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How to Change 94-96 L400 Lens

Posted: Tue May 03, 2011 11:47 am
by dennis_lambert
Here is a Quick "How to" on Changing L400, 94-96 Lens.
First I Tried to bake L400 Headlights in the oven and wow what a stink...
I had too sleep in the tent trailer that night...
Here is an Alternative Method of removing Non Compliant Headlight Lens..
It Actually worked Amazing!!

1)Remove Retaining Clips and Place Assembly in Barbecue with Lid open and Glass down for about 10 MIN on med heat**Wear Safety Glasses**
Note:Do not place on side place Glass down as plastic housing cant take the Heat..
barbecue.jpg
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Remove Lens once the Existing Sealant becomes Gooey,I used a wood Chisel and Carefully pried it off by slightly twisting.
pop.jpg
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Now clean the Housing Channel a bit...Not necessary to get to crazy just get the big chunks out so the new lens fits down.
Note:This Sealant is Difficult to get off so try hard to not get it in interior of Housing.
Note:Caution..The Chrome looking Reflective Surface inside is a coating that can be Easily Damaged by rubbing or using harsh solvents.
clean channel.jpg
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3)Fill Channel about half full with fresh Adhesive sealant,place new lens in and Carfully install retaining clips that hold the lens in place while curing,I put them on with a Dab of Goo so they would not fall off..
sealant.jpg
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4)After Cured I Masked off the Bond line and fay sealed once more to fill any voids...
fay app.jpg
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Peel off masking and Voila!!
finished.jpg
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And Finally here is Buffalo Neils Finished install of New E coded Headlights :-D
attachment=1]buffolo neil.jpg[/attachment]
Now we have to take care of this faded plastic...
http://nomadjdmautopartsca.ipage.com/index.html

Re: Fine I will use my own Kitchen!!

Posted: Tue May 03, 2011 12:45 pm
by psilosin
Now you're cooking with gas!! :-D

Re: Fine I will use my own Kitchen!!

Posted: Tue May 03, 2011 1:40 pm
by jessef
Any BBQ sauce ?

Re: Fine I will use my own Kitchen!!

Posted: Thu May 26, 2011 7:25 am
by dennis_lambert
jfarsang wrote:Any BBQ sauce ?
Yep... I Basted it with Bulls Eye!!
Cheers! :-D

Re: How to Change 94-96 L400 Lens

Posted: Mon Mar 30, 2015 8:35 pm
by Simon84
Great tip!
I just did mine and found a good yet long winded video on youtube that helped me figure out how easy it is to get the headlights out.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gNA0JzfCrLs

It also shows you what happens if you bake your headlight pods at 220 centigrade. They melt!

Here's my headlight on the BBQ:

Image

While I was at it I cleaned up the signal light lenses. I used the toothpaste method which I also learned from youtube.

Here's a photo with just one of them done for comparison:

Image

And the lights back on the van:

Image

Re: How to Change 94-96 L400 Lens

Posted: Mon Mar 30, 2015 8:55 pm
by Simon84
One more thing:
I got my lenses from rising sun and they included some adhesive sealant for free. I think its called butyl tape and it worked great!

Re: How to Change 94-96 L400 Lens

Posted: Tue Mar 31, 2015 3:07 pm
by macro
Nice job!