Although it is a little more work to remove the assembly, it is a lot better for the bulb. If you touch the bulb, or scratch it on the way into the housing, it will severely damage the bulb, drasticly shortening the life of the bulb. Any scratch or fingerprint is devistating. With the assembly out of the car, you have a lot more control over the bulb. And as easy as it is to remove, it is worth the time. Just take two minutes and a 10mm socket, and save the life of your bulbs.