[pjovp]

Hello,
I think I'm posting in the correct place.
Well I decided to restore my headlights instead of buying new or used ones but I have few doubts and would like to have your advice.
I'm going to chrome the inside and polish the glass lenses.

My doubts:
A) How do I unmount them?
In each one of them I can see 3 screws (1 in the front - radiator side + 2 hidden behind the turn lights).
I have unscrewed these 3 but the head light is not coming off....

B) My driver side headlight has the glass completly lose. I can even take it off by just poping the hood. Can this be easily glued and what do you suggest?

C) My passenger side headlight glass looks like had the same problem and was glued before. How do I remove the glass lense of this one?

Sorry for my poor english.
Waiting your advice and help
Thanks,
Paulo

 

[priler]

someone is going to come along and suggest that you finish your information so that we can know what MB you have. might as well get that over with now,..and where(generally) you live. i don't mean in the post. this info can determine the proper answer on several levels and any problems in the future.

 

[pjovp]

You are correct and sorry for not mentioning this.
I have a Mercedes 200D Sportline (W124) and I'm from Portugal

 

[Sam Fuller]

Hello,
I think I'm posting in the correct place.
Well I decided to restore my headlights instead of buying new or used ones but I have few doubts and would like to have your advice.
I'm going to chrome the inside and polish the glass lenses.

My doubts:
A) How do I unmount them?
In each one of them I can see 3 screws (1 in the front - radiator side + 2 hidden behind the turn lights).
I have unscrewed these 3 but the head light is not coming off....

B) My driver side headlight has the glass completly lose. I can even take it off by just poping the hood. Can this be easily glued and what do you suggest?

C) My passenger side headlight glass looks like had the same problem and was glued before. How do I remove the glass lense of this one?

Sorry for my poor english.
Waiting your advice and help
Thanks,
Paulo

Just get the DEPO brand headlight they are re- building them!

 

[Ron500E]

Hello,
I think I'm posting in the correct place.
Well I decided to restore my headlights instead of buying new or used ones but I have few doubts and would like to have your advice.
I'm going to chrome the inside and polish the glass lenses.

My doubts:
A) How do I unmount them?
In each one of them I can see 3 screws (1 in the front - radiator side + 2 hidden behind the turn lights).
I have unscrewed these 3 but the head light is not coming off....

B) My driver side headlight has the glass completly lose. I can even take it off by just poping the hood. Can this be easily glued and what do you suggest?

C) My passenger side headlight glass looks like had the same problem and was glued before. How do I remove the glass lense of this one?

Sorry for my poor english.
Waiting your advice and help
Thanks,
Paulo

Hello Paulo:
Welcome, and you are in the right place.

I just finished restoring my 500E headlamps and here's what I have learned.

1) Go to this site, it has all the information you need to remove and rebond your headlights.
82 Lights, Wipers, Radio, Antenna, Misc Body Electrics

2) Yes, the glass can easily be reglued. In certain models, pre 89 I think, they were designed as removable. Mercedes has a procedure for reglueing the glass along with the part number of the "glue."

3) Do not touch the "chrome" on the inside, it is something called "Vacuum Metalizing," MUCH thinner than chrome plate. If you must clean it use a lens tissue or lens cleaning cloth and distilled water.

4) Use a rotary tool, a Dremel for example, and Ex-Acto knife to clean up all the rough edges, casting flash, on the plastic housing, your hands and fingers will thank you later when you install a new bulb.

5) Get the online EPC, Electronic Parts Catalogue, from Mercedes. It will show you what new parts you will need, like gaskets.

6) Clean all electrical contacts.

I'd stay away from Depo's, some of the new ones have fitting issues I have heard. However I do run them on my 94 wagon.

Don't apologize for your poor English, it is much better than most of our Portuguese.

Atenciosamente,

Ron

 

[pjovp]

Just get the DEPO brand headlight they are re- building them!

Didn't understand what you meant to say...

 

[pjovp]

Hello Paulo:
Welcome, and you are in the right place.

I just finished restoring my 500E headlamps and here's what I have learned.

1) Go to this site, it has all the information you need to remove and rebond your headlights.
82 Lights, Wipers, Radio, Antenna, Misc Body Electrics

2) Yes, the glass can easily be reglued. In certain models, pre 89 I think, they were designed as removable. Mercedes has a procedure for reglueing the glass along with the part number of the "glue."

3) Do not touch the "chrome" on the inside, it is something called "Vacuum Metalizing," MUCH thinner than chrome plate. If you must clean it use a lens tissue or lens cleaning cloth and distilled water.

