Headlight issues

[Boydster]

So my headlights have been assembled for 1 day (F5 buckets with Watson's LEDs) and 2 of the 3 little metal clips that hold the mount ring to the lamp housing have broken. Any idea where I can buy replacements? Or perhaps something better? Tried searching and nothing came up....

[Boydster]

http://thefactoryfiveforum.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=78826&d=1515419848

[Joee]

They are the weal link in the assembly. I bend mine every 6 months or so from bumping into headlights in my small garage. I guess I have been lucky I have bent them back quite a few times over the years and they haven't broken. Probably FFR as I have not found a good replacement aside of making your own.

Did you tighten them down? They are designed to just apply pressure while keeping the bend shape that is what holds the bulb in place.

[Ducky2009]

I emailed Tony at FFR (with a pic like your's) and they sent out a new set, free.

[Boydster]

Did you tighten them down? They are designed to just apply pressure while keeping the bend shape that is what holds the bulb in place.

Yeah, I tightened them to where they are secure. Didn't crank on em. I had em sitting on my kitchen table overnight and in the morning, pieces.

[Boydster]

I emailed Tony at FFR (with a pic like your's) and they sent out a new set, free.

I may do that, wanna think about it. Since these broke, I'd hate to see more broken stuff down the line. May make something better.

[michael everson]

After you secure the clips. Run a small bead of silicone in 3 spots between the clips to secure the light. I had one shatter like that recently too. Very poor quality metal.

Mike

[Boydster]

After you secure the clips. Run a small bead of silicone in 3 spots between the clips to secure the light. I had one shatter like that recently too. Very poor quality metal.

Mike

Thanks Mike. I'm also working on making some out of aluminum. Have to see how it works.

[Boydster]

So I got a eureka. The clips are used so that the sealed beam headlight can be replaced on the adjustment ring. Since I'm using Watson's LEDs, the front lens and reflector is simply a housing... Just like on any late model car or truck. I should never have to replace the housing unless it gets broken.

So Mike's post got me thinking... I don't need clips. I'm thinking I can use some hi strength epoxy or silicone to glue / seal the housing to the adjustment ring. If it ever comes loose, it would be easy to clean it up and do it again. Any reason why not?

I've got some really good stuff from work that, although shelf life expired, is still good (just can't use it on aircraft).

Thoughts?

Edit: I'm thinking using sealant in the ring before the housing is installed, then along the back edge of the housing where it meets the ring. So it would be sealed / glued front and back.

[Boydster]

So I fixed er good. Aligned the adjust ring with the lamp and glued it in using some mil spec silicon adhesive sealant. Then I replaced the broken clips (all the clips) with cut pieces of .04 aluminum. Used #6 screws and nuts to tighten down the aluminum pieces. I then ran a nice bead of the adhesive all the way around the back of the lamp where it meets the ring. These things are solid. Tomorrow I'll take the aluminum pieces out and clean em up, make em look nice.

Thanks for the ideas, it worked. On to the next item.

[MPTech]

This is what I did during my build. (But I think Photobucket has this pics locked).

http://www.ffcars.com/forums/17-factory-five-roadsters/301355-headlight-tabs-clips.html


http://www.ffcars.com/forums/17-factory-five-roadsters/303723-fix-loose-headlights.html

[boat737]

For you that have fab'ed up different clips, and have posted your links here, any chance of re posting, or revising, your threads with new or attached pictures? My brain does a lot better with pictures. Thanks.

[Boydster]

I'll post up a pic or 2 when I can get them resized.

[carlewms]

Here is the information from my build thread on the way I handled this situation ...

I had previously modified the clips that hold the ring to the light as done by others before me. Before I install the lights for the final time ... I will use longer screws and some locktite to make sure they don't vibrate off;

https://im1.shutterfly.com/media/47a7db02b3127cceef7a935ca84900000030O29AaOGbRo2bA9 vPhg/cC/f%3D0/ls%3D00006064438420170523222910528.JPG/ps%3D50/r%3D2/rx%3D550/ry%3D400/

There is a piece of rubber under the clip to make sure it doesn't vibrate loose as well.

Carl