Omega Owners Forum

Omega Help Area => Omega General Help => Topic started by: Mutha Jugs n Speed on 15 January 2023, 17:32:04

Title: Headlight adjuster replacement.
Post by: Mutha Jugs n Speed on 15 January 2023, 17:32:04
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 :y
Title: Re: Headlight adjuster replacement.
Post by: Nick W on 15 January 2023, 18:01:42
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.
Title: Re: Headlight adjuster replacement.
Post by: Mutha Jugs n Speed on 15 January 2023, 18:14:48
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 :o  So that's a no all round. Will need to rethink :)
Title: Re: Headlight adjuster replacement.
Post by: TheBoy on 15 January 2023, 18:33:20
Use somebody else's oven.  100C for 10 mins. And good gloves.

Hairdryers and hot air guns are like pissing in a force 9.
Title: Re: Headlight adjuster replacement.
Post by: STEMO on 15 January 2023, 18:35:07
I would imagine it needs to be heated evenly, all the way round, not little bits at a time.
Title: Re: Headlight adjuster replacement.
Post by: Mutha Jugs n Speed on 15 January 2023, 18:42:48
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 ;)
Title: Re: Headlight adjuster replacement.
Post by: dave the builder on 15 January 2023, 18:50:34
Sounds like she needs "re-education"  :P

buy a second hand oven cheap to do the job and then store it somewhere inconvenient ,
obviously kitchen equipment comes from the pink budget   :D
Title: Re: Headlight adjuster replacement.
Post by: Andy B on 15 January 2023, 19:01:58
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.
Title: Re: Headlight adjuster replacement.
Post by: Mutha Jugs n Speed on 15 January 2023, 20:52:58
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 ::)
Title: Re: Headlight adjuster replacement.
Post by: Doctor Gollum on 15 January 2023, 21:01:31
If you're at a loose end, pop down here with them ;)

It won't be the first set of headlights in the oven :D
Title: Re: Headlight adjuster replacement.
Post by: Mutha Jugs n Speed on 15 January 2023, 21:05:35
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.
Title: Re: Headlight adjuster replacement.
Post by: Doctor Gollum on 15 January 2023, 21:08:48
Think preface lift lights are internally the same* if that helps.

*for adjuster purposes.
Title: Re: Headlight adjuster replacement.
Post by: Mutha Jugs n Speed on 15 January 2023, 21:52:42
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  :y
Title: Re: Headlight adjuster replacement.
Post by: cam.in.head on 16 January 2023, 10:57:43
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.
Title: Re: Headlight adjuster replacement.
Post by: TheBoy on 16 January 2023, 17:55:04
If you're at a loose end, pop down here with them ;)

It won't be the first set of headlights in the oven :D
Use this offer ;)

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

Title: Re: Headlight adjuster replacement.
Post by: TheBoy on 16 January 2023, 17:56:01
Obviously, I'm not local, but happy to put them in her oven as well.
Title: Re: Headlight adjuster replacement.
Post by: Migv6 le Frog Fan on 16 January 2023, 18:37:05
Ive removed several lenses quite easily using a heat gun. Just have to be careful not to get carried away and start melting things.
Title: Re: Headlight adjuster replacement.
Post by: TheBoy on 16 January 2023, 19:11:54
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?

;D
Title: Re: Headlight adjuster replacement.
Post by: Mutha Jugs n Speed on 17 January 2023, 08:26:45
 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 ::)
Title: Re: Headlight adjuster replacement.
Post by: Mutha Jugs n Speed on 17 January 2023, 11:54:50
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 :-\
Title: Re: Headlight adjuster replacement.
Post by: Kevin Wood on 19 January 2023, 20:06:01
Wait until SWMBO goes out.  :y
Title: Re: Headlight adjuster replacement.
Post by: dave the builder on 19 January 2023, 20:12:32
Wait until SWMBO goes out.  :y
BUT
ask her what setting the oven knobs need to be on first
headlights don't need microwaving, steaming or especially NOT grilling  :o
Title: Re: Headlight adjuster replacement.
Post by: Doctor Gollum on 19 January 2023, 22:03:47
Low and slow.

Ten minutes at 55°C is just right for that perfect pulled lens :D
Title: Re: Headlight adjuster replacement.
Post by: Mutha Jugs n Speed on 20 January 2023, 07:29:02
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! ;)
Title: Re: Headlight adjuster replacement.
Post by: Doctor Gollum on 20 January 2023, 11:05:32
Your welcome Ken, good to catch up  :y

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  :D
Title: Re: Headlight adjuster replacement.
Post by: Nick W on 20 January 2023, 11:29:22


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
Title: Re: Headlight adjuster replacement.
Post by: Mutha Jugs n Speed on 21 January 2023, 10:24:06
Cheers all, for the tips and will have a play with rest of the spare ones :y