Can loose reflector inside headlight housing be fixed?
Thread Starter
Member
Joined: Aug 2008
Posts: 203
Likes: 0
From: No. Calif., SF Bay Area, Orinda
2001 E430, Obsidian Black w. Ash/Orion Grey, 195,000 mi.
Can loose reflector inside headlight housing be fixed?
This is a weird one! I was changing one of the low beam headlight bulbs on my 2001 E430 and noticed that the reflector (the housing that the bulb attaches to) inside the headlight assembly was loose! That is, I can grab the rear of the bulb and rock the reflector up and down. From the front of the car, you can see the reflector moving up and down. The low and high beam side both move together so they must be a single piece of plastic. The on on the other side of the car doesn't do this.
My question is: Is this something I can fix by tightening up a fastener or do I need to replace the headlight cluster? If I can fix it, can I do it in situ or do I need to remove the headlight cluster? This means removing the bumper, right?
Has anyone else had this problem? Any help or ideas will be greatly appreciated.
Fred
My question is: Is this something I can fix by tightening up a fastener or do I need to replace the headlight cluster? If I can fix it, can I do it in situ or do I need to remove the headlight cluster? This means removing the bumper, right?
Has anyone else had this problem? Any help or ideas will be greatly appreciated.
Fred
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 5,939
Likes: 178
From: Seattle WA
99 E320
in my head, i seem to recall 4+ plastic fittings which are interspersed around
the perimeter of the headlight. the silver painted inner shell is attached to
the gray outer housing via these fittings and secured by adhesive and/or
the same gray sealant which serves as the sealant/gasket for the clear
outer lens.
why would it wiggle? hmmm, i'd have to have the headlight opened in front
of me, but either impact damage, sloppy construction (hard to imagine if
OEM unit), or the goo just isn't enough. i'll look at the one I have opened
up on the project bench when i get home.
I know that when oven heated, that's all it takes (a few mins) and the inner
reflector is removed and in your hand. in other words....easily removed.
if it's that simple, perhaps adhesive squirted onto the fittings is all that is
needed. (any other guesses?....jump in)
the perimeter of the headlight. the silver painted inner shell is attached to
the gray outer housing via these fittings and secured by adhesive and/or
the same gray sealant which serves as the sealant/gasket for the clear
outer lens.
why would it wiggle? hmmm, i'd have to have the headlight opened in front
of me, but either impact damage, sloppy construction (hard to imagine if
OEM unit), or the goo just isn't enough. i'll look at the one I have opened
up on the project bench when i get home.
I know that when oven heated, that's all it takes (a few mins) and the inner
reflector is removed and in your hand. in other words....easily removed.
if it's that simple, perhaps adhesive squirted onto the fittings is all that is
needed. (any other guesses?....jump in)
Thread Starter
Member
Joined: Aug 2008
Posts: 203
Likes: 0
From: No. Calif., SF Bay Area, Orinda
2001 E430, Obsidian Black w. Ash/Orion Grey, 195,000 mi.
Fred
Thread Starter
Member
Joined: Aug 2008
Posts: 203
Likes: 0
From: No. Calif., SF Bay Area, Orinda
2001 E430, Obsidian Black w. Ash/Orion Grey, 195,000 mi.
in my head, i seem to recall 4+ plastic fittings which are interspersed around
the perimeter of the headlight. the silver painted inner shell is attached to
the gray outer housing via these fittings and secured by adhesive and/or
the same gray sealant which serves as the sealant/gasket for the clear
outer lens.
why would it wiggle? hmmm, i'd have to have the headlight opened in front
of me, but either impact damage, sloppy construction (hard to imagine if
OEM unit), or the goo just isn't enough. i'll look at the one I have opened
up on the project bench when i get home.
I know that when oven heated, that's all it takes (a few mins) and the inner
reflector is removed and in your hand. in other words....easily removed.
if it's that simple, perhaps adhesive squirted onto the fittings is all that is
needed. (any other guesses?....jump in)
the perimeter of the headlight. the silver painted inner shell is attached to
the gray outer housing via these fittings and secured by adhesive and/or
the same gray sealant which serves as the sealant/gasket for the clear
outer lens.
why would it wiggle? hmmm, i'd have to have the headlight opened in front
of me, but either impact damage, sloppy construction (hard to imagine if
OEM unit), or the goo just isn't enough. i'll look at the one I have opened
up on the project bench when i get home.
I know that when oven heated, that's all it takes (a few mins) and the inner
reflector is removed and in your hand. in other words....easily removed.
if it's that simple, perhaps adhesive squirted onto the fittings is all that is
needed. (any other guesses?....jump in)
Am I correct that post facelift cars require bumper removal to get at the fasteners for the headlight assemblies?
Thanks,
Fred
Senior Member
Joined: Apr 2006
Posts: 463
Likes: 8
From: Long Island, NY
01 E320
I have that problem on one of my headlights. I attached a rubber band to the bulb connector and gently pull the band out the top of the housing. I screwed the cap over the band to hold it. The rubber band keeps the reflector firmly seated upwards (which point the light downward). My headlights appear aligned perfectly. Solution has worked for years now.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 5,939
Likes: 178
From: Seattle WA
99 E320
you know....if i'm not reading while at work, my comprehension level goes up. 
yeah, i was too narrow minded in my reading. In haste, I pictured and projected
my own headlight which is of projector design.
We can assume that the OP's headlight is a reflector design in halogen or HID
since projectors weren't made for that year.
Unfortunately, I sold my OEM reflectors and can't remember what it looks like
inside. All that blather and I came up empty handed in my contribution.
yeah, i was too narrow minded in my reading. In haste, I pictured and projected
my own headlight which is of projector design.
We can assume that the OP's headlight is a reflector design in halogen or HID
since projectors weren't made for that year.
Unfortunately, I sold my OEM reflectors and can't remember what it looks like
inside. All that blather and I came up empty handed in my contribution.
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Thread Starter
Member
Joined: Aug 2008
Posts: 203
Likes: 0
From: No. Calif., SF Bay Area, Orinda
2001 E430, Obsidian Black w. Ash/Orion Grey, 195,000 mi.
Thread Starter
Member
Joined: Aug 2008
Posts: 203
Likes: 0
From: No. Calif., SF Bay Area, Orinda
2001 E430, Obsidian Black w. Ash/Orion Grey, 195,000 mi.
Fred
