Mercedes 280 SL 1981 headlight repair
Discussion
I'm looking for some help.
My car will fail it's MOT on just the nearside headlight. The guy just said I need a new headlight.
The problem I have is the headlight looks fine, the bulb works but is off centre when projected at a wall and shakes about when driving at speed.
I don't really want to buy a full new headlight as the cost is very high. Is there a way to repair or replace the internal parts of the headlight?
I'd rather keep the original headlight if possible. Happy to post up pictures of the headlight once I get it off if that helps.
My car will fail it's MOT on just the nearside headlight. The guy just said I need a new headlight.
The problem I have is the headlight looks fine, the bulb works but is off centre when projected at a wall and shakes about when driving at speed.
I don't really want to buy a full new headlight as the cost is very high. Is there a way to repair or replace the internal parts of the headlight?
I'd rather keep the original headlight if possible. Happy to post up pictures of the headlight once I get it off if that helps.
Edited by GMac1 on Saturday 5th February 13:31
GMac1 said:
I'm looking for some help.
My car will fail it's MOT on just the nearside headlight. The guy just said I need a new headlight.
The problem I have is the headlight looks fine, the bulb works but is off centre when projected at a wall and shakes about when driving at speed.
I don't really want to buy a full new headlight as the cost is very high. Is there a way to repair or replace the internal parts of the headlight?
I'd rather keep the original headlight if possible. Happy to post up pictures of the headlight once I get it off if that helps.
Sounds like a job for araldite. My car will fail it's MOT on just the nearside headlight. The guy just said I need a new headlight.
The problem I have is the headlight looks fine, the bulb works but is off centre when projected at a wall and shakes about when driving at speed.
I don't really want to buy a full new headlight as the cost is very high. Is there a way to repair or replace the internal parts of the headlight?
I'd rather keep the original headlight if possible. Happy to post up pictures of the headlight once I get it off if that helps.
Edited by GMac1 on Saturday 5th February 13:31
The final mot is due 8th Feb. I believe it then becomes exempt from the 1st of March. I still want to get it mot'd as it will be up for sale soon and I want it to be in good shape for sale. I'm going to remove the headlight tomorrow and take it apart. Any ideas of type of business that could repair if i can't figure out the problem?
I had a 107 it too had headlight problems.
If memory is correct the reflector part rusts and the silver finish separates from the glass.
Don’t hold up much hope for you, I do not think you can buy new except from MB at a frightening price.
How about second hand? Try e bay or the companies who break MB’s however chances of getting a good one second. Hand are low..
Good luck.
If memory is correct the reflector part rusts and the silver finish separates from the glass.
Don’t hold up much hope for you, I do not think you can buy new except from MB at a frightening price.
How about second hand? Try e bay or the companies who break MB’s however chances of getting a good one second. Hand are low..
Good luck.
Mercdriver said:
I had a 107 it too had headlight problems.
If memory is correct the reflector part rusts and the silver finish separates from the glass.
Don’t hold up much hope for you, I do not think you can buy new except from MB at a frightening price.
How about second hand? Try e bay or the companies who break MB’s however chances of getting a good one second. Hand are low..
Good luck.
Will get it off the car and have a look at the internal parts as that's the only way to find out what's possibly wrong. If memory is correct the reflector part rusts and the silver finish separates from the glass.
Don’t hold up much hope for you, I do not think you can buy new except from MB at a frightening price.
How about second hand? Try e bay or the companies who break MB’s however chances of getting a good one second. Hand are low..
Good luck.
Does the other side have a nut? I ask because that looks like it might be the thread that is turned to move the headlamp position.
If that is the case you may find it easier to build up the plastic inside the hole by putting some thin plastic strips inside it to help the threaded rod grip. I'd be tempted to try slim cable-ties as a first option.
You may also of course be able to replace the whole fixing which may not be too expensive.
Apologies if I am barking up the wrong tree.
If that is the case you may find it easier to build up the plastic inside the hole by putting some thin plastic strips inside it to help the threaded rod grip. I'd be tempted to try slim cable-ties as a first option.
You may also of course be able to replace the whole fixing which may not be too expensive.
Apologies if I am barking up the wrong tree.
Edited by 9xxNick on Tuesday 8th February 10:21
Does the other side have a nut? I ask because that looks like it might be the thread that is turned to move the headlamp position.
If that is the case you may find it easier to build up the plastic inside the hole by putting some thin plastic strips inside it to help the threaded rod grip. I'd be tempted to try slim cable-ties as a first option.
You may also of course be able to replace the whole fixing which may not be too expensive.
Apologies if I am barking up the wrong tree.
If that is the case you may find it easier to build up the plastic inside the hole by putting some thin plastic strips inside it to help the threaded rod grip. I'd be tempted to try slim cable-ties as a first option.
You may also of course be able to replace the whole fixing which may not be too expensive.
Apologies if I am barking up the wrong tree.
Edited by 9xxNick on Tuesday 8th February 10:21
Does the other side have a nut? I ask because that looks like it might be the thread that is turned to move the headlamp position.
If that is the case you may find it easier to build up the plastic inside the hole by putting some thin plastic strips inside it to help the threaded rod grip. I'd be tempted to try slim cable-ties as a first option.
You may also of course be able to replace the whole fixing which may not bee too expensive.
Apologies if I am barking up the wrong tree.
If that is the case you may find it easier to build up the plastic inside the hole by putting some thin plastic strips inside it to help the threaded rod grip. I'd be tempted to try slim cable-ties as a first option.
You may also of course be able to replace the whole fixing which may not bee too expensive.
Apologies if I am barking up the wrong tree.
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