Cleaning H1 headlights

[JV44HeinzBar]

Hi,
I got myself a pair of H1 headlights. One has cracked glass, and both need a good cleaning inside and out. My question is, "how does one disassemble the entire headlight?" I've removed the metal wire clips-no problem. I'm just wary about turning the screws located on the exterior of the chrome ring. Right now, I don't see a way to replace the cracked glass with somehow unscrewing the 'adjustment' screws.

TIA,
Brent

PS, i've gone through my Porsche workshop manual and I can't find anything about removing the glass from the headlights.

[DRACO A5OG]

I have H1's with H4 lenses because I liked the look of the H4's. Yes I will go to Concours Hell.

If you removed the retaining clips, the back side should just lift off with out unscrewing anything. Just take care to catch the lens on the good one so it will not get damaged.

The screws are just for alignment purposes, make sure the rubber ends are attached to the assemblies, if they are not, they will just spin and not adjust.

Becareful of the coil adjusters, many of the H1's have broken or rusted away due to the PO over torque.

Also notice where the copper strap are, they are your ground and must touch solid metal to insure lights will work.

PM me if you have any questions.

What I found is If you pre-align them to match it makes it easier to align them on the wall, 25 feet away and the same height of the center of the lenses.

I also shoot the light on a side profile to see if the angle is staight & level.

I highly recommend Daniel Stern's H1 Bulbs they are simply the best in that they completely fill out the ___/___/ pattern. All others have dead spot inclusing PIAA's.

[RWebb]

post a pic of your headlight, guts up

[Mitch Leland]

I can't remember how they come apart, but they do... I think you're right the long screws have to come off. I would soak the screws with a good penetrant, then be careful on removing.

[gtc]

Once you've removed the wire spring clips, pull the adjuster tabs out of the rubber grommets. You may also need to unscrew the lower right adjuster screw (lower left as you look at the back side of the assembly. This will give you a little more slop.
The lens should now be loose, but still held captive by the chrome ring.
Now, facing the assembly from the front, move the lens up and back, away from the trim ring, and rotate it. At this point you should have enough room to pull the bottom of the lens out the front of the chrome ring.

I hope that makes sense.

[Mitch Leland]

BTW, I got new H-1 lenses from Pelican Parts... They also had the screws that attach the chrome bezel to the body. It's been several years since I got these parts...

[DRACO A5OG]

i got a spare H1 Lens too.

[gtc]

Recently I noticed the lenses were down to $38 or so... a screaming deal considering they've been $60+ for the last few years.
... if that matters to anyone besides myself

[JV44HeinzBar]

Well, since I'm going to restore these babies, I see our host doesn't have "super white" bulbs available. Can anyone recommend another site? I hate to ask, but PP list them as NLA.

Also, I'm guessing that I should stick to 55W for the bulbs? If not, suggestions are appreciated.

Brent

[larrym]

there was a nice article on cleaning 'em in October 09 Excellence titled "Got Milk?"

you should be able to get 100W bulbs from JCWhitney or any offroad performance place; or even your local FLAPS i got some recently

[RWebb]

don't waste $$ on "super white" bulbs


get relay, install & use good higher powered bulbs - Daniel Stern has it all worked out so search up his site