3r headlamp unit removal advice please

[sean j g]

hi all i believe that removing the front headlamp units on a 3r is a bit of a nightmare if anyone has any hints on how to do this i would be gratefull as i need to get them painted inside many thanks in advance cheers sean.

[alex s]

sean j g said:

hi all i believe that removing the front headlamp units on a 3r is a bit of a nightmare if anyone has any hints on how to do this i would be gratefull as i need to get them painted inside many thanks in advance cheers sean.

Good luck..... The way they are fitted is the clear lens is bonded to the clam, the part you are trying to paint is bonded to the lens and the back cover is screwed and sealed onto that.
I would say the only way of getting them off in one piece is a LOT of time, a very sharp scalpel blade and a lot of luck.
Then you have to remove all the sikaflex from the lens and the light carrier...

[AMG Merc]

Easier than taking the lens cover off I thought that the entire light unit plus the body coloured stepped piece all come away from the underside of the clam from the inside. No?

[alex s]

AMG Merc said:

Easier than taking the lens cover off I thought that the entire light unit plus the body coloured stepped piece all come away from the underside of the clam from the inside. No?

Rob, sure that is what I said...... but getting the lens off in one piece (from the clam) is almost impossible, therefore the only way is to try and get the stepped light holding unit away from the clear lens.

[AMG Merc]

alex s said:

Rob, sure that is what I said...... but getting the lens off in one piece (from the clam) is almost impossible, therefore the only way is to try and get the stepped light holding unit away from the clear lens.

Ah, I see Alex. Then as an laternative to that I'd go for removing the plastic lens cover from the top with a blade and then some sealant remover and spraying from the outside. ie: leaving the lamp unit in place. I guess we're saying the same thing!

[R0162]

Its a PITA, you will struggle to remove the bezel without breaking something, but it can be done, you need lots of sharp scalpels and prepare to struggle...i asked the question about a solvents that would soften the glue but nothing came up.
Cutting the lense out from the outside would leave you needing 2 new lenses and the logisitics of also cutting the new ones and glueing back in to give a good finish and seal is soemthing that would be a learning curve.