Headlight Frame change tutorial
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Joined: Oct 2009
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1989 300 SE
Headlight Frame change tutorial
Just put in new frames and learned alot on the way, wrote this tutorial.
Have 17 more photos but can only show first 6. Will list steps and hints here. And all it will cost is a deck of cards.
Theres alot of ways to skin this cat, but the way I did it didn't require removing the headlight assembly, and nothing got broken, so it was a good way to go.
First step was loosening the turn signal, this is done by losening the big white knob behind the headlight, loosen it almost all the way so it has alot of play, now push the turn signal out and away from the headlamp.
Now loosen the 8mm bolt shown in Pivotpoint pic, dont take out this bold because there are matchup parts under it that will get lost if you do.
Remove the other 8mm bolt completely and set to one side. the headlight assembly is fairly free to move now, but still anchored at the bottom.
Now tear a couple poker cards into thirds, these will serve as shims to keep the clips open as you slide the old frame out.
Spray all the clips with a plastic preservative, this will lubricate the dry, brittle plastic and make it less likely to break as you do the next steps.
Very carefully lift the top clip with a medium screwdriver just enough to slide the card shim between the parts. Crewl under the bumper and do the bottom cllip too, this one is tough but lubricate be very gentle with it.
now with both shims in go to the side clip and unclip it. If this is the driver side (US) then the lens can be removed completely.
You will now see the foglight reflector, bulb, and rubber seal.
Don't touch the reflector or bulb, just blow out any dust. Take a Qtip and some rubber preservative and neatly clean the rubber seal around the foglight reflector, this will soften the seal and make fitting the new frame easier.
On the passenger side there is a black plastic baffle held in by a fastener. remove the fastener and lift up to remove. You will likely crack the old frame when you do this- but its the old one- doesnt matter.
keep this fastener and with a sharp knife cut off the tip of the plastic screw in it so you can use it for reinstall of the baffle.
Also before installing the new frames, be sure to remove the old long pegs that have snapped off in the round holes on the upper-outside of headlight assembly (this is important not to miss)
Now with the moving parts cleaned with plastic preservative, gently line up the clips and pegs, and gently click the new frame into place.
Snug down the 8mm bolts, and reinstall any baffles on the inside of assembly, and with headlight snug and frame fully clipped in, now firmly seat turn signal against headlight and back to body- tighten big plastic nut to keep housing firm.
There- its done, if you have any questions, or want the other pics, let me know
Have 17 more photos but can only show first 6. Will list steps and hints here. And all it will cost is a deck of cards.
Theres alot of ways to skin this cat, but the way I did it didn't require removing the headlight assembly, and nothing got broken, so it was a good way to go.
First step was loosening the turn signal, this is done by losening the big white knob behind the headlight, loosen it almost all the way so it has alot of play, now push the turn signal out and away from the headlamp.
Now loosen the 8mm bolt shown in Pivotpoint pic, dont take out this bold because there are matchup parts under it that will get lost if you do.
Remove the other 8mm bolt completely and set to one side. the headlight assembly is fairly free to move now, but still anchored at the bottom.
Now tear a couple poker cards into thirds, these will serve as shims to keep the clips open as you slide the old frame out.
Spray all the clips with a plastic preservative, this will lubricate the dry, brittle plastic and make it less likely to break as you do the next steps.
Very carefully lift the top clip with a medium screwdriver just enough to slide the card shim between the parts. Crewl under the bumper and do the bottom cllip too, this one is tough but lubricate be very gentle with it.
now with both shims in go to the side clip and unclip it. If this is the driver side (US) then the lens can be removed completely.
You will now see the foglight reflector, bulb, and rubber seal.
Don't touch the reflector or bulb, just blow out any dust. Take a Qtip and some rubber preservative and neatly clean the rubber seal around the foglight reflector, this will soften the seal and make fitting the new frame easier.
On the passenger side there is a black plastic baffle held in by a fastener. remove the fastener and lift up to remove. You will likely crack the old frame when you do this- but its the old one- doesnt matter.
keep this fastener and with a sharp knife cut off the tip of the plastic screw in it so you can use it for reinstall of the baffle.
Also before installing the new frames, be sure to remove the old long pegs that have snapped off in the round holes on the upper-outside of headlight assembly (this is important not to miss)
Now with the moving parts cleaned with plastic preservative, gently line up the clips and pegs, and gently click the new frame into place.
Snug down the 8mm bolts, and reinstall any baffles on the inside of assembly, and with headlight snug and frame fully clipped in, now firmly seat turn signal against headlight and back to body- tighten big plastic nut to keep housing firm.
There- its done, if you have any questions, or want the other pics, let me know
