Conerlens (orange reflector) removal from headlights
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AudiWorld Member
Joined: Aug 2008
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Conerlens (orange reflector) removal from headlights
is it true? I have to remove my bumper to remove my headlights?
Also I seen 2 different ways to remove the cornerlens... 1. by breaking it piece by piece and 2. by baking the headlamp.... \\
which is best? are there other ways?
Also I seen 2 different ways to remove the cornerlens... 1. by breaking it piece by piece and 2. by baking the headlamp.... \\
which is best? are there other ways?
AudiWorld Expert
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 27,196
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From: Lexington, MA
the headlamps can be removed without removing the bumper...
...but it is not an easy process. There is one hard-to-reach bolt, and you have to maneuver the headlamp a certain way to get it out.
Once out, you can either bake it, or use a heat gun to loosen the adhesive that hold the lens to the housing. I do not recommend the breaking apart method, as it is easy to scratch the reflectors inside the housing doing it that way.
Once out, you can either bake it, or use a heat gun to loosen the adhesive that hold the lens to the housing. I do not recommend the breaking apart method, as it is easy to scratch the reflectors inside the housing doing it that way.
AudiWorld Member
Joined: May 2003
Posts: 185
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From: Norwalk, CT
can't comment on removal without taking off the bumper but...
...10 minutes in the oven at 250 degrees and the headlight lenses come right off the case. I've used that method with like 6 or 7 headlight assemblies in the last year with no issue. Same deal with reassembly....10 minutes at 250, press everything together while wearing gloves and reinstall the 5 or 6 clips that hold the lens to the case. Done.
AudiWorld Expert
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 27,196
Likes: 2
From: Lexington, MA
Thanks for sharing that info. I will be trying that later myself...
...I've always done the heat gun method (actually, "nene" did it for me), but my passenger side headlamp needs to be replaced now (broken leveling adjuster) so I will be trying the oven method on my replacement headlamp.
AudiWorld Member
Joined: May 2003
Posts: 185
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From: Norwalk, CT
Sure. Just be sure to put the light assembly on...
...something like a wood cutting board or something less heat conductive. The wire rack is metal and more heat conductive and I didn't want to risk any melt marks on the assembly.
A 2" metal drywall spackle knife make it easy to pop the lens out of the case too as it distributes the force over a wider space.
A 2" metal drywall spackle knife make it easy to pop the lens out of the case too as it distributes the force over a wider space.
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Joined: Dec 2007
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From: Denver, CO
yep, not terribly difficult, just be sure not to scratch up the bumper...
I've got a whole gallery of images from my headlight project where I painted the housings and clear-cornered here:
<a href="http://www.charlesrichards.net/v/users/charles/a6/headlight_project">http://www.charlesrichards.net/v/users/charles/a6/headlight_project</a>
hi-tech tool for removal of the stubborn "third bolt":
<img src="http://images.charlesrichards.net/d/88086-7/IMG_6413.jpg">
Use some rags under the lights before you slide them out to keep from scratching the bumper / chrome trim:
<img src="http://images.charlesrichards.net/d/88315-1/IMG_6397.jpg">
great success:
<img src="http://images.charlesrichards.net/d/88321-1/IMG_6415.jpg">
<a href="http://www.charlesrichards.net/v/users/charles/a6/headlight_project">http://www.charlesrichards.net/v/users/charles/a6/headlight_project</a>
hi-tech tool for removal of the stubborn "third bolt":
<img src="http://images.charlesrichards.net/d/88086-7/IMG_6413.jpg">
Use some rags under the lights before you slide them out to keep from scratching the bumper / chrome trim:
<img src="http://images.charlesrichards.net/d/88315-1/IMG_6397.jpg">
great success:
<img src="http://images.charlesrichards.net/d/88321-1/IMG_6415.jpg">
