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Read the WELCOME ALL BMWFANATICS post.
Chef's E39 530d
- Thread starter ChefDJ
- Start date
Silverbird_96kw
///Member
Naughty times...
RAArmstrong
///Member
ChefDJ said:Silverbird_96kw said:RAArmstrong said:Chef hasn't even shown me any pics
:fencelook:
:fencelook:
Not my fault you left for Boereworsfontein...
I'm not in Boereworsfontein, I'm in Little England :fencelook:
Silverbird_96kw said:
:withStu:
RAArmstrong
///Member
rodga said:
One of the many powers we have as Mods :rollsmile:
Silverbird_96kw
///Member
ChefDJ said:
Its popping now
ChefDJ
///Member
A slight update with regards to one of the most common problems on older BMW's: the brake light contact burn that forces most to buy a complete new tail light. Common on E36, E39, E53 and E60 that I know of, but not sure on E46 etc.
Anyways, this happened to my left brake light:
That hole encircled is not supposed to be there; it should be almost flat for the socket to make contact.
It's very easy to remove the light. Simply 4 no.8 nuts that need to be loosened and the electrical plug that needs unplugging and that's all.
Pull out (that's what she said).
Pic from behind where the amp is:
You are left with one very old light that has never been removed before (and so it sticks to the car body quite a bit):
There's that bloody burn:
I now don't have a pic of the repair process or result, but I basically filed away around the burn to better expose the raw metal because the solder does NOT stick easily. It just runs all over the show and if you aren't prepared it will run down into the lens cover.
Thanks to Nikhil for the following advice: stick a bit of tinfoil under the hole in order to try fill the hole with solder. Sounds easy but there's no way to secure the foil in place. Nevertheless I managed and finally got a droplet in place, and filed it down a bit for easy fitting of the globe and ultimately for the socket to make contact to the terminal.
A cheap yet bitch-like repair - much better than having to buy a new light unit. As it is, the older beemers' parts are becoming increasingly hard to find.
Also, the first time I removed the light it needed some TLC because of the Laminex I used over the indicators and reverse lights:
This stickiness was like a thick gel and would not come off with water and a cloth. My buddy Wayne (Silverbird) got started cleaning the things and I decided to run out and get a moerse bottle of acetone to aid the process. Worked like a charm and both lights were removed for proper cleaning. Dankie Silwervoël!
Upon removal of the lights I was met with 13 years worth of horror:
Managed to remove most of it, but I can't get the rest off. Maybe the detailers can advise:
Fitted, looking and working like new:
Do I want to Laminex the clear sections again? Can't decide if I prefer it dark or light. Thoughts?
Thanks for looking :chef:
Anyways, this happened to my left brake light:
That hole encircled is not supposed to be there; it should be almost flat for the socket to make contact.
It's very easy to remove the light. Simply 4 no.8 nuts that need to be loosened and the electrical plug that needs unplugging and that's all.
Pull out (that's what she said).
Pic from behind where the amp is:
You are left with one very old light that has never been removed before (and so it sticks to the car body quite a bit):
There's that bloody burn:
I now don't have a pic of the repair process or result, but I basically filed away around the burn to better expose the raw metal because the solder does NOT stick easily. It just runs all over the show and if you aren't prepared it will run down into the lens cover.
Thanks to Nikhil for the following advice: stick a bit of tinfoil under the hole in order to try fill the hole with solder. Sounds easy but there's no way to secure the foil in place. Nevertheless I managed and finally got a droplet in place, and filed it down a bit for easy fitting of the globe and ultimately for the socket to make contact to the terminal.
A cheap yet bitch-like repair - much better than having to buy a new light unit. As it is, the older beemers' parts are becoming increasingly hard to find.
Also, the first time I removed the light it needed some TLC because of the Laminex I used over the indicators and reverse lights:
This stickiness was like a thick gel and would not come off with water and a cloth. My buddy Wayne (Silverbird) got started cleaning the things and I decided to run out and get a moerse bottle of acetone to aid the process. Worked like a charm and both lights were removed for proper cleaning. Dankie Silwervoël!
Upon removal of the lights I was met with 13 years worth of horror:
Managed to remove most of it, but I can't get the rest off. Maybe the detailers can advise:
Fitted, looking and working like new:
Do I want to Laminex the clear sections again? Can't decide if I prefer it dark or light. Thoughts?
Thanks for looking :chef:
Silverbird_96kw
///Member
:rollsmile:
Il Laminx again soon, just changes the rear look. We will get the proper ones, but give it time till you "bored" for the clear look :clapper:
Il Laminx again soon, just changes the rear look. We will get the proper ones, but give it time till you "bored" for the clear look :clapper:
OppositeLockMT
Active member
I prefer the darker look :coolShake:
Good work, the section behind my taillights was just as dirty when I swapped mine out.
Good work, the section behind my taillights was just as dirty when I swapped mine out.
RAArmstrong
///Member
Clear FTW!
Clear lenses are giving the car a really clean look. I really like them on the 5er.
I'm not sure what products you tried with to remove the dirt from behind the lenses, but I would give it a bash with meguirs or any other apc. Use a stronger concentrate of the apc with a brush to agitate. I knows it worked wonders on the inside of my bonnet and behind my lenses.
Cars looking bud.
I'm not sure what products you tried with to remove the dirt from behind the lenses, but I would give it a bash with meguirs or any other apc. Use a stronger concentrate of the apc with a brush to agitate. I knows it worked wonders on the inside of my bonnet and behind my lenses.
Cars looking bud.
ChefDJ@TheFanatics said:
DO NOT, i repeat DO NOT go anywhere near paint or even plastic with acetone.. it will be fine initially but you will damage the paint or in plastic case will end up dulling the plastic...
theres a product builders warehouse sells called GOOGONE. another option. goto chemist and buy EUCALYPTIS oil. stuff works a bomb.
as for cleaning up behind the lights real nice, get a polishing bit on a drill...
some polish... first a light cut.. then a polish.. and a wax (helps with rust etc)
