Cracked Headlights!!!

[M-G]

Hi, has anyone ever replaced the headlights on a MK1 Tuscan? I've managed to crack both headlights on a track day earlier this month.

Does anyone have any details on headlight covers ie where to buy them? I'm talking about the plastic discs that can be stuck to the headlights to stop this happening again.

Thanks

Mark

[powerlord]

ignore this if it is obvious, but.. headlights not needed for tracks days. It's standard procedure (in the bike world anyway) to tape your lights up. Bit of duct tape over them and all is well for next time.

sam goes for indicators, etc.

stu

[basil brush]

Take the bonnet off and they're fairly easy to get at through the panels in the inner wings.

[M-G]

Powerlord, the headlights were taped up, the stones punctured the tape and cracked the lenses! I can only assume this was at high speed on the straight.

Basil Brush, are the headlights bonded in or held in another way?

Thanks

[basil brush]

I assume the lense is attached to the relector/bulb unit and therefore held by the screws at the back used to adjust the aim.

[M-G]

Thanks, I'll have a look this weekend and then order some new headlights.

Mark

[mercurius]

I believe that just like the indicators -which I have just changed as one had rusted away with water- the headlights are bonded in...again, I hate to be the bearer of bad news, but I believe that labour will be more expensive than the parts...I hope I am wrong...

Indicators, parts and labour £280

Good luck.

>> Edited by mercurius on Tuesday 3rd May 16:33

[basil brush]

mercurius said:

Indicators, parts and labour £280

That looks like 2+ hours labour. Seems quite a bit.

[Y 1 CAN]

A stone cracked my high beam lamp back in 2002. I happened to be near TVR Power in Coventry so Dom and his team took a look. They struggled initially as it doesn't seem to be a particularly well designed fitment for replacement and it was the first time they had to do it. It took about an hour of contortions but they were very helpful and didn't charge much (can't remember the figure now).
Then again, TVR in Blackpool and Coventry saw plenty of that car, I went through three sets of finger followers in 12,000 miles! Hope the new owner is getting on OK with the fourth set.

[itchy]

Sorry for the off-topic comment, but...

powerlord said:

It's standard procedure (in the bike world anyway) to tape your lights up.

... this is to ensure that broken glass does not get on the track.

[M-G]

Dealer confirmed the headlights are bonded in!

Two new headlights at £59 +VAT each and 1 and half hours labour. Plus the fact I need two new rear tyres is making this track day stuff a little expensive!

Mark

[basil brush]

Funnily enough, my passenger side headlight has just come unstuck. I wondered why it was pointing at the car next to me at the lights. It looks like the frame is bonded in but the lense and reflector unit is supported on the adjuster screws and therefore fairly easy to swap.

I guess I'll be getting the epoxy resin out this weekend and inserting tab A into slot B.

[mcspreader]

I replaced 1 of my dipped beam units about a year ago. The new unit was about 55 pounds and was NOT easy to fit. Although it was NOT bonded in, the attatchment and adjustment screws work through cheap plastic and a lot of time and care was needed to change the units without causing damage. It is possible, but if you are not confident then the dealer charge, if only an hour or so, is reasonable. The lights are not easily accesible even with the bonnet off and triangular cover removed. I found my triangular cover had been removed in the past and badly refitted with self tappers forced through bits of GRP not designed for the job. I repaired it with UV setting resin (available from all good surf shacks) and it its now good.
I would suggest coating the lights with a polymer exterior laminate film. This is painted on after chemical cleaning of the lights. It provides a shatterprof coat to the glass. Halfords used to supply this but I have not seen it of late.