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View Full Version : Advice removing headlamp covers on a TL



Saab-33
15-06-2009, 10:34 AM
This has nothing to do with wanting to change headlamps, I am wanting to know how to remove the headlamp covers in order to clean the covers. Is it a fiddly job with the TL covers...am I likely to break them just trying to get them off? Do they clip on? What is the best way to clean the covers because mine have become cloudy and I would like to restore a crisp transparency.

Thankyou.

vlad
15-06-2009, 10:49 AM
This has nothing to do with wanting to change headlamps, I am wanting to know how to remove the headlamp covers in order to clean the covers. Is it a fiddly job with the TL covers...am I likely to break them just trying to get them off? Do they clip on? What is the best way to clean the covers because mine have become cloudy and I would like to restore a crisp transparency.

Thankyou.

Are you refering to the plastic headlamp protector covers or the actual headlamp glass?

Saab-33
15-06-2009, 06:15 PM
Sorry, I am referring to the big triangular glass that protects the headlights, not the globes or a plastic cover that sits on the glass. It looks really secure, how do I remove it?

mr_cosmo
15-06-2009, 08:49 PM
You will most likely have to remove the lights as per this thread: http://www.aussiemagna.com/forums/showpost.php?p=872504&postcount=3

Then you "might" be able to pry the glass from the assembly, either with a heat gun to melt the glue if they're put together like that.

Elwyn
16-06-2009, 07:47 AM
Basically, if you are asking about the lens of headlamp assembly - the short answer is that you are not meant to remove it at all. If you are hell-bent on doing it, and willing to take a significant risk of ruining the headlamp completely, the Mr Cosmo's post is spot-on.
In the earlier "3rd Gen" models (TE-TJ) some members also placed the headlamp assembly in a low-temp kitchen oven to soften the adhesive holding the lens onto the lamp housing - this was done to modify the integrated blinker unit (remove an amber internal lens) for reasons of aesthetics.

vlad
16-06-2009, 09:05 AM
Basically, if you are asking about the lens of headlamp assembly - the short answer is that you are not meant to remove it at all. If you are hell-bent on doing it, and willing to take a significant risk of ruining the headlamp completely, the Mr Cosmo's post is spot-on.
In the earlier "3rd Gen" models (TE-TJ) some members also placed the headlamp assembly in a low-temp kitchen oven to soften the adhesive holding the lens onto the lamp housing - this was done to modify the integrated blinker unit (remove an amber internal lens) for reasons of aesthetics.
... and fitting of angel eyes. I've always wanted to fit a row of LEDs inside the lense of mine for DRL use much like the AUDIs

Elwyn
16-06-2009, 10:58 AM
Vlad, that's tempting - the Audi LEDs.... someone's done it in here. The angel eyes are a bit of a "meh" for me. I am seriously considering whether to change from one-piece parras to the glass two-piece - have a KJ with the glass ones and a TJ with one-piece (with a small patch of yellowing, hence my temptation to change).

I'd like to mod some Verada parker-lamps too - put a "repeater" LED on the sides towards the rear of the assembly - either white or an amber as blinker repeater. Was tempted to swap Verada parkers and blinkers, but found I couldn't stretch the standard loom to do it, and unwilling to cut the standard loom (just thought it'd be less-reliable if I started chopping stuff up).