M42club.com - Home of the BMW E30/E36 318i/iS
FAQ / REFERENCE => How-To's => Topic started by: keflaman on November 17, 2013, 08:29:03 AM
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Stuffed in a box in the trunk of the car I most recently purchased were two fog lights; one with severely pitted lens and the other was cracked with gaping holes. With a little searching I came across a thread on E30Tech: http://www.e30tech.com/forum/showthread.php?t=47457 and went from there.
Does this look familiar?
(http://imagizer.imageshack.us/v2/640x480q90/820/diz9.jpg) (https://imageshack.com/i/msdiz9j)
Instead of a hammer, I used a spring loaded punch. Tip: Mask the lens off with tape to prevent the punch from sliding across the glass. The tape will also cut down on flying glass!!
(http://imagizer.imageshack.us/v2/640x480q90/577/uu4v.jpg) (https://imageshack.com/i/g1uu4vj)
Safety glasses and heavy gloves strongly recommended!!After a couple of "whacks" the glass started to crack into several sections...
(http://imagizer.imageshack.us/v2/640x480q90/17/w64y.jpg) (https://imageshack.com/i/0hw64yj)
Prepare the light housing to accept the new lens by cleaning out all the glass and old black sealing material...
(http://imagizer.imageshack.us/v2/640x480q90/849/ycsm.jpg) (https://imageshack.com/i/nlycsmj)
Inspect the new lens for "flash" and burrs. Clean up the edges so the lens will sit in the channel you cleaned up in the previous picture...
(http://imagizer.imageshack.us/v2/640x480q90/62/rgmm.jpg) (https://imageshack.com/i/1qrgmmj)
I used 3M Weatherstrip adhesive and filled in the channel. It will flow out and level off nicely...
(http://imagizer.imageshack.us/v2/640x480q90/89/4n74.jpg) (https://imageshack.com/i/2h4n74j)
Install the lens and place some weight on the face to hold in place. Walk away for ~24 hours...
(http://imagizer.imageshack.us/v2/640x480q90/823/4idd.jpg) (https://imageshack.com/i/mv4iddj)
At the same time I bought the lens, I also ordered a set of 40 mil Lamin-X covers for $17.95 + shipping http://www.lamin-x.com/BMW-E30-88-91-Fog-Light-Covers-p/b106.htm. Installation was easy, but I didn't take any pictures of the process.
Apply a thin bead of adhesive between the front and back edges of the lens and slide the gasket into place. I did this one edge at a time in order to get the gasket to sit flush to the lens.
(http://img809.imageshack.us/img809/1848/nrgc.jpg) (http://imageshack.us/photo/my-images/809/nrgc.jpg/)
I still have to cut the holes for the adjusting screw caps, but that's it.
(http://imageshack.us/a/img189/7312/f09u.jpg)
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Nicely done! I see they have E30 ellipsoid covers (http://www.bmwlight.com/bmw_e30.htm) in plastic too.
Too bad there aren't any E23 parts, I need a set of Euro fogs. Spare covers would make the search that much easier, LOL.