Headlight reflectors bowls

[jvr]

Hi guys
Just failed mot on plates and headlights,no plates no problem but headlights failed on marks on the chrome reflector part.The question is,is this part easy to get to is it from the front or the wheel arch and could they be resprayed in chrome paint instead of new purchase?
its a 98 model
many thanks
P

[TJC46]

Should say the very first job is to position your car about 3 feet or so away from the garage wall turn on the headlights and mark the beam positions. Next you have to remove the headlamp cowl. It is held in place by 3 no wing nuts and sometimes some sikaflex sealant as well. If you reach thru the front and feel around you should find them. They tend to rust so plenty of wd 40 or similar sprayed on will help. I removed the wingnuts on mine only to find the cowl wouldnt move. The very top of it [12 o clock pos.] had sikaflex sealant underneath the cowl holding it firm. BE VERY CAREFUL its so easy to break/damage the cowl. Gently ease it up, a feeler gauge worked back and forwards should help.Now you need to remove the glass lens, which is completely held in place by sikaflex sealant. Carefully dig it all out and remove the lens.Now for the reflector, this is held in place by 3 no screws which have springs and wingnuts on the rear [these are for adjustment]. Carefully remove all 3 and the reflector is out. I tried everywhere local to me, trawled the internet, sent numerous emails trying to source a new headlight reflector. I had no joy, so instead of approx £36 i had to use a tvr specific parts supplier and pay £56 delivered. Where they are managing to scource them from i dont know. Good luck any probs post on here, Tom. [ edit to add] As yours is a 98 model you may have the removable plates in the wheelarch, which makes it all a bit easier to get at the screws.

Edited by TJC46 on Friday 9th April 18:03

[Colin L]

Hi guys, the reflector is a Truck Headlight part and Bosch so easy to get hold off.

I have the part number in the garage will get it this weekend and post it up, its not that hard to get and if I remember right got 2 for £30 a couple of years back. Even the lamp lens is not expensive.

Will post it up by Sunday night.

Cheers
Colin L

[jvr]

do you think that chrome spray would surfice though?
P

[Hybrids]

I used the chrome spray, it's not brilliant but was good enough for a defined beam pattern for the MOT

[jvr]

Thanks for the replies
Got the lenses off now,in the bible it says use silkoflex sealant but I assume its silocone seal for outdoors in black colour.I'm going the chrome spray first as this will be the easier and cheaper way,basically the chrome finish has worn in some places on the lower half.The surface is smooth so hopefully it should be a good finish.
off to halfrauds in the moning
P

[bigdods]

jvr said:

Thanks for the replies
Got the lenses off now,in the bible it says use silkoflex sealant but I assume its silocone seal for outdoors in black colour.

Its not silicon sealant, its more like glue. I made the mistake many moons ago of using black outdoor silicon on some parts of the chim, then 6 months later had to do it all again with sikaflex.

You can get sikaflex on ebay or chandlers merchants (if you live near a river or the sea just go to the nearest boatyard).

Edited by bigdods on Saturday 10th April 11:40

[SILICONE KID]

sikaflex or Tiger seal same stuff .I should know im the silicone kid .How did you remove your lights , i don`t have the inspection hole in front of the wheel .Tried to remove the covers but i think there glued in .!

Edited by SILICONE KID on Saturday 10th April 20:59

[jvr]

SILICONE KID said:

sikaflex or Tiger seal same stuff .I should know im the silicone kid .How did you remove your lights , i don`t have the inspection hole in front of the wheel .Tried to remove the covers but i think there glued in .!

Edited by SILICONE KID on Saturday 10th April 20:59

mine had 2 threads with wing nuts at the bottom which are accessed through the grill,quite fiddly and one was rusted on.Then the top part of the light cowl was stuck with the black goo.Cleaned it up after part spraying the reflectors with chrome paint and stuck back lenses with clear silicone(i know not recommended!)then silicone on the top again.
P

[Colin L]

Hi as promised the following part numbers for the lens and reflector.

Its cheap to replace and the chrome spray while a good idea is no replacement for the correct legal surface finish.

Lens Bosch part number: 1 305 604 027

Reflector Bosch part number: 1 305 314 930

Cheers,
Colin L

[bigdods]

Colin L said:

Hi as promised the following part numbers for the lens and reflector.

Its cheap to replace and the chrome spray while a good idea is no replacement for the correct legal surface finish.

Lens Bosch part number: 1 305 604 027

Reflector Bosch part number: 1 305 314 930

Cheers,
Colin L

Would I be correct that I would need to go to a local auto parts place to get these. Tried googling but couldnt find any suppliers that sell online.

[daveparry]

Any good auto factors will be able to get these for you do you have a Camberley auto factors near you? or search google for Bosch distributors.

[Colin L]

They are mainly used on Truck's so any good truck parts place should have them on the shelf.

Which makes them cheaper, than car parts for some reason.

Hope it helps,

Colin L

[jvr]

if you buy them via a TVR source they are anything between £38 to £47 each plus vat
P

[TJC46]

jvr said:

if you buy them via a TVR source they are anything between £38 to £47 each plus vat
P

As i said in my earlier reply, i really did try everywhere. One company even contacted bosch, and they still list it as an "active" part but with a 6 to 8 week manufacture and delivery from germany. If anyone out there actually finds a stock of these at a realistic price it would be great to list this info for other chim owners. As previuosly stated available from TVR specific parts suppliers but £38 was the min, plus vat, plus ridiculous del of £8 and at £53 per side thats more expensive than the lupo conversion.

[daveparry]

I have a couple you could have they came off of my car when i had the conversion, the are pretty good nick!

[Robrine]

TJC46 said:

jvr said:

if you buy them via a TVR source they are anything between £38 to £47 each plus vat
P

As i said in my earlier reply, i really did try everywhere. One company even contacted bosch, and they still list it as an "active" part but with a 6 to 8 week manufacture and delivery from germany. If anyone out there actually finds a stock of these at a realistic price it would be great to list this info for other chim owners. As previuosly stated available from TVR specific parts suppliers but £38 was the min, plus vat, plus ridiculous del of £8 and at £53 per side thats more expensive than the lupo conversion.

I'm having this conundrum at the moment too. Both of mine need doing at some point soon (and lenses), but with all the extra bits and bobs like adjustment kits, it make it a very expensive exercise and I'm tempted to go down the Lupo mod route. I just don't like the idea of taking a hacksaw to the light bowls I can't find anyone who flogs those part numbers at reasonable prices.

PS Hi Tom, did you get my email about the carbon dash??

[WOO5IE]

Try this link as the link in it seems a lot more reasonable


http://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&a...

Trev

[Mark_S_24]

daveparry you have a PM

[mattrosersv]

I just spoke with LAE (Mentioned on the thread listed in this topic).

They told me the lens is in stock with Bosch, but the reflector bowl is not and there may not be another production run. In any case the lens was 30 quid plus VAT so not much difference from the TVR specific parts places.

I agree that the Lupo option now looks attractive.

For now I will go with the chrome paint option and maybe go the Lupo route over the winter. Any suggestions on the best paint to use?