Removing glass lens from headlight assembly

glennSKii

Hello!

I have a 1973 Super Beetle. I have searched the forum and the net for over an hour and could not find a thread that covers this topic exactly so i will ask here.

I want to get disassemble my headlights to remove the black crosshairs inside (and clean etc), the lenses seem seal on really good. I don't think i can take off the glass lens without breaking it. They aren't budging at all. Does anyone know of a clever way to safely remove them without damaging them?

The lenses are Hella H4 E20's

Thanks.
Glenn
_________________
presently have a european 73 Super Beetle
Slowly going Baja on it
Just built and installed a 1776cc
Recently had a 1965 Baja (in USA)

hopkin · Posted: Sun Mar 01, 2015 5:29 pm Post subject:

This link has some info (in German). There is a diagram showing how the H4 assembly goes together.

http://www.1600i.de/1600i-mechanik/scheinwerfer/scheinwerfer.html
_________________
1971 Super Beetle (past)
1971 Super Beetle (past)
1974 SunBug (past)
1972 914 (past)
1991 Honda Civic (Original Owner)
1996 'Open Air' Mexican Beetle (current)
2015 Golf (current)
2017 Dune Edition (daughter's car)

Volks Wagen · Posted: Sun Mar 01, 2015 5:41 pm Post subject:

I think those are special headlamps - fadenkreuz scheinwerfer. Not too easy to find ... you would ruin the resale by taking the cross off. If u don't like them, put them up for sale on ebay and buy a normal pair?
_________________
1973 1303 with AB-motor - sporadic
reconstruction as time permits, 1986 ex-Bundeswehr Doka - on the road again.

I'm definitely, probably, the worlds greatest lover.

Aithníonn ciaróg ciaróg eile.

glennSKii · Posted: Sun Mar 01, 2015 6:06 pm Post subject:

Image may have been reduced in size. Click image to view fullscreen.

_________________
presently have a european 73 Super Beetle
Slowly going Baja on it
Just built and installed a 1776cc
Recently had a 1965 Baja (in USA)

glennSKii · Posted: Sun Mar 01, 2015 6:08 pm Post subject:

yes i was considering doing that. i am only missing 1 Hella H4 lens from having a complete setup without these in the pics.

I'd be happy to sell these cheap if the buyer sends me the lens i need

(Hella H4 E4//// or 2 of another design ... for post 1968, of course)

thanks
_________________
presently have a european 73 Super Beetle
Slowly going Baja on it
Just built and installed a 1776cc
Recently had a 1965 Baja (in USA)

Mudpump · Samba Member Joined: May 11, 2007 Posts: 750

What the function of the cross?

glennSKii · Posted: Sun Mar 01, 2015 6:30 pm Post subject:

as far as i am concerned, its function is to piss me off Smile

i hate the look. it isnt even reflective, so i dont see any significant purpose to it.
_________________
presently have a european 73 Super Beetle
Slowly going Baja on it
Just built and installed a 1776cc
Recently had a 1965 Baja (in USA)

Volks Wagen · Posted: Sun Mar 01, 2015 6:50 pm Post subject:

I don't know, I think it's just 'styling' maybe an effort to make the car more race car or rally car looking...? They sell still as modern versions.
_________________
1973 1303 with AB-motor - sporadic
reconstruction as time permits, 1986 ex-Bundeswehr Doka - on the road again.

I'm definitely, probably, the worlds greatest lover.

Aithníonn ciaróg ciaróg eile.

Joel · Posted: Sun Mar 01, 2015 10:27 pm Post subject:

Semi sealed lights like that the lenses are glued to the reflectors, if you want to open them up you'll need to put them in the oven for 10 mins or so to soften up the glue and crack them open delicately with a plastic paint scraper.
Screw drivers tend to chip the glass.

glennSKii · Posted: Mon Mar 02, 2015 12:41 pm Post subject:

thanks so much! that is very helpful. do you know about what temp i should use?
_________________
presently have a european 73 Super Beetle
Slowly going Baja on it
Just built and installed a 1776cc
Recently had a 1965 Baja (in USA)

glennSKii · Posted: Mon Mar 02, 2015 2:55 pm Post subject:

it turns out that it might have been as much about how much the metal edge was pinched down as the glue... hard to tell.

Long story short, i got them both open and only damaged one part on one of them... and i think i can fix it. its the mount of the blinder thingie that keeps the main bulb from sining straight out the lens. I think i will super glue it, then put something else on top of the super glue to add more rigidity.

does anyone know how hot it gets inside there and if i should pick a certain adhesive for those conditions?
_________________
presently have a european 73 Super Beetle
Slowly going Baja on it
Just built and installed a 1776cc
Recently had a 1965 Baja (in USA)

glennSKii · Posted: Tue Mar 03, 2015 6:21 pm Post subject:

so my alterations to the headlights and assemblies is almost complete and i am soon to reassemble. but in the break, the rubber gaskets got destroyed (because the last person to break them down, used heavy amounts of glue. i suspect they were planning on never opening them again).

I have one spare rubber gasket, but that leaves me one short. is there some cool way to make one myself? it would be great to get the car back on the road and not wait for a special order that you take weeks (cars must have headlights on at all times in winter in Poland).

thanks
_________________
presently have a european 73 Super Beetle
Slowly going Baja on it
Just built and installed a 1776cc
Recently had a 1965 Baja (in USA)


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