Installing H4 buckets help

[lada03]

Guys,
Is there a trick to installing the H4 headlight buckets?

I put on new seals, they are thick. I cant get the chrome ring to catch the lip.

Should i shave down the seal?

[Showdown]

Are you sure the seals are on in the right orientation, if they’re flipped, then they’ll protrude too much and make installing the headlight trim impossible. If they are in the right orientation, then you really just have to force it down so that the trim catches that little tab. The tighter fit generally means that they’re not gonna pop off when you’re driving, ask me how I know about that.

[David Inc.]

The seal isn't that strong, don't shave it. Make sure it's seated properly (there's a proper orientation), and just push push until the bucket gets over the lip.

[bmcfarland]

I had the same problem, ultimately ordered and installed thinner seals. The following thread may be helpful - http://forums.pelicanparts.com/porsche-911-technical-forum/765751-headlight-install.html

[Rtrorkt]

yep, fiddle with it. Took me a good 30 minute per side to get them to catch both the top lip and then to get the set screw to thread. I would also like to give a shout out to the diabolical guy who designed the retaining springs. Cursed him every minute of trying to put them in place

[lada03]

Does the placement of the seal look correct?

Onthe other headlight the nut where the buttom screw screws in broke off

Another headache to deal with

[David Inc.]

This should help: http://forums.pelicanparts.com/9930240-post23.html

[lada03]

Still cant get it to catch the lip.


But it does help

[lada03]

Any pelicans in the west palm beach, FL area that could help ?

[FA-18C]

Lada - have been through this challenge, and not yet fully resolved, but took a break for my mental health.

Many of the H4 assemblies lip is very tight, which makes catching the flange hard on a good day. If you can CAREFULLY increase the lip to give you a better bite, that will help some. On my car, the H4s do not fit well, at all. I have LEDs, and they do not fully seat. A winter project will be to fit some steel rings, and prep and paint those to be done with it.

The headlights and AC makes me think some items were designed after a couple of days into Oktoberfest celebrations. Or they have a really odd sense of humor.

[lada03]

Yeah, I would never expect it to be such a pain.

Maybe i will find a local Porsche shop to help

[Soterik]

Originally Posted by lada03

Yeah, I would never expect it to be such a pain.

Maybe i will find a local Porsche shop to help

May I ask where you got your H4's? Not all are made the same, some are from Magnetti Marelli out of Europe with correct chrome over brass trim rings... some are by AL, there's still some original Bosch H4's floating around....

And then... there's the "made up" h4's. This happens when someone buys the Hella European VWBeetle/356Porsche headlight assemblies that are still being offered new... and then swaps the trim rings to the 911 style ones that are widely available from URO.

The trim rings from URO are smaller in diameter both on the outer edge of the trim ring, and also on the inner opening where the glass fits. The difference to OEM is about 2.5mm to 3mm. In addition, the URO trim rings are made out of stamped steel, and not out of chrome plated brass. The brass "based" trim rings have more flex than the URO steel as well being made out of brass.

The made up H4's are offered by a LOT of people... and you can usually tell who they are as they offer great deals on their leftover VW/356 trim rings.

In regards to the seals... with my H1's I include the smaller diameter 356 seal as that's what I've had the most success with. A friend of mine who who works for 2 Porsche shops on an independent basis has found success with both the smaller seal that I offer, and the larger 911 type seal which is made out of a more compressible foam. Depending on the car he's installing the lights on, he's had to sometimes "trim" the seal where the lip is to get the ring to catch (original trim rings, or mine from the H1's I manufacture).

A magnet will help you tell if you have steel URO trim rings, or the OEM brass ones.

[FA-18C]

Was hoping you would pile it Erik!

[Rtrorkt]

Drive it on out to Scottsdale, enjoy the weather and we can work on it over a beverage. I found that sometimes helps

[lada03]

One of the H4’s was already installed on the car when i bought it. Its Bosch, made in the Czech republic.
I removed to change the bulb. The other side had a mismatched H1 light that i sold to fund a matching H4 used light (made in Germany)

Ring seals have been purchased from our host.

I would like to think that H4 lamp that i tried to fit is genuine and not pieced together

Originally Posted by Soterik

May I ask where you got your H4's? Not all are made the same, some are from Magnetti Marelli out of Europe with correct chrome over brass trim rings... some are by AL, there's still some original Bosch H4's floating around....

And then... there's the "made up" h4's. This happens when someone buys the Hella European VWBeetle/356Porsche headlight assemblies that are still being offered new... and then swaps the trim rings to the 911 style ones that are widely available from URO.

The trim rings from URO are smaller in diameter both on the outer edge of the trim ring, and also on the inner opening where the glass fits. The difference to OEM is about 2.5mm to 3mm. In addition, the URO trim rings are made out of stamped steel, and not out of chrome plated brass. The brass "based" trim rings have more flex than the URO steel as well being made out of brass.

The made up H4's are offered by a LOT of people... and you can usually tell who they are as they offer great deals on their leftover VW/356 trim rings.

In regards to the seals... with my H1's I include the smaller diameter 356 seal as that's what I've had the most success with. A friend of mine who who works for 2 Porsche shops on an independent basis has found success with both the smaller seal that I offer, and the larger 911 type seal which is made out of a more compressible foam. Depending on the car he's installing the lights on, he's had to sometimes "trim" the seal where the lip is to get the ring to catch (original trim rings, or mine from the H1's I manufacture).

A magnet will help you tell if you have steel URO trim rings, or the OEM brass ones.

[Bill Douglas]

I've just been trough this myself.

Hook the top in and push it back and down. Line up the screw hole at the bottom. Keep firmly pushing back and down as you do up the screw.

Don't cross thread the screw. Do a practice run without the headlight in place so you can see what the angle is.

Good luck.

[lada03]

The new seal covers the lip, i cant even hook the damn thing unless i lift the seal above the lip


Im afraid i use force to push it down and in, something bad will happen

[JTL]

I fought for an hour or two with these couple of months ago. Decided to install without seals as I just couldn't get it done, like what you are going through. Found a thread where 356 seals were recommended instead of the 911 seals since they are thinner. I just got a pair of them delivered but haven't tried to install yet. I'm really hoping they will work better...

[Spetrow]

Bend the lip out with duck bill pliers. I had to go around a few times. I also bent the flange on the ring our without denting. 1/2hr per lamp fitting time. https://www.knipex.com/products/gripping-pliers/duckbill-pliers/duckbill-pliers/3303160

[Ralph3.]

The tab looks a little short.