Suggstions for better H-4 fit?

[CrossT]

I've installed a set of H-4's on my Carrera. What I have are the chrome headlamps with the [now] painted trim ring on the outside of the headlamp unit, held on by the odd screw in screw setup.

The tops of the trim rings are not nearly flush with the fender - they are raised. No big deal, but I'm sure others have seen this and was wondering if there is an adjustment possible to make them look flush. You can clearly see what I am talking about below

thx,
todd

[john70t]

I've got the same situation with my H4s.

As far as I can tell, the top of the ring slips down over a small lip and then the rest of the ring snaps over the headlight bucket tabs with a slight interference fit with a single screw to finally hold it all in place. (?)

Mine wouldn't go as the buckets had been repainted and the threaded nut had moved and been replaced. Tried sanding down the paint on the tabs, lubing the ring, and bending the bucket tabs with minimal results and gave up. I didnt want to crunch the ring but I wasen't sure what else could be modified to get it to fit right.

For lack of better term I think it's one of those Pcar quirks.

[oh2fla1a]

Had the same problem with mine - then I tried pushing on the bottom of the inner ring (chrome) while tighting down the inner screw and got it to go pretty flush. The painted trim rings then basically snapped on and sat flush. I did have a heck of time with the new headlight to fender seals - they required a little trimming at the top by the lip on the bucket.
My buddy gave up all together and tossed his seals. That was about two years ago and he has never had a problem. Maybe the seals aren't worth the effort??

Goog luck!

[Milu]

I've just done this one today.

1) Make sure that the rubber gasket is pushed into place properly all the way round.

2) Hold the headlight in place whilst tightening the first screw.

3) Make sure the first screw is screwed all the way in as otherwise it interferes with the fit ov the external bezel ring.

The ring then snaps into place.

[Early_S_Man]

Todd,

All of Milu's suggestions are good ... but I have a couple of others.

1. Make sure that the entire aft (facing rearward) surface of the chrome ring that seats against the rubber seal is lubricated with Armor-All or a similar liguid with rubber lubricating qualities.

2. When you have the headlamp assembly in place and ready to tighten the slotted special screw ... have an assistant put full body weight [180+ lbs is appropriate] on the upper beaded crescent part of the lens and upper part of trim ring ... to force the assembly down as far as possible, then tighten the screw!

If the above doesn't work ... you may as well concede that addition of the outer paintable trim ring actually increases the height of the assembly by 2 - 3 mm, and that additional height may naturally raise the top edge above the line of the fender!

[CrossT]

Thanks guys for all the good suggestions. It seems as if the headlights went in over the lip as expected. I'll try the suggestion of having someone push down as I tighten the inner screw. I suspect that the end result will be [as you sai Warren] they will be raised a bit anyway.

No big deal. If I were to do this again, I'd just get the primered headlights without the trim rings and have them painted. I would rather see the two alignment screws versus the raised trim ring.

thanks again,
todd
86 cpe

[techweenie]

The reason for the trim rings is that the primered rims have to be masked with the screws in place. there are crimped metal 'travel limit' blocks on the shafts of those screws that are steel, and the screws are brass. You can imagine what happens if you try to back the screws out all the way -- you end up with a sloppy mess.

Anything other than the chromed H4s are a compromise, IMHO.