![]() |
|
|
|
charles
|
Replace H4 headlight lens
Driving home this weekend I stop and the stop sign 2 blocks from home and hear 'pink, crackle crackle'. Get out of car and the headlight assembly lay on the road - somehow, the screw holding it in at the base must have backed out as it was no where to be found?
I have a replacement lens ordered - but looking at the headlight assembly it looks like you have to disassemble the entire unit to replace the lens? Is there an easy way to do this? Thanks |
||
![]() |
|
Registered
|
There are some funky metal spring clips that hold the glass in place against the housing. Take them off one at a time and pay attention to the orientation. Not rocket science but mine were aggravating and took a few tries to get them all back on spaced correctly.
__________________
'87 911 Carrera Coupe (go fast, small parts / small kids hauler) '04 Toyota Land Cruiser (go slow, go anywhere, haul everything, the "AntiPrius") |
||
![]() |
|
Registered
|
Take GOOD pictures of the way and type of clips used first.
|
||
![]() |
|
Registered User
Join Date: Oct 2010
Location: BRONX NY
Posts: 1,485
|
You might want toreplace the seal to save yourself from any moisture in the future. Ask me how I know? Lol.
__________________
Tony 91 964 c2 black/ Work in progress/Finally back on the road 85 EURO 930 Black slightly moded slowly reviving her 77 911tt EFI wide body red/ Slightly modified ![]() ![]() ![]() |
||
![]() |
|
Registered Cruiser
Join Date: May 2004
Location: Pursuing Happiness
Posts: 3,892
|
Saw this happen at a local autocross a few years back. Bummer. When you replace the lens it's a good time to attach a lanyard/zip tie from the lens to the inside bucket to prevent, well you know...
Do both sides while yor in there. The little screw is totally inadequate to hold that assembly in place.
__________________
87' Carmine Red Carrera - Keeper 82' Silver SC - Sold 79' Gran Prix White SC - Sold 05' Black C2S - Daily driver I have never really completely understood anything. |
||
![]() |
|
Banned but not out, yet..
|
Before you reinstall the whole assembly, use a large zip tie secured to the H4 assembly and the what ever you can find in the headlight bucket - even the wire loom. If it comes loose, it won't hit the ground.
__________________
An air cooled refrigerator. ‘Mein Teil’ |
||
![]() |
|
![]() |
Formerly known as Syzygy
Join Date: Mar 2008
Location: Calgary, AB
Posts: 4,420
|
Quote:
And some safety glasses are probably a good idea as those clips can spring out and fly across the room. Or into your eye.
__________________
Kevin 1987 ROW coupe, Marine blue, with a couple extra goodies. The cars we love the best are the ones with human traits, warts and all. |
||
![]() |
|
Spiderman
|
++1 on safety glasses. Don't discount the possibility of flying springs. I had one go 20' across my garage and under a cabinet, PIA to find. Very old school headlight retention but they do work.
__________________
Midnight Blue 08 Cayman S, Fun/Track Black 12 VW-GTI, work Mexico Blue 87 Carrera, sold, sad, not enough garage space. |
||
![]() |
|
Registered
Join Date: Jan 2009
Location: Marietta, Ga (Atlanta)
Posts: 2,970
|
Better yet, remove your other headlight, place side by side, and use it as a guide on spring clip replacement. Makes it real simple.
__________________
'80SC Widebody 3.6 transplant Anthracite "The Rocket" Long gone but still miss them all: '77 911 Targa, '72 BMW 3.0CS Coupe(finest car I ever had!) '71 911T Coupe White, '70 911T Coupe Blue '68 911 Coupe Orange, '68 911L Soft Window Targa |
||
![]() |
|
Registered
|
While you're in there projector Hi/lo HIDs are readily available on Ebay.
|
||
![]() |
|
Registered User
Join Date: Oct 2010
Location: BRONX NY
Posts: 1,485
|
Lights
Tell us more about this please.
__________________
Tony 91 964 c2 black/ Work in progress/Finally back on the road 85 EURO 930 Black slightly moded slowly reviving her 77 911tt EFI wide body red/ Slightly modified ![]() ![]() ![]() |
||
![]() |
|
charles
|
Thanks for replies.
Is it necessary to unscrew all of the adjuster screws in order to pull the reflector off and slip new lens in, or is there an easier way? thanks ![]() |
||
![]() |
|
![]() |
Functionista
Join Date: Jul 2011
Location: CO
Posts: 7,717
|
I generally pull the rubber grommets off with screws and lift lens off. You can make new rubber pieces out of vacuum line if needed.
Also the factory retaining method is not THAT bad as long as all hardware/seals are in good condition and metal tabs and H4 rings are properly formed. Some additional retaining is a good precaution as these are 40+ years old. I also like to try and pull them off by hand when done mounting. If they shift at all or lift off the top tab some more adjustment is required.
__________________
Jeff 74 911, #3 I do not disbelieve in anything. I start from the premise that everything is true until proved false. Everything is possible. |
||
![]() |
|
Registered
|
FYI, that's an H1 assembly, not an H4, so if that's your light assembly you need an H1 glass. Same dynamic in your work.
Previous post to mine indicates that you pull the adjuster metal "arrow" out of the rubber grommet, or remove the grommet entirely and then replace as he indicated. Individual springs are available from the VW guys for cheap vs a Porsche supplier. Have fun!
__________________
http://www.autoforeignservices.com/ 57 Speedster, (4) 67S coupe's, (2) 67S targas, 68L Rally car etc. etc. |
||
![]() |
|
charles
|
Thanks for method for replacing lens, and for pointing out it is an H1 not h4 headlight - time to order a lens.
Charles |
||
![]() |
|
Registered
Join Date: Sep 2002
Location: Bend, Oregon
Posts: 1,167
|
I restore H1's and they can be a little tricky. The screw that's attached to the spring coil will probably be impossible to remove. But you can just leave it attached to replace a lens. Pull the prongs on the two adjustment screws that have them out of the small rubber tubes on the large reflector. Then back off the other adjustment screw that screws into the high beam adjuster. Remove the spring clips and you can then wriggle the housing away from the lens and chrome trim ring. PM me if you have any problems and I'll try to help.
__________________
John Audette - Porsche Lighting Specialist Vintage Porsche Light Restoration - LED Headlights Site: www.AudetteCollection.com Store: www.911Bestinclass.com |
||
![]() |
|
charles
|
Thanks John
I hope to tackle it this weekend, and will ping you if I get stuck. Charles |
||
![]() |
|