Head Lamp Pod - mostly rust.

[jchase]

I finally took my LH headlamp pod off, and discovered why the headlight didn't work - The bracket has totally rusted away. I could fabricate a new one, but I don't know what it looked like originally! Can anyone help with dimensions ?

-Jim

[dickymint]

Maybe the same or more likely the mirror of the right one.

[jchase]

MMMmm. checked the parts list.

"025U037A Bracket assembly, headlamp motor Qty 2"

So I guess they are (were) the same pattern.

-Jim

[wedg1e]

How would you like it? AutoCAD format or a jpeg?

Ian

[jchase]

Wow, jpeg I think, as I don't have autocad. You are a star! By the way, here's a piccy of the dust that was once my bracket :

www.fotango.com/p/eba00353853f00000001.jpg

Anyone else need any? might as well make a few if I'm going to fire up the MAGS.

-Jim.

[dickymint]

Hope you dont mind me butting in Ian,
I wouldn't mind any autocad drawings you got.
(you running 2002?)

[dickymint]

jchase said:

Wow, jpeg I think, as I don't have autocad. You are a star! By the way, here's a piccy of the dust that was once my bracket : www.fotango.com/p/eba00353853f00000001.jpg Anyone else need any? might as well make a few if I'm going to fire up the MAGS. Blimey Jim! what a mess. looks like something dematerialised wrong whilst being beamed aboard! Bet you a pint it still wont pop up with a new bracket fitted!! -Jim.

[wedg1e]

Hmmm, a shade crumbly.

I've just realised I never got around to AutoCADding the sketch I made...doh! Can work on it later. I run 14 here and 2000 at work (I have 2002 but when I installed it, I couldn't adapt quick enough, found some of the instant menus a pain).

So it'll have to be a jpeg for now.... :warmingupscanner:

Ian

[danny hoffman]

<>

Just needs a quick coat of waxoil.........

[Nacnud]

Some rust!

My headlight brackets are not mirror images.
The motor is mounted in the same orientation on both sides but the drive and mounts are completely dfferent to compensate.

[streaky]

Can't wait to see what that dust was originally - Streaky

[shpub]

Just a word of warning... the bracket design changed over the years and are not interchangeable. There are at least 3 versions so please check before doing anything. I would definitely look at copying the other one just to make sure that everything fits.

[wedg1e]

Nacnud said:

Some rust! My headlight brackets are not mirror images. The motor is mounted in the same orientation on both sides but the drive and mounts are completely dfferent to compensate.

Strange. All those I've seen have been identical setups, the pods being tied to the motor at the RH side in each case. I imagine that the later cars (with the square lamps, or the short nose of the SEAC etc.) may vary slightly but I think Jim's car is a relatively early 280. My drawings are from the '80 Tasmin and match my '87 390SE as well.

Ian

[jchase]

Okay, so I mamaged to fix my 280i light pods with no problems, but I now have the same problem on my 350i FHC. However, I cannot get the headlight lift adjustment right - it seems the amplitude of the pod's swing is too great. (the best I can get with various link arm lengths and bracket locations is about 1.5cm too low when down, and 1.5 cm too high when up)

I recall on my 1981 280i there was a compliance bush on the adjustable link arm, as per the TR7, but the 1986 350i has two spheric bearings. Can anyone confirm that this is a factory upgrade ? I am concerned, because to get the pods to park in thier correct positions requires a lot of force, which visibly moves the pod motor bracket. I am fairly sure on the 280i the link rod bushing took up this slack and not flexing of the GRP nose cone.

-Jim

[wedg1e]

My 390SE has two spherical bearings on an otherwise rigid link.

[kevsmev]

Jim,
I spent ages trying to get my pods to operate correctly. ie. raise up against the stop just enough not to have any vibration when driving and to park level with the bodywork. The link rod only adjusts the amount of pod travel. The park and raised position is more dependant on the position of the motor on the bracket and the bracket on the car. To get my cars alignment spot on, I hade to radially slot the three motor fixing holes in the bracket. This enabled the motor to be rotated one way or the other. Combine this with adjusting the rod length you will be able to get it spot on. It took me about five attempts. Good luck.
Kev

[chassis 33]

wedg1e said:

I run 14 here and 2000 at work (I have 2002 but when I installed it, I couldn't adapt quick enough, found some of the instant menus a pain).

Try getting your head round the 2005 version...age old menus that have been engrained on my memory for years are now gone :sob:

Anyway :ahem: Inventor is much better (sha right!!!) I'm trying to 3d model as many 1980 Tasmin components as possible...may sporn a niche marcket in a few years...

Regards
Iain

[nads]

jchase said:

I finally took my LH headlamp pod off, and discovered why the headlight didn't work - The bracket has totally rusted away. -Jim

Know how you feel. My off-side pod stopped. I looked inside to see a pile of rust too. I wanted to find out what an original looked like so opened the near-side pod to find it was just about gone too. The only bits seeming to hold firm were the bolts and base of the bracket - meaning, I can't get them off! (Nuts and bolts rusted togther with a nice circular shape to the bolt heads! Any ideas? Do I have to try to drill through? Did you make your own brackets in the end or try someone like RT Racing?
I've had to fix my pods open for the time-being as I don't know how long it will take me to sort it out.
Hope you are having more fun!
Nads

[sevans]

IIRC the brackets are held in place by 4 countersunk headed bolts through the body. I would spray the whole lot with 'plus gas' and leave for a few days. If you still have no joy it should be possible to drill out the heads if you remove the bonnet first. I replaced these bolts with some stainless ones with countersunk allen heads. My brackets were OK but it sounds like you are going to have to replace yours. May be worth getting some made in stainless.......que Steve......

[kevsmev]

Hi guys,
If there is enough interest and a commitment for say a batch of twenty or thirty, then I would be willing get them made at work. Either in stainless steel or mild steel with a zinc plate and powdercoat finish. The price would depend on the batch size but would be in the region of £6.00 each. If there are 2 or 3 different types, has anyone got a pattern for each?
Kev