The oem bulb goes right in.

Also, for the fogs, I could only get them to turn 1/4 turn. I hope they dont fall out!

Anyone else have this issue?

[Moontang]

Its a ***** to get them in, but they go in.

[Subw00er]

Did you just force them in? Are you worried about getting them back out?

[talsnic]

ok, this happened to me, and its not a bid deal.

solution:

obtain rubbing alcohol, Q-tips, tiny screwdriver, and a file.

use the screwdriver and pry the o-ring off of the HIR bulb. be careful, as you can cut the o-ring with the screwdriver. so be gental.

then gently pull the o-ring off of the bulb, while being careful not to touch the bulb.

take the file, and file down the area where the o-ring is. the goal is to make the diameter of the bulb base smaller. you will need to file, then without the o-ring, push it into the 9005 socket, and pull back out until it fits.

when you get it filed down enough for a good fit, then gently put the o-ring back on without touching the bulb.

if you accidentally touch the bulb, it doesnt matter becouse you should clean it anyways.

the final task is to dip the q-tip into the rubbing alcohol, and wipe it around the bulb. the rubbing alcohol will recombine with the oils from your hands and keep the bulb from blowing up under operation. once the bulb has been cleaned, let it dry for 5-10mins.

install the HIR bulb, and it should fit like the 9005 you took out.

enjoy.

[Subw00er]

thanks

[Subw00er]

For the record: Dont bother installing the HIR's in the fogs = TOTALLY USELESS. I cant even see the lights turn on when they are switched on or off. They make no difference at all.

In the high beams, they do make a difference. twice as much brightness as advertised? Uhm, no. Maybe 15%.

Overall, I wouldnt bother with HIR. They may be a tiny bit brighter, but I had to not only trim off the tabs around the outside of the bulb, but modify the bulb's housing with a dremel to get them to fit (as per the seller's instruction). I am worried that my dremeling wasnt perfect and I may get condensation in the headlight housing. Overall this is not a well designed product for our cars. Just my $0.02.

[talsnic]

For the highbeams:
you have to remeber where the light is being placed in front of the car. if your in any urban or semi-urban area, its hard to see the difference. once out on the dark highway, the difference can be seen, mostly in long distance.

ive noticed that the highbeams on the STI is designed for distance, where as my integra was for all around light. i could see the difference a lot easier in the integra, as more forground lighting, side lighting, and distance. where as the STI throws most of it into the distance lighting.

my opinion is to recommend HIR for highbeams, but not for fogs.

the fogs are hardly noticable as the HID drowns it out, but when you angle the lowbeams down, and in heavy fog, it definitly helps.