Headlamp (H4) re-install questions

[Tom '74 911]

Hello -
I am having a hard time re-installing the H4 Headlamps on my car. I've had them off many times and always fight them back on. The "clip" at the top doesn't want to stay attached when I tighten the screw at the bottom. The rubber sealing ring makes it difficult to get the "clip" at the top seated firmly it would seem. I've done this countless times and usually one side goes back in easily and the other I end up fighting until it finally sets on the 100th try - with me sweating and cursing what should be a 2 minute job.

Does anyone have any tips that might help ease my pain?

The rubber seal is a whole separate thread - mine seem to split at the seem quite frequently. I'm not putting any undue pressure on them that I know of. I've been searching for an adhesive that will hold them back together and may have found one (super glue!) that works - as I've got a few broken extras lying around.

Thanks,
Tom

[tcar]

They split at the SEAM pretty easily. Be VERY careful putting it on.

You may have the rubber seal installed incorrectly, making it too thick. Easy to put it in backwards. Or sidewards.

Originally Posted by Tom '74 911

Hello -
I am having a hard time re-installing the H4 Headlamps on my car. I've had them off many times and always fight them back on. The "clip" at the top doesn't want to stay attached when I tighten the screw at the bottom. The rubber sealing ring makes it difficult to get the "clip" at the top seated firmly it would seem. I've done this countless times and usually one side goes back in easily and the other I end up fighting until it finally sets on the 100th try - with me sweating and cursing what should be a 2 minute job.

Does anyone have any tips that might help ease my pain?

The rubber seal is a whole separate thread - mine seem to split at the seem quite frequently. I'm not putting any undue pressure on them that I know of. I've been searching for an adhesive that will hold them back together and may have found one (super glue!) that works - as I've got a few broken extras lying around.

Thanks,
Tom

[4sd911]

The wire clips on the back may be reversed.

[Trog]

Vaseline.

[Tom '74 911]

Originally Posted by tcar

They split at the SEAM pretty easily. Be VERY careful putting it on.

You may have the rubber seal installed incorrectly, making it too thick. Easy to put it in backwards. Or sidewards.

Yes indeed. That'd be SEAM, not SEEM. They seem to split at the seam. Is there a way to verbally describe the correct orientation? I've tried a few. The one that SEEMs the most natural to me is having the skinniest part of the rubber seal sit in the recess between the fender and the headlight bucket - basically where the seal goes. Maybe I'll try to take some photos to help describe.

Thanks,
Tom

[Tom '74 911]

Originally Posted by 4sd911

The wire clips on the back may be reversed.

What wire clips? I don't think there are wire clips involved in installing H4s. If that's the problem though, then I'd love to know the correct orientation!

Thanks,
Tom

[Tom '74 911]

Originally Posted by Trog

Vaseline.

Vaseline solves a lot of problems for sure. Are you saying that lubing up the top of the seal helps the top of the headlamp slide over the clip more completely? I'll give that a try.

Thanks,
Tom

[tcar]

Ha.

Tom, the 'flat' face of the seal goes against the fender (look closely, it's subtle), but new seals do make it more difficult to put the ring on - it's thicker.

It seems that buying 4 seals to get 2 on that didn't split at the seam.

No wire clips? Hmmm. That sounds like the H4 that fits into the 'sugar scoop' mounting ring. No wire clips. The 'euro' H4 has wire clips in the light itself and has a different 'thin' ring.

Tom

Originally Posted by Tom '74 911

Yes indeed. That'd be SEAM, not SEEM. They seem to split at the seam. Is there a way to verbally describe the correct orientation? I've tried a few. The one that SEEMs the most natural to me is having the skinniest part of the rubber seal sit in the recess between the fender and the headlight bucket - basically where the seal goes. Maybe I'll try to take some photos to help describe.

Thanks,
Tom

[rw7810]

I've had the same problem with slitting gaskets. What glue have folks found that works good and putting tham back together ??

[tcar]

Use 3M weatherstrip adhesive on the SPLIT. Put elect tape around the repair.

Put the repair on the bottom of the light, right above the screw attachment.

[Ryce Stallings]

I've had luck doing it this way.

If you are careful you can tack glue the seal to the body to keep the seam from splitting as easily. Streatch the seal down from the top (so the seam ends up at the bottom) and put two little glue dabs on the bottom. Let it dry and them install the H4.