Light pods refitting

[mcosh]

Guys, after advice and tips.
Have removed pods and split ready for respray and new covers. I can't find any advice on refitting other than someone who suggested putting an inner tube behind to lift pod until mastic goes off.

Anyone done this before?

Mark

[Aussie John]

I used the inner bit of toilet rolls to support the pod. Isn't there a metal bracket at the back to hold that end? [ Its been 8 years since I put them in and I am now a bit hazy]

[jfjfjf2]

Body repair suction cups attached to the plexiglass and tied to a fixed point.

Julian

[mcosh]

Any idea where I can buy those suction pads?

[fb2]

Don't know about the suction pads but I spent ages trying to work out how to do this recently! I ended up stuffing old bits of rag /t-shirts into the space below the pod to stop it moving whilst the sikaflex went off - cost free and remarkably effective. The metal bracket at the back of mine wasn't much help in getting it to sit in the right place........

[mcosh]

Did you guys position the pods then apply sikaflex when they were in place? Also saw a tip using inner tube I'm going to try.

[davep]

Inflating an inner tube to position the pod is a great idea. One method I wouldn't recommend is quick set spray foam as used by some body shops, it's a pig of a job getting the pod back out should you need to do the job again.

[jfjfjf2]

mcosh said:

Any idea where I can buy those suction pads?

http://www.frost.co.uk/dent-pullers.html

Or any autofactors.

Julian

[Barreti]

mcosh said:

Did you guys position the pods then apply sikaflex when they were in place? Also saw a tip using inner tube I'm going to try.

Sikaflex first or you will have very little holding the weight of the pod once you have taken the inner tube out.

One of my headlight pods has broken the seal so I'm wondering if there isnt the possibility of some kind of latch/catch arrangement I can fit to hold the pod up at the front.
Then removing the pod would be simplicity.

[mcosh]

Barreti said:

Sikaflex first or you will have very little holding the weight of the pod once you have taken the inner tube out.

One of my headlight pods has broken the seal so I'm wondering if there isnt the possibility of some kind of latch/catch arrangement I can fit to hold the pod up at the front.
Then removing the pod would be simplicity.

Did you mean... Position pod in shell... But before bolting and liftin place add silk a flex or put silk a flex on then lift into shell of car?

[Griffer]

Hi there,
There was a good little write up with some pics done on this by Griffsmith back in 2006 on the old Griff Pages site which I followed when I did this job on my car. I have a pdf copy saved on my hard drive, e-mail me via profile and I can send it to you if you like.

Griffer

[mcosh]

Ok slight delay in refitting as respray delayed. Interesting that in preparation for the lights to go in again the protective rubber at the back of the pods had come unstuck and perished a little. The result was dirt and flies could get into what should be a airtight compartment. Bought some... black rubber 2mm on ebay andhave cut out new.. .... If anyone is adjusting headlight or intending to clean out pods... Make sure you reseal well.... If rubbers perishing but you still have clean pods.... Check for cracking and stick a little silicon round before they do get dirty. Will save a lot if hassle!

[Ant.]

When refitting take a look above the front indicator. There may already be a hole in which you can insert a long self tapping screw, this allows you to set the front of the pod until the sealant goes off.

[Sardonicus]

Ant. said:

When refitting take a look above the front indicator. There may already be a hole in which you can insert a long self tapping screw, this allows you to set the front of the pod until the sealant goes off.

doing this very job at the moment secured headlamp pod's in position ready for Silkaflex temporarily with rolled up bubble wrap behind unit along with re-secured stays

Edited by Sardonicus on Saturday 4th May 21:35

[mcosh]

Sardonicus said:

doing this very job at the moment secured headlamp pod's in position ready for Silkaflex temporarily with rolled up bubble wrap behind unit along with re-secured stays

Edited by Sardonicus on Saturday 4th May 21:35

Are you applying the sikaflex before you put the pods in the car or after you have them positioned?

[Sardonicus]

mcosh said:

Are you applying the sikaflex before you put the pods in the car or after you have them positioned?

After you have a big enough void to fill anyway just a tip but ....wear a latex glove and finger dipped in white spirit is your friend for a flawless bead of Silkaflex/Tigerseal etc or whatever Acrylic sealer your using the white spirit does not react or affect the bond you just follow the bead to get that nice flowing look you can also clear off any excess or overfill with the white spirit, in saying all this I would wager my ex glazing brother can apply a finish like this straight out the mastic gun if not better I have witnessed this many times

Edited by Sardonicus on Tuesday 7th May 11:42

[mcosh]

Thanks for the help guys. Pods in all looking good. I did it alone in the end and used the rubber inner tube to hold in place while the sikaflex set. Toughest bit was the tidy up bead the next day... Wish I'd read the tip with white spirit!! I did mine with way to big a bead so had loads to clean off next day when it set. ... Put vasaline around the outer paintwork where I didn't want the sikaflex to go as a tip which really helped. Thanks again.

[Canonball]

I have just spent three days with these xxxxing light pods. I had to make one new metal bracket and lengthen the other one
about 20mm? I used the inner tube trick on one side and some insulation bord stuck in under the front of the pod.
They look ok now but before i applied the sikaflex the fit looked terrible!
Anyways no it's had the swedish MOT and passed with no problems.
So no i can go out and enjoy the beast!


Cheers Alex

[Habbmeizter]

Canonball said:

I have just spent three days with these xxxxing light pods. I had to make one new metal bracket and lengthen the other one
about 20mm? I used the inner tube trick on one side and some insulation bord stuck in under the front of the pod.
They look ok now but before i applied the sikaflex the fit looked terrible!
Anyways no it's had the swedish MOT and passed with no problems.
So no i can go out and enjoy the beast!


Cheers Alex

Congrats on the MOT Alex. I haven't seen you in the TVR Car Club Sweden register, are you a member yet?
If not; you should register! http://tvrcc.se/


I used a wooden plank that I stuck into the inspection hatch, then put a couple of weights on the plank to press the pod against the chassis. Then I let the sikaflex dry for 24hr before I apply the last coat around the pod. Worked perfectly!

[mcosh]

Canonball said:

I have just spent three days with these xxxxing light pods. I had to make one new metal bracket and lengthen the other one
about 20mm? I used the inner tube trick on one side and some insulation bord stuck in under the front of the pod.
They look ok now but before i applied the sikaflex the fit looked terrible!
Anyways no it's had the swedish MOT and passed with no problems.
So no i can go out and enjoy the beast!


Cheers Alex

Hey alex chin up...Mine looked ok but I'm still not happy with the sikaflex finish.....but to make you smile don't be a knob like I was yesterday as the car went for MOT and failed....I forgot to adjust the nearside light!!! thank god for a friendly MOT man who waited while I ripped of cover and made the adjustment!