Headlight Install

[sojahseh]

Is it just me or is it next to impossible to get the headlights on these cars to clip back into the fender. I remember that removing them was a bit abrupt, and took more force than I had anticipated, but I don;t even feel close to getting them back in. I almost got them to grab, but then realized I forgot the weather stripping foam. Now with the foam in place it feels almost impossible.

Is there a trick I don't know about? Please tell me there's something I'm missing.

The car is an 85 and I am trying to gently put the H1's back into the fender. No luck so far.

Any help does just that...

[porwolf]

Here are af ew links mayb they help:

H4 euro style install frustration

H4 fitting question

H4's keep popping off. What can I do?

Headlight seal

Help! H4 will not close down with new seal (with pics)

Striped my headlight thread at bottom need help

[RSBob]

Porwolf, I have to give you big time credit for doing the search and providing the links rather than the typical, Did you try a search first? You are a good man.

[porwolf]

Originally Posted by RSBob

Porwolf, I have to give you big time credit for doing the search and providing the links rather than the typical, Did you try a search first? You are a good man.

Thanks for the compliments. I had those links on file in my H4 installation folder to prepare for the change over from the sugar scoops. Big light improvement!

[sojahseh]

Porwolf, I too am impressed. Thanks for the leads. I've already read most of them. One question though, is the instal the same for h1's? I would imagine the bezel is the same, no?

Porwolf, I have to give you big time credit for doing the search and providing the links rather than the typical, Did you try a search first? You are a good man.

[porwolf]

Originally Posted by sojahseh

Porwolf, I too am impressed. Thanks for the leads. I've already read most of them. One question though, is the install the same for h1's? I would imagine the bezel is the same, no?

I think the H1 installlation should be the same as the one for the H4's, but I am not absolutely sure. If the H1's have no other mounting provisions than the rim on the top and the one countersunk screw hole on the bottom it should work the same way.

[sojahseh]

Couple more questions...

From reading these threads, it sounds like the headlight is only held on by the lip at the top of the opening, and by the screw at the bottom of the headlight. There seems to be some differences of opinion on this. So I should not be trying to wrap the bezel all the way around the lip in the fender socket?

True?

Also, are the rubber seals supposed to be rings, or are they just 18" of foam cord not connected at the ends? Mine look like 18" lengths of foam.


Thanks in advance...

[McLaren-TAG]

They're rings, I guess the primary function is to create some type of water proof seal. You can read all of the threads and you'll still have some trouble. It's seems to be part art, and part luck getting the things on. In the end, unless you get the lip to bite at the top and the bottom screw to create enough downward pressure to keep everything tight it will "pop" off in a light breeze.

I've had no problem putting them back on after the initial install, perhaps the rings conform to the shape and it's easier after that. I did use a wire tether on the housing as a just in case and I've noticed that they need to be re tightened after a week or so of being on.

OH... one last bit of advice, be patient and go grab a beer to keep your frustration level low. Here's some inspiration.

[chrisbruck]

+1 on "next to impossible"...

Took me two cold ones to have the patience to finally get my H4's to take hold.

[jimrs2000]

If you are not using trim rings just go to the hardware store and buy longer screws......works a treat, makes them very easy to install, there is enough clearance behind the captive nut so there is no problem with the excess screwthread.

[wrxnofx]

Originally Posted by sojahseh

Couple more questions...

From reading these threads, it sounds like the headlight is only held on by the lip at the top of the opening, and by the screw at the bottom of the headlight. There seems to be some differences of opinion on this. So I should not be trying to wrap the bezel all the way around the lip in the fender socket?

True?

Also, are the rubber seals supposed to be rings, or are they just 18" of foam cord not connected at the ends? Mine look like 18" lengths of foam.


Thanks in advance...

In my case, the headlight is held on by the top lip and the screw, but so much more. There was a gap on the left and right side between the bezel and the new gasket, so I had to really push them on in order to close that gap. So now it's not just the top lip and the screw that hold them on but also a pretty intense friction fit. In fact, it is damn near impossible for me to get them off (I've taken them off a couple times in the past few weeks). Unfortunately for me, I managed to somehow dent the painted trim ring at some point with what I can only assume is from my palm, so now I'll have to remove it yet again and hope that some paintless dent removal will work.

Regarding the gasket seal, the original ones I took off were not a ring. It was more like a cord. They left the bottom of the headlight "ungasketed" for probably 3 inches. I assumed someone had cut that area out to make them easier to fit, but it sounds like potentially not.

[porwolf]

I switched from the original sugar scoops to new H4's. From my experience a very important part of the exercise of installing the new headlights was that the bracket at the bottom of the light bucket needs to be bent downward somewhat so that the bottom mounting screw also points substantially downward. I would try to thread the screw without the light assemblies first and make sure that the mounting screw points so much downward that the Phillips screw driver gets very close to the bumper, and maybe even slightly further downward. Threading the mounting screw without the light fixture also gives you a very good idea in which direction the mounting screw should point. This way you may prevent cross threading the screw and ruin your M5 mounting bracket.

[shuzboomer]

I had plenty of fun with my headlights when I went from H2's to euro H4's. The part that I was missing is the slightly longer screw that is nessasary to install the H4's.

I don't know if this is the same issue that you are having but the longer screw fixed my pain.

Good luck!

RBL

[sojahseh]

Ok, so after another hour of trying this I have discovered that both the double threaded bolt, and the nut welded to the inside of the fender are stripped on the passenger side. After closer inspection of the bolt it looks like the threads taper down to almost nothing toward the starting end of the bolt.

Are these M5 threads?

Is there a source for the double threaded bolt? Worst case I could weld another nut to the tab in the fender I suppose, but sheesh.

[Eclectic911]

There should be a small rubber sleeve that fits onto the countersunk screw. This should tighten up the rings to the fender. If this isn't available
try a thin washer between the screw & the tab that the screw goes into.

[DRACO A5OG]

Make certain your ring has a lip to catch the lip of the fender portion bucket, then position over it then gradually lay the lower portion and with the palm of your hand, firmly nudge it into place until it can pretty much stay with out the bottom retaining screw. You want to align so it will be centered the place the screw. Mine are H1's but H4's should be the same.

Jim

[andybullen]

glad to see we're all in the same 'bucket'

[sojahseh]

Originally Posted by DRACO A5OG

Make certain your ring has a lip to catch the lip of the fender portion bucket, then position over it then gradually lay the lower portion and with the palm of your hand, firmly nudge it into place until it can pretty much stay with out the bottom retaining screw. You want to align so it will be centered the place the screw. Mine are H1's but H4's should be the same.

Jim

I did check into that. I'm not sure if it was me or if a PO had trouble, but the lip on the headlight bezel was definitely crushed a little bit from trying to force the lamp on.

Thanks for the tip.

The mounting hole in the bucket is my current problem.



Thanks...

[DRACO A5OG]

Hmm, my po crushed it too, I eneded up prying it back so it functioned as designed.

Post some pics so we have a better idea of your set up.

Jim

[sojahseh]

Hmm, my po crushed it too, I eneded up prying it back so it functioned as designed.



Post some pics so we have a better idea of your set up.



Jim

I will in the AM. I've left my shop for the time being.