Mucky Headlamps...

[Simon BB]

Yet another headlamp thread...

My standard headlamps look pretty mucky inside so I'm keep to get in there and clean both the reflectors and lenses.

Does dismantling them all become clear once you have the inner wheel arch cover off? I seem to recall that they ars siliconed in there, anyone got any tips and advice?

Thanks in advance of any help

Si

[Andav469]

Access to the headlamp via the wheel arch is really limited to bulb changes.

To clean the reflector and inside the glass lens, you need to remove the shroud and remove the lens, both will have sikaflex holding them in.

No need to remove or disturb the adjustment of the reflector as full access is obtained once you take out the lens.

I had moths, spiderwebs and generaly lots of dust inside mine, just be careful not to rub the reflector too much as you will take off the silver finish.

[Simon BB]

Ah ok, thanks for that So i guess my next question is how's the headlamp shoud held on, I assumed there were some fixings / screws accessed via the wheel arch?

Thanks,

Simon

[Andav469]

Simon BB said:

Ah ok, thanks for that So i guess my next question is how's the headlamp shoud held on, I assumed there were some fixings / screws accessed via the wheel arch?

Thanks,

Simon

There are 2 wingnuts that hold the shroud in place, accessible through the front grill, you can just get your arm in.

The shroud will also have some sikaflex holding the shroud in place just about the headlamp unit, once you have removed the wingnuts, you will be able to lift the front of the shroud enough to expose the sikaflex (be careful not to lift it up too far in case you damage the paintwork).

I used a stanley knife blade to carefully slice through the sikaflex.

[Simon BB]

Quick question to the learned collective....

Does it have to be sikafex on the headlamp shrouds or is black silicone sealant good enough?

Thanks!

Simon

[Andav469]

Not sure if black silicone is good enough, if you can't get Sikaflex, Tigerseal is the same product

[Simon BB]

Thank you!

[QBee]

If that job daunts you, at least stick some of the brighter bulbs in, that give about 80% more light. Osram make some Nightbreaker ones, for example, for about £12 on Fleabay, and in a later car with the wheel arch inspection panels it's a 20 minute job, including removing and refitting the front wheels. Gave me enough light to see the road well enough.

[Andav469]

QBee said:

If that job daunts you, at least stick some of the brighter bulbs in, that give about 80% more light. Osram make some Nightbreaker ones, for example, for about £12 on Fleabay, and in a later car with the wheel arch inspection panels it's a 20 minute job, including removing and refitting the front wheels. Gave me enough light to see the road well enough.

So long as you stay in first gear

[QBee]

Andav469 said:

QBee said:

If that job daunts you, at least stick some of the brighter bulbs in, that give about 80% more light. Osram make some Nightbreaker ones, for example, for about £12 on Fleabay, and in a later car with the wheel arch inspection panels it's a 20 minute job, including removing and refitting the front wheels. Gave me enough light to see the road well enough.

So long as you stay in first gear

I found it easier to get the front wheels off with the car stationary.....

[Bassfiend229hp]

QBee said:

Andav469 said:

QBee said:

If that job daunts you, at least stick some of the brighter bulbs in, that give about 80% more light. Osram make some Nightbreaker ones, for example, for about £12 on Fleabay, and in a later car with the wheel arch inspection panels it's a 20 minute job, including removing and refitting the front wheels. Gave me enough light to see the road well enough.

So long as you stay in first gear

I found it easier to get the front wheels off with the car stationary.....

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