Headlight trim removal.

[Corin Denton]

Hi all , just a quickie , I met a guy at the Devon & Cornwall TVRCC with a nice Mica red chim he asked me if I knew the correct way to remove the headlight surround , does it just clip off or will it break , he needs to replace a seal around the lamp and doesn't have internet access so I said I would ask on his behalf. It is a 95M 4.0 if it makes a difference. Thanks.

[dlewis]

Without reference to the bible, there are two wing nuts to be accessed from under the valance.

[sybaseian]

quote:
Without reference to the bible, there are two wing nuts to be accessed from under the valance.

They are 10mm nuts on mine.

[pbrettle]

Do you need to seal the light units to the covers if you do remove the covers...? Looking to replace my headlights as the silver reflective material has deteriorated a little and really need replacing soon (as in the whole headlight).

Cheers,

Paul

[Ford Prefect]

Not quite that simple, there are two bolts holding the bottom of the surround in place but the top is "glued" to the wing with silicon mastic. You need a Stanley knife blade or similar and a lot of patience.

Undo the bolts and lift the surround up as far as possible and insert blade under surround and cut through the mastic "glue" at the top of the surround. Depending on how enthusiastic the factory were in applying this "glue" it can take a few minutes or a good hour and sore fingers. Mine unfortunately took an hour.

Make sure you've got some mastic to fix it back down with and I would suggest using some masking tape on both sides of the surround and the wing to give you a couple of register marks to align it when refitting.

Watch your fingers and good luck!!

[zertec]

quote:
Do you need to seal the light units to the covers if you do remove the covers...? Looking to replace my headlights as the silver reflective material has deteriorated a little and really need replacing soon (as in the whole headlight).

We have taken quite a few of these apart during headlight conversions. The bolts referred to are not always there as a number of early cars didn't have them (TVR quality control) the bezels were just held in place with mastic. The headlight lens is not a full part of the headlight it is completely separate. The parabolic reflector mounts at the back of a silver painted recess with the bezel holding the lens at the front. The bezel is made of thin plastic and can crack easily so be careful when you are removing it.

We have plans to make a complete replacement unit using better lights later this year that will keep the single headlight look. This kit will be offered in addition to our existing quad-light and S12 conversions. It will be a DIY fitment rather than dealer.

rgds
Clive

[Corin Denton]

Thanks for your advice everyone , I have passed on your comments and they are very much appreciated.