Bokx_350

Add me up to the broken foglight list

I just noticed it today, it might have happened a while ago, who knows, but this have never happened to me before in none of my previous cars. There is defenetly something wrong with the design or glass of these foglights.

Anyways, to those who have gone though this process, whats the most "affordable" solution?

white46

fix the broken fog-light yourself, parts cost around $100, bolts are little awkard but it's doable. not too hard.

put clear 3m film on it (which I did) or buy plastic fog cover from ebay.

Bokx_350

Did you buy from your dealr or the web?

nyca

xpel.com

white46

i bought it from dealer.

Spec_Davis

Lamin X

Ron Jr

First take off the trim T10 torx this will give you access for the next part. You will need a T12 torx to get the screws out (4) to make your life easier take the bulb out first and put it in the drain hole so you don't hit it while taking the housing out. After unscrewing the four torx you have to wiggle it out of its mounting area. If it is the passenger side it is fairly easy to get the old light out through the wheel well, just three fittings then peal the inner wheel well out. Drivers side not so easy as the windshield washer resevoir is in the way so as well as the aheel well liner you have to pop one fastner off the bottom pan and one screw (8mm socket) then remove/install through the floor pan. Reinstall is the oposite of removal though I did mount the lights before closing the wheel wells. Good luck.

tpick23

I thought the black mesh around the lamp comes off with the 3 torx screws to expose the lamp housing. 3 or 4 more torx screws and the housing comes out so the bulb can be removed. This not right? I replaced one on the CLK in this manner.

Ron Jr

Bulb is easy. Remove three torx reach in the hole grab the socket and turn comes right out with plentu of slack to change the bulb. The OP has to change the actual light (reflector and lens). It is a bit of a PIA because of tight space and not being able to see the torx head (T12). I just took mine out last Sunday as the bodyshop put them on the wrong side and I had to work on Sat (VERY RARE). I originally put the Torx apex on a 1/4 inch ratchet but there isn't much room to turn it so I dug out an old SnapOn stuby screwdriver handle that takes Apex's and it was a lot easier (to bad I remembered it after the drivers side was reinstalled).

white46

hahahaha. yes. this job was PITA because of torx facing inwards. it's not hard, just time consuming.

Bokx_350

Thanks for the info Ron. It is the drivers side's btw. I will definitly do this myself, but it wont be for now since I can't set aside a whole morning right now.

dkh2

I had a broken fog light after three weeks of ownership. Lamin-x is worth it.

chilledbenz

I have a broken one as well (Sport model) I just squirted some super glue in there to stop water from getting in and said the heck with it. They want an ungodly amount to replace them, so as long as its working I'll look redneck for awhile.

You are 100% right when you say its a design flaw, I was talking to my service adviser and he said they have had a lot of Sport models coming in with broken fogs, but no Luxury models. Makes sense if you look at the Luxury models the fog lights are set deeper in the bumper, the Sport models have the fogs stuck out in front where all the debris can hit them.

w204_c300

Where can i find T12 Torx bit? ive search online and in stores no one has it in so cal.

comanche

My passenger side fog light is broken also. The glass broke. Not sure why. I didn't hit anything or heard anything. I found the fog lense/glass on the ground of my garage...
I assumed it should be under warranty. Replacing the whole fog light is expensive. All I need is just the lense/glass cover.
Do you know how and why this happens? To me, it seems like it broke by itself due to temperature or manufacturing defect.

Ron Jr

T12 is fairly common, but a cheap assortment set at any computer parts store. You can use the security type as the torx portion is the same.

Ron Jr

It is not just a lens it is the whole light assembly that will need to be replaced.

popejp41

Here in Florida they use a plastic film sort of like thick tint on some home windows and call it hurricane protection, it is supposed to elimanate shatter. Something like that may help the glass on the fogs from breaking.

Ron Jr

www.lamin-x.com

Lamin-x film is thick and should prevent breakage. I use the yellow on mine.

Derspeed

Clear-bra is basically the same thing and often both are sold at a single retailer. Here in Ohio, it's used on windows of buildings in high crime areas. Keeps the bricks from going through.

OP, get xpel or lamin-x for the next one.

Krytech

I think I might just get the clear lamin-x to put on to protect them. I've heard too many reports of them breaking. It will be my ounce of prevention...

w204_c300

After asking this question i try a T-15 from the multi-set and it fits perfectly.. did the fog change myself under an hour... 1 fog unit is 140 here in so cal.

cvkatigbak

yeah, lamin-x. rocks just bounce off

Ron Jr

Sorry could of swore it was T12.

Derspeed

East of the Mississippi.