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Thread: Advice on how to remove the lens off the headight

  1. #1
    Join Date
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    98' 323is, 06' 530i

    Advice on how to remove the lens off the headight

    The internal lens came off. I want to open the headlight assembly and glue it back into place. However, I can't figure out how to pop open the headlight assembly without damaging it. I don't want to force anything and crack the lens or the housing. I watched a bunch of youtube videos and none has this type of headlight. Thanks in advance!
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  2. #2
    Join Date
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    E36 318iC 6mt vert
    I don't think you can separate the lens from the housing.

  3. #3
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    On a Toyota you can heat it up in an oven to soften the glue.

    Look for the recipe on the internet YMMV https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=anN0vYBj6Uo


    this may be your only option.

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yD7k809DtWA
    Last edited by gc325is; 06-15-2019 at 06:11 PM.

  4. #4
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    They sell aftermarket replacement outer lenses for the e36 so id assume its removable. Use acetone and a heat gun sparingly to free the old adhesive bond. If glass gets too hot it will warp and likely be unusable.

    Sent from my VS987 using Tapatalk

  5. #5
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    Quote Originally Posted by gc325is View Post
    On a Toyota you can heat it up in an oven to soften the glue.

    Look for the recipe on the internet YMMV https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=anN0vYBj6Uo


    this may be your only option.

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yD7k809DtWA

    Nice, this is a good start. I'll give it a whirl. If it fails then I'll have to get a new headlight anyway. Thanks so much!

  6. #6
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    You need to bake them, check the lighting forum, there might be a thread about. Google found this, see post #4 https://www.bimmerforums.com/forum/s...63#post9466063
    Last edited by jmo69; 06-16-2019 at 05:04 PM.

    Gave away my BMWs, driving a VW and an Audi now.

  7. #7
    Join Date
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    Quote Originally Posted by jmo69 View Post
    You need to bake them, check the lighting forum, there might be a thread about. Google found this, see post #4 https://www.bimmerforums.com/forum/s...63#post9466063
    I was able to removed the lens from the headlight assembly last night. I baked it for 10min at 250F. It was still a lot of work removing the glue. I used a small flathead screwdriver to scrape it away. Thanks for the info!

  8. #8
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    Your not done yet.... How do you put it back together?

    Silicon glue Butyl rubber epoxy?

  9. #9
    Join Date
    Feb 2018
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    Atlanta, GA
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    1999 BMW 323iC Orig Ownr
    I was unsuccessful using the bake and shake recommendation.
    Part numbers are: Right 63-12-1-387-864 / Left 63-12-1-387-863
    Not cheap.

    1999 323iC (E36 Convertible)

  10. #10
    Join Date
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    E12, E12, E36, E39
    I'm sure OE isn't cheap, but knock offs, likely not as good as brand new OE, but better than 20 year old ones are cheap. Under $100 at Amazon for the pair. Ebay probably has similar.
    98 328is
    02 525ita
    80 528i
    81 528ia
    and decades of owning and driving BMWs

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