Hey people,

I thought i'd splurge and purchase some Phillips +80s for my TL. I've loved phillips globes in the past so i thought it was time to put some in this car.

As many of you know, the TL isn't the friendliest vehicle to change globes in, but not impossible. Anyway the problem i've come across is that whist trying to remove the drivers side low beam globe the retaining spring mechanism has come away from the headlight unit, meaning that there is nothing to hold the new globe in place.

I tried all afternoon to push/fit it back on with limited success, it would just pop off with any amount of pressure. This morning i attempted to remove the headlight unit whole, but couldn't get anywhere. I used instructions found on here, but lack of expertise and equipment, more the expertise thing got me nowhere. Anyway, i've managed to fit it back on, and it's was secure enough to plug back in, but i didn't want to risk the rubber seal. I'm skeptical as too how long it will stay there.

My questions are, how bad is it to leave the rubber seal off? And, I want to get it fixed properly, so where should i take it? Mechanic, auto electrician, naturopath?

Thanks in advance everyone.

Grant.

I assume you're talking about the rubber boot that goes over the back of the light to stop dust and stuff flying into the light? You'd need that to stop said crap filling the light. I'm sure a mechanic\panel beater etc could do it in a few minutes for you, I got my panel beater to change my light bulbs as I cbf'd trying to contort myself into those tight spaces haha

Thanks for the reply mate. If i get time today i'll pop by a couple of panel beaters.

Cheers.

I had the same problem, but I persisted after two hours and skinned knuckles I finally got it back in...for me it was worse, it was the passenger side headlight, and can only fit that one on by feel alone. Worse case scenario if you do it yourself is to take the headlight out.

It would be easy if with the headlight out. But it's not easy to get the headlight out. Thanks for the encouraging words though.

Grant

Hey Waldog,

I am assuming that there is a round metal ring, on which the retaining spring hinges - and the whole lot has come off the plastic moulding of the lamp unit?
I remember this happening a while back, and the member had pics showing the set up.

From memory, there were some metal tabs inside the ring, which are meant to dig into the sides of the plastic moulding, and by digging-in prevent the metal ring from slipping backwards. I'd suggest bending the metal tabs inwards a bit - so they have more resistance on the plastic. The tabs have to face towards the back of the car so they "dig in" and (hopefully) prevent the metal slipping back.

Assuming you have the metal ring re-mounted as I suggest, you could then get a bit of two-part Epoxy putty, knead it up well and bog it aroung the metal ring and onto the plastic lamp unit (on the outside, well away from retaining spring and bulb contacts etc). Once the epoxy putty has cured, that should be a fairly decent bond - you could rough up the plastic a bit (AFTER you have the metal ring mounted) to increase the bond of the putty.

Now all this is said by a bloke in TJ's who hasn't lived the Hell of TL/TW headlamps, and based on my memory of a previous issue. Hope this helps.

Just a FYI if you decide to go the light removal route: http://www.aussiemagna.com/forums/showpost.php?p=872504&postcount=3 explains the steps needed to take the lights out on a TL\TW

Hey Waldog,

I am assuming that there is a round metal ring, on which the retaining spring hinges - and the whole lot has come off the plastic moulding of the lamp unit?
I remember this happening a while back, and the member had pics showing the set up.

From memory, there were some metal tabs inside the ring, which are meant to dig into the sides of the plastic moulding, and by digging-in prevent the metal ring from slipping backwards. I'd suggest bending the metal tabs inwards a bit - so they have more resistance on the plastic. The tabs have to face towards the back of the car so they "dig in" and (hopefully) prevent the metal slipping back.

Assuming you have the metal ring re-mounted as I suggest, you could then get a bit of two-part Epoxy putty, knead it up well and bog it aroung the metal ring and onto the plastic lamp unit (on the outside, well away from retaining spring and bulb contacts etc). Once the epoxy putty has cured, that should be a fairly decent bond - you could rough up the plastic a bit (AFTER you have the metal ring mounted) to increase the bond of the putty.

Now all this is said by a bloke in TJ's who hasn't lived the Hell of TL/TW headlamps, and based on my memory of a previous issue. Hope this helps.

Hey mate,

You wouldn't believe it i just got home from the hardware store with some of that exact stuff in my hands only to find your response. I've got it on pretty snug at the moment, so i'm going to go and get it all "stuck" up and leave it for the weekend, and fingers crossed she'll be apples.

Thanks again for your input!!

Grant.