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[Mutha Jugs n Speed]

I know that the recognised method of separating the lens from the body, is sticking the whole thing into the oven and heating it up to soften the sealant to gain access to the broken adjuster. But just having received a red card in relation to using the oven and kitchen as a workshop ( I only want to do four) bit harsh, so  that looks like a no! So the question is....has anyone either used a hair dryer or a heat gun to do the job and will it work? Now looks like I'll be  the green house for me if the advice is good. tia

[Nick W]

Hot airgun: tried that, got bored before any of the glue got soft.
Hair dryer: wouldn't bother, see above.


10minutes in the oven on the lowest setting reactivates the adhesive enough that separating the lens is easy and mess free.

[Mutha Jugs n Speed]

Unfortunately it's a life threatening situation, with SWMBO, sort of like a grenade with the pin pulled and she's holding the spoon getting ready to release it, just as I put my hand on the oven door   So that's a no all round. Will need to rethink

[TheBoy]

Use somebody else's oven.  100C for 10 mins. And good gloves.

Hairdryers and hot air guns are like pissing in a force 9.

[STEMO]

I would imagine it needs to be heated evenly, all the way round, not little bits at a time.

[Mutha Jugs n Speed]

Looking for a S/hand one on market place, I've got power in the greenhouse, just bury it pots and bags of compost when not in use, sort of blend it into the back ground.....could work

[dave the builder]

Sounds like she needs "re-education" 

buy a second hand oven cheap to do the job and then store it somewhere inconvenient ,
obviously kitchen equipment comes from the pink budget   

[Andy B]

When I split my Omega's headlight I just gently prised the lens until I got a Stanley knife blade in & gentle sliced the glue .... no oven or heat used.
When re-fitting, there was enough tacky left in the glue to just press the 2 halves back together.

[Mutha Jugs n Speed]

I'll certainly try the Stanley knife....was thinking of using clear Sika flex to reseal if that works. Still think that having my own personal oven is a nice idea, and still worth thinking about

[Doctor Gollum]

If you're at a loose end, pop down here with them

It won't be the first set of headlights in the oven

[Mutha Jugs n Speed]

Just to mention the situation trying to find new adjusters....the only ones that I've found are on stealbay, at £25 a pop delivered from Belarus....yeah whatever on that one! luckily I have around a dozen, plastic and a few silicone, but have eight headlights in all that need fettling.

[Doctor Gollum]

Think preface lift lights are internally the same* if that helps.

*for adjuster purposes.

[Mutha Jugs n Speed]

I hope that I'm going to have enough adjusters, and may well have a few more of the aluminium originals which I bought up after the guy who was making them died. I just need to be shown how to change them without my usual anger management, bull in a china shop, six fingered approach to fiddly stuff PM incoming 

[cam.in.head]

they can be replaced without removing the lens. yes its fiddly but can be done. with the adjuster motor and bulb out helps. hardest bit was getting the old one out.
worth a try first especially if you were thinking of removing the lens in the end anyway.nothing to loose.

[TheBoy]

If you're at a loose end, pop down here with them

It won't be the first set of headlights in the oven

Use this offer

Honestly, anything else (not using an oven) is going to be a massive pain.

[TheBoy]

Obviously, I'm not local, but happy to put them in her oven as well.

[Migv6 le Frog Fan]

Ive removed several lenses quite easily using a heat gun. Just have to be careful not to get carried away and start melting things.

[TheBoy]

Ive removed several lenses quite easily using a heat gun. Just have to be careful not to get carried away and start melting things.

Omega ones are quite large, and all I getting a bit old (read brittle) as well.  Hence I'd only recommend oven.

Did I mention an oven is the way to do this?

[Mutha Jugs n Speed]

 Because it's something I don't have any experience of, and new units aren't available anymore, except for LH drive  cars only. So it's a matter of trying to work with what's available, and stealbay sellers at most times don't have a clue that they are selling units with broken adjusters for silly money, plus there's the hassle of returning them back and getting a refund. So all I'm trying to do is work with what I have, and Dr G has kindly offered to run me through a how to session, rather than me breaking something by steaming into unknown territory......I'm sort of prone to do that

[Mutha Jugs n Speed]

Thank you Jamie, got the 'oven' hint' There's a diy version of an oven on Youtube and the guy does his headlights with it really well, looks a wee bit sketchy but it worked a treat. So may have a try doing that also

[Kevin Wood]

Wait until SWMBO goes out. 

[dave the builder]

Wait until SWMBO goes out. 

BUT
ask her what setting the oven knobs need to be on first
headlights don't need microwaving, steaming or especially NOT grilling 

[Doctor Gollum]

Low and slow.

Ten minutes at 55°C is just right for that perfect pulled lens

[Mutha Jugs n Speed]

Many thanks to Dr G yesterday for the how to session, crap quality adjusters came out in pieces and replaced with silicone ones. Got a few more to do, but now have an insight into what's needed, going to send  swmbo on a round the world cruise.....and the ovens all mine!

[Doctor Gollum]

Your welcome Ken, good to catch up 

As and amendment to the guide process, I would suggest that unclipping the white ball sockets from the headlight reflector and clipping them to the adjuster before fitting the adjusters. Then once the adjusters are fitted to the case the reflector should simply clip back onto the adjusters as you reassemble the lights

An Isle of Wight cruise should be long enough 

[Nick W]

As an amendment to the guide process, I would suggest that unclipping the white ball sockets from the headlight reflector and clipping them to the adjuster before fitting the adjusters. Then once the adjusters are fitted to the case the reflector should simply clip back onto the adjusters as you reassemble the lights

That's how I do them.


While they're apart, clean the inside of the lens, blow all the crap out of the case, and try not to get fingerprints over the chromed plastic. It's also a good idea to check that the manual adjuster screws haven't seized - it's very easy to break the cap off them if that's happened

[Mutha Jugs n Speed]

Cheers all, for the tips and will have a play with rest of the spare ones