My headlight mod in detail...with pics :-)
01-10-2003, 07:37 AM
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My headlight mod in detail...with pics :-)
Well, it seems there were some people wanting to know how I made the change to my headlights.
Below is the full write up:
First remove the front end
<img src="http://pictureposter.audiworld.com/3125/front_off.jpg">
I did this without taking the wheels off. It takes longer this way but I don't have a decent jack or stands so taking both front wheels off wasn't really an option.
Next you have to get the headlights off the car
<img src="http://pictureposter.audiworld.com/3125/getimage7.jpg">
After that you seperate the lights. There are some clips to remove first. Then the hard work starts; there is quite a lot of glue holding these lights together. I used a flat screwdriver to force the lenses off the body by sliding it all the way around and slowly pulling. It only takes a few minutes but quite a lot of brute force. I then pulled the side reflectors off. You end up with this kind of mess:
<img src="http://pictureposter.audiworld.com/3125/bits_of_light.jpg">
Apart from getting the reflectors off I wanted to make the yellow lenses less obvious. I tried a couple of plastic overhead light lenses from Home Depot but I soon found that nothing could really duplicate the OEM shape and properties. As a temp measure I made some covers to put over the amber lenses from this stuff:
<img src="http://pictureposter.audiworld.com/3125/plastic_cover.jpg">
It only costs around $3 from an art and craft store. The end effect is pretty nice IMHO. Here is a shot showing my light next to a stock light:
<img src="http://pictureposter.audiworld.com/3125/dsc00132.jpg">
and here is a closeup of my headlight during the day:
<img src="http://pictureposter.audiworld.com/3125/eurolight.jpg">
It still has a slight amber shade to it but I love the look overall. At night, it looks fairly stock, apart from the reflector not being there:
<img src="http://pictureposter.audiworld.com/3125/eurolightnight.jpg">
My next stage is to make duplicates of the OEM lens out of clear plastic. There is a plastics place in town I'm going to talk to about doing this for me. Any questions?
Below is the full write up:
First remove the front end
<img src="http://pictureposter.audiworld.com/3125/front_off.jpg">
I did this without taking the wheels off. It takes longer this way but I don't have a decent jack or stands so taking both front wheels off wasn't really an option.
Next you have to get the headlights off the car
<img src="http://pictureposter.audiworld.com/3125/getimage7.jpg">
After that you seperate the lights. There are some clips to remove first. Then the hard work starts; there is quite a lot of glue holding these lights together. I used a flat screwdriver to force the lenses off the body by sliding it all the way around and slowly pulling. It only takes a few minutes but quite a lot of brute force. I then pulled the side reflectors off. You end up with this kind of mess:
<img src="http://pictureposter.audiworld.com/3125/bits_of_light.jpg">
Apart from getting the reflectors off I wanted to make the yellow lenses less obvious. I tried a couple of plastic overhead light lenses from Home Depot but I soon found that nothing could really duplicate the OEM shape and properties. As a temp measure I made some covers to put over the amber lenses from this stuff:
<img src="http://pictureposter.audiworld.com/3125/plastic_cover.jpg">
It only costs around $3 from an art and craft store. The end effect is pretty nice IMHO. Here is a shot showing my light next to a stock light:
<img src="http://pictureposter.audiworld.com/3125/dsc00132.jpg">
and here is a closeup of my headlight during the day:
<img src="http://pictureposter.audiworld.com/3125/eurolight.jpg">
It still has a slight amber shade to it but I love the look overall. At night, it looks fairly stock, apart from the reflector not being there:
<img src="http://pictureposter.audiworld.com/3125/eurolightnight.jpg">
My next stage is to make duplicates of the OEM lens out of clear plastic. There is a plastics place in town I'm going to talk to about doing this for me. Any questions?
01-10-2003, 07:54 AM
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thanks, I don't think I really gave any new info...
others have done better than I with pics and details in the past but we seem to have gained some new members recently who may not have seen those write-ups.
01-10-2003, 07:57 AM
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You're most welcome :-)
Getting the front off is the hardest part IMO. Since you've already done that you're most of the way there...apart from getting it back on of course!
It may help you to make lines on the areas where the lights are mounted. This will help you line them up when you put them back in so that you don't blind people with your xenons :-) You should also get your lights re-aimed (not a word I'm sure!) when you go in for your next service to make sure.
It may help you to make lines on the areas where the lights are mounted. This will help you line them up when you put them back in so that you don't blind people with your xenons :-) You should also get your lights re-aimed (not a word I'm sure!) when you go in for your next service to make sure.
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01-10-2003, 08:14 AM
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the part on the side is a reflector
all TT's in the US and Canada have them. It is very easy to remove (only held in place by 4 small spots of glue inside the light). I chose to leave the holes as they were. Others have filled them with pins and the like...