H4 Headlight assembly - wire springs?

[MBAtarga]

First off, I've tried a search, but the infamous 3 letter minimum screws me over trying to find "H4".

I purschased a set of new H4 lamps about 3 years ago. I disassembled them (knowing that I would certainly remember how they go back together ) and gave the headlight rings to a "friend" who does body work and shoots Glasurit paint. Long story short, I was fortunate to get the parts back from him, but he had not painted them. I gave them to a body shop owning friend and he got them back (painted!) to me this week. I'm trying to re-assemble them. I can't figure out how the spring clamps hold the inside ring to the lamp assembly. There are 2 different shapes of the wire clamps. Looks like 1 type is bent so that it can sit under the other. I just can't tell. Does anyone have pictures or a description of how these clamps alternate around the lamp shell to hold the ring on?

[imcarthur]

Mark

Here's some pics I took before I installed mine . . .





Hope it helps.

Ian

[911K]

I took photos of one of my H4s before replacing a lens. Here you go...

[PSJoyce]

I’d strongly suggest wearing safety glasses when working with those springs. I came close to finding out the really hard way.

Paul

[MBAtarga]

Thanks guys! Those pictures are great. Looks like the placement is not critical - just fairly evenly spaced around the ring. Another example of how great this forum is...

[911rudy]

You are going to be surprised that there are two ways to put those springs and it looks almost identical to the one above but it will not fit over the flange at the top of the fender. If it is on wrong, the spring goes all the way to the outer edge of the lamp and up under the lip. This prevents the lip from locking over the top fender lip. I did this the first time and thought my IQ had fallen to a new low.

[shuzboomer]

Hi MBA,

It looks like I am in the same boat with you; I have acquired a used set of H4's for my 86 Targa. After replacing a chipped lens, I can no longer fit the headlight on the car. It looks like the lower screw is not making contact with the threads.

I am stepping away from the vehicle, before I apply to much enthusiasm to the problem.

Does anyone have any suggestions; it seems that 911rudy might be on to something...

Thanks in advance,

RBL>

[shuzboomer]

It did not occur to me earlier... When installing the new H4's, do you reuse the original screw from the H2 housing?

Looks like the new screw should be a bit longer to make contact with the threads.

Anyone had same experience? My H4's did not come with the lower screw.

[Nine9six]

Originally Posted by MBAtarga

Thanks guys! Those pictures are great. Looks like the placement is not critical - just fairly evenly spaced around the ring. Another example of how great this forum is...

That is exactly correct! This is not rocket science, here.

[Nine9six]

Originally Posted by shuzboomer

Hi MBA,

It looks like I am in the same boat with you; I have acquired a used set of H4's for my 86 Targa. After replacing a chipped lens, I can no longer fit the headlight on the car. It looks like the lower screw is not making contact with the threads.

I am stepping away from the vehicle, before I apply to much enthusiasm to the problem.

Does anyone have any suggestions; it seems that 911rudy might be on to something...

Thanks in advance,

RBL>

Sometimes the tab gets nudged in (bent back) to far. If memory serves, sucessrful screw engagement has not been more than 3 threads past full engagement.

Sometimes it helps to have a second set of hands pushing on the headlight, and compressing the rubber gasket seal to achieve thread engagement.