1993 W463.227 HEADLAMP REPLACEMENT
The glass shell on one headlamp caused an advisory at MOT, so I bought a new Hella headlamp using the same part number. The headlamp that was delivered had the same part number but the mounting frame was different. Looking at the old headlamp, the frame had the mounting for the headlamp adjuster which was permanently fixed to the frame. Also, the new headlamp had quite different arrangements for attaching the headlamp to the headlamp frame.
So I set about removing the new headlamp from the new frame and remounting it in the old frame. This ended up as more of a "bodge" than I had hoped as the fixed connector to the frame had to be sawn off and the new headlamp connection arrangement was quite different. So it is now using a bolt with spacers between the lamp and the frame. Luckily, I measured all the distances on the old set up before dismantling and I hope I have now got it right.
However, is there a better way to do it?
Thanks!
Sounds like a fettle not a bodge.
It is annoying when the part numbers don't change, even adding a -2 on the end would set expectations.
I've never had the occasions to change 460/463 headlight. Famous last words.
I had a similar problem with one of my headlights (a cracked glass which wasn't an MOT fail but always got mentioned).
I too couldn't get a replacement lamp to fit but unlike you I chickened out of cutting and "fettling" and instead managed to get a second hand but not cracked item from Gav which fitted first time.
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Thanks for the feedback.
My disappointment is compounded by the discovery that my "fettling" was to keep the headlight load adjuster functional. Of course, I now know this has been disconnected at the switch and to be made operational needs a full overhaul. I have no plans to do this.
So it may have been wiser to rip out all the old headlamp arragement and fit the new headlight mount and move on. There are more important issues to take care of on the car!