parts advice

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prwales
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my truck has failed its MOT on a lose headlight, the rubber band that holds the glass to the headlight cone has lost its elasticity, do I glue these together, the cheap option, or do I buy a replacement rubber band, if available, or do I swallow hard and buy a replacement

mgrays
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Re: parts advice

Tiger Glue would probably hold; just put on 5 mins full beam after overnight and see if it can take the temperature. Might as well very carefully clean inside there while you are in there .. lots of soapy hot water and then dry with heat gun .. might need to use Vodka/solvent  with clean cotton cloth if there are marks that will not move.

I would replace with a decent H4 lamp. I went with Mk1 Golf ones with a clear pattern but had to replace the mounting bowls at the same time as the mount is slightly different, I also had to grind out for the sidelight. The new reflectors are far nicer.

The lot I got mine from have disappeared but they are the same as these (but they only supply LHD..)

http://www.jom.de/gb/Lightstyle/Headlights/Volkswagen/Golf-I

Read this old post; http://www.gwoa.co.uk/node/5837

 

prwales
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Re: parts advice

Thanks,

the reflective cone, bulb and front glass are all intact, the only problem is the rubber seal that holds the glass to the reflector, my local Merc dealer have quoted me £11 plus VAT so I've ordered one

g wagon g
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Re: parts advice

If the headlamp is still intact just stick the glass back to the reflector

I would use sikaflex or lion bond that is just polyurethane bonding material. Dont get it on your hands as it takes some washing off . Its the type of stuff they bond windscreens in with. It will stand heat and it wont come apart at all . As long as parts are clean and dry

Its really good stuff. You dont ever see windscreens coming out easily

The rubber o ring seals are just to fill the space from light to body and are not part of the mot

They are just for looks and possibly to help dirt stop dirt and more so mud getting in the gap

My lights were original and the rubber ring type seals just pushed over glass and the headlamp surround kept it in place

They might be glued from new but i could see no glue or anything on mine and they were in good condition

If you get replacement lights there are hundreds on ebay but check for the right backing plate as has been said previous

Main thing is check they are right hand drive ones and not lhd as most are

                                                                G

                                  

prwales
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Re: parts advice

both reflector and glass are in excellent order, the rubber has lost its flexibility and can't hold the glass in place so I've ordered one

g wagon g
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Re: parts advice

The glass should be stuck to reflector 

The rubber serves no purpose to hold glass or headlamp in place

The headlamp bowl/reflector is held with 3 adjusting screws, some have 2 and a spring to keep light in headlamp bowl

When its removed all will be obvious

Before fitting all headlamp surround check sidelight and main bulb are working or you will be taking it apart again

                                                         Gaz

JASONGDS
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Re: parts advice

Please post pic up, don't understand which rubber part you mean? 

g wagon g
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Re: parts advice

Its the rubber gasket thing that fits between headlamp and headlamp pu piece. Yors were on last time i looked as i checked if your lamps were the original items

They were and rubber was there on our lakes trip

prwales
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Re: parts advice

ok so I'll glue it first b4 I refit the gasket, thanks guys

g wagon g
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Re: parts advice

Perhaps we are getting crossed wires

You are telling me the rubber seals are not attached to the light. This is how they are i think and nothing to do with mot

You are saying the headlamp glass has come un stuck from the reflector of headlamp which holds bulb and sidelight

If this is the case just bond it back on as i said

The rubbers on mine just push over rim on glass and the rest will hold them in place

The rubber also stops light shining behind grille a bit but if it does its no issue

hella lamps are good at about 140 a pair or cheap chinese or indian ones for about 30 quid a pair

I have some if you need. They fit ok but are not the best

prwales
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Re: parts advice

My glass had parted from the reflector, sealant applied, glass stuck to reflector, brand new rubber seal stretched into place holding the lot together

Arnie
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Re: parts advice

New lights are about £110 from MB and they have a clear glass without ribs and are somewhat brighter than original Hellas.I would recommend swapping to new ones as they are noticeably brighter.

The rubber surround is only there to fill the gap between the head light unit and the cowling and to shield a little from water ingress.

The headlight glass is bonded to the reflector and if your is loose, you may be able to bond it back with some suitable adhesive.