Edm_l1mpin

After reading through the tech article and searching some posts I decided, hey I've got a couple hours this should be easy - hahahhaha

Luckily I did check that my screwdriver was just too short to reach the third screw, so I picked up an extension when I went to buy the silicon and compressed air. I also bought a little bottle of silver metallic paint, thinking I could paint around the couple holes that were left

It was not until I removed the headlights that I realized you have to drill through the back to get to the tabs (it helps to read all the tech article) so the paint would be little help (unless you have a really really tiny paint brush???). A few things to do (and not to do):
- borrow a dremel from someone, I figured using my power drill would be fine
- make sure the proper size bit doesn't have the end worn out - a bigger ones does more damage :|
- don't sit on the living room floor watching Sunday NFL (a table with a strong light would make it go better)
- that top tab is a little SOB to get a good look at (I don't know what I missed, but without peeling away the rubber the only way I could see it was from the bottom), I drilled a second hole near the first one so I see where the bit was cutting
- drill away all the tab - I left a bit on both with the first headlight I did and it left nice little scratches as I slid it out from the corner
- it helps if your snips are long and narrow. I got frustrated and did make a couple nice scratches moving the insert around to a good position (so I did get to use the touch up paint afterall)
- the compressed air I had (never used it before) leaves liquid if you spray to close to the surface, this makes all the little pieces of plastic harder to get out
- I tried the shopvac, compressed air combo but still had tons of trouble getting all the bits out. Just shaking and tapping seemed to work the best. I read somewhere that a ducktaping a straw to the vacuum works - no straws in the house ... The best thing would be about one foot of 1/2" flexible tubing.
- I took off the high beam (HID) bulb to help get more of the shavings out, and for some boneheaded reason I couldn't figure out how to get the bulb back in. I had convinced myself the clip went over the end when it only goes around it ... (that only took 1/2 hour to figure out)

So all in all I must have done one of the worst clear corner mods, but in the end was happy enough with the results. I just wish I had the right drill, bit and patience to sit at the table and do it a bit better. I read about getting e-codes, but can't justify the $800 for that - I might get the silver codes bulbs that glow orange.

Next steps are to get a shop to take off the front plate holder, fill and paint the holes, fix some rock chips, paint and clear bra. In the new year santa is hopefully bring a chip ... thinking giac.


before
<img src="http://pictureposter.audiworld.com/62512/clear_1.jpg">

after
<img src="http://pictureposter.audiworld.com/62512/clear_2.jpg">

Aman_UnatrlyAspiratd

using a powerdrill just seems crazy! Getting all the shavings out is definitely impossible, luckily most of them sediment downwards, out of sight.

Good Job!!

Aman

36valves

a few scratches in the silver reflective coating but it turned out ok, you don't see them unless you look closely.

I too couldn't justify spending $$$ on ecodes, but now that I have it (came with my S4), the improvement in beam patterm seems worthwhile. Now I just need to retrofit front fog lights for the snowy and foggy days...

Aman_UnatrlyAspiratd

It's tough to do, especially if you want to use the empty oem switchbay and switch. I bought the stinkin switch, but my tech couldn't find the factory wiring 8^/

However, after some progress at the last GTG, things might be looking up....I'll keep you informed.

Later
Aman

36valves

I inquired about this at the dealer, they haven't done this before, not surprising. The prices I got from them weren't that bad, the biggest cost are the fog light assemblies, over $250 each, everything else is not that bad, even the grils with the fog inserts are only ~$70 a piece. Like you said the hardest would be the interior wiring, hopefully it is there, if not I'll have to run it directly off the battery of something.

parapatherappa

Finally someone does some DIY mod - very well done, looks sick :P