4) Use a rotary tool, a Dremel for example, and Ex-Acto knife to clean up all the rough edges, casting flash, on the plastic housing, your hands and fingers will thank you later when you install a new bulb.

5) Get the online EPC, Electronic Parts Catalogue, from Mercedes. It will show you what new parts you will need, like gaskets.

6) Clean all electrical contacts.

I'd stay away from Depo's, some of the new ones have fitting issues I have heard. However I do run them on my 94 wagon.

Don't apologize for your poor English, it is much better than most of our Portuguese.

Atenciosamente,

Ron

My main issues are:
- How to unmount the healdlight, where are all the screws located

- The chrome inside is completly wasted and need to be either replaced or chromed. see photos:



I have contacted a company specialized in chroming and they gave me a very good price to chrome these parts and my idea is:
- Take the headlights off
- unmount those chromed parts (should be 4, 2 for each headlamp)
- Take them to the chroming company
- Wash and polish the headlight glass
- Mount everything back.

 

[sbaert]

You need to remove the trim panel below the headlight. Without doing so, you won't be able to remove the headlight.

Looking at the poor condition of your lights, I would suggest finding a pair of used lights from a local yard or look on ebay.de

German fleaBay has them by the dozens.

Buying used lights will probably be cheaper and less time intensive than trying to salvage your current setup.

FYI, the lights are not chromed. They are vacuum metalized, which makes them a bit delicate and not easily reconditioned.

 

[pjovp]

I thought about replacing them but all I see is beautifull inside but then inside that vacuum metalized is poor shape as well.

I heard about German fleaBay. What is this?

 

[Disley]

eBay - eine der größten deutschen Shopping-Websites

 

[pjovp]

so its eBay.... daaghhhh :thumbsup:
thanks a lot

 

[ds190]

new reflector?

About 12 years ago, I was able to order new reflectors for my Bosch euro lights on my 190. Don't remember where or how much, but they were genuine Bosch parts.

Have you thought about buying replacement reflectors instead of recoating yours? Can you find junkyards that might have used ones in good condition?

 

[pjovp]

here is the quote I have from a local parts store:
Reflectors
- Left - 9DE 129 975-021 - 60.96 € + VAT (23%)
- Right - 9DE 129 974-021 - 60.84 € + VAT (23%)
- 10€ from factory shipping (this is the most ridiculous when I'm buying face to face in a shop)
Quote is only for main reflector (H4 bulb) they don't have for the fog light reflector (H3).

New Hella Headlights
- Left - 1EJ 004 440-251 - 204.98€ + VAT
- Right - 1EJ 004 440-261 - 204.98€ + VAT

New Unbranded Headlights
- Left or right - 66,92€ + VAT / each


In Mercedes dealership the price for the reflectors is €55 + VAT (23%).
Its cheaper in the official dealership than in a common shop imagine that!
Couldn't confirm availability for the fog light reflector...

Buying the rfelectros + the work of rebuilding will be more expensive than buy new unbranded headlight and the price of 2nd hand Hella's.
The problem of buying the 2nd hand is that we don't see the interior therefore not knowing what are we buying exactly.
And paying €500 for a pair of New Hella's is just stupidity!!!

Honestly don't know what to do....

 

[Sam Fuller]

Didn't understand what you meant to say...

BUY new ones.

 

[pjovp]

That was my first idea and fast I put it aside. +€500 for new pair of headlights is just ridiculous.
Its almost the value of the car now tell me if this makes sense. lol

 

[Sam Fuller]

That was my first idea and fast I put it aside. +€500 for new pair of headlights is just ridiculous.
Its almost the value of the car now tell me if this makes sense. lol

DEPO is a aftermarket brand. I paid @ $225.00 for new headlights. ebay w124 depo headlights | eBay Remember 1986-93.....are different from 1994-1995

 

[pjovp]

And what is your opinion about the Depo's? Are they good?

 

[deltaplane2001]

I have a 2009 CLS550 and the headlights are starting to haze. I have been reading about Pittmans ALR instead of using a traditional multi process system. Does anyone have experience with this product?

 

[AKHARMON]

I have a 2009 CLS550 and the headlights are starting to haze. I have been reading about Pittmans ALR instead of using a traditional multi process system. Does anyone have experience with this product?

Wrong forum, you have the disposable plastic headlights. What a shame, 3 years old and already hazing. W124's for life!

 

[deltaplane2001]

Thanks for the heads up on the forum.