How to Replace MG ZR / Rover 25 Front Indicators + Bulbs (mk1)

This guide is useful if you want to replace a cracked indicator lens, replace a blown indicator bulb or fit a silver coated bulb to detango your mk1 Rover 25 or MG ZR front end.

Fear not, you don't need to remove the front bumper to change the bulb either!


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Time to Complete - 5 minutes

Difficulty - 1/5

Tools and Parts Required

• Plastic trim removal tool set
• Flat head screw driver and cloth (see Step 1)
• Replacement indicator housing (if required)
• Replacement offset 581 PY21W bulbs

Disclaimer: Any information given in this guide is to be used at the readers own risk. I take no responsibility for injuries to the reader or damage to their vehicles. If this guide is followed correctly, no harm should occur to either the reader or the car.

Please read through the entirety of this guide prior to undertaking any work, and take due care.

How to Remove and Refit Rover 25 and MG ZR Front Bumper Indicators

Step 1 - Locate and Release the Indicator Retaining Clip

UPDATE!

Originally, being a naive youth, I used a metal flat head screw driver, I was careful and luckily I didn't damage the paint. However, I'd highly recommend at least wrapping a cloth around a flat head screwdriver (as per Dr.Buck's tip in the comments below) to avoid damaging your paint.

Ideally though, get yourself a set of plastic trim removal tools, use the thinnest and narrowest one you've got. This should minimise any damage you could do to your pride and joy's paint.

I've got this Neilsen set from Amazon, it's definitely worth the money, there aren't many jobs I do on my cars without using them at least once.


Using your flat head screw driver thinnest and narrowest plastic trim removal tool, compress the metal clip on the inside corner of the indicator. As shown below.

Step 2 - Keep the Clip Compressed and Pivot the Indicator Out of the Bumper

Once the clip has been compressed lever the indicator housing forward, pivoting about the outside edge.

Guide the housing out whilst keeping the clip compressed, don't allow the clip to spring back and scratch your paint as you lever the indicator away from the front bumper.

It should just pop out once the clip is clear of the bumper skin.

Step 3 - Remove the Indicator Bulb Holder

Once the indicator housing has been removed from the front bumper, you then have access to the bulb holder.

To remove the bulb holder from the indicator housing just twist it and pull it out.

Step 4 - Replacing the Indicator Bulb (Detango)

When you've removed the bulb holder from the main indicator housing, this is how it'll look. To remove the bulb, simply apply a tiny bit of pressure on the bulb, pushing toward the holder, then twist anticlockwise.


The mk1 Rover 25 and MG ZR front indicator bulbs are offset 581 (PY21W) type bulbs (not 382's, the connector pin offsets are different).

If you just want to fit an orange replacement bulb, I'd recommend Osram Originals, you can grab a pair on Amazon by clicking the previous link or image below.


Alternatively, you could detango your Rover 25 or MG ZR front end by fitting chrome / silver indicator bulbs. It's what I did and personally I think it looks miles better.

These chrome Osram bulbs should do the trick!


Here's the before and after shots of detango'ing my Rover 25.

Original orange indicator bulb

Chrome indicator bulb

Step 5 - Refitting

Refitting the bulb and the indicator is just a case of following step 1 - 4 in reverse.

Job Done!

Only thing left to do is grab your keys and go for a drive!

Let me know in the comments below how you get on, and be sure to check out my other service and how to guides to keep your MG Rover running and looking sweet.