Headlight gaskets

[ed stanley]

I'm a little confused as to how these string-like gaskets go on my son's '72 Ghia convertible. I've installed the headlights and trim rings - doesn't seem to be a place to put them - do they go under the trim ring so as not to show at all? And what holds them in place?

[kingkarmann]

These can be pesky to install. I did it like this;
_Before installing the trim ring place the trim ring seal over the tab at the top of the headlight opening.
_Secure the rest of the seal to the opening with masking tape at the following positions; 1:00-3:00-5:00-7:00-9:00 and 11:00. Do not attempt to stretch the seal as it is joined at the ends and will break.
_Place the trim ring into position and screw it down but not tight. Manipulate the seal into position using a non-marring tool such as wood or nylon.
_Once you have the seal into position tighten the screw and cut the masking tape with a razor where it exits the trim ring.
It takes alot of patience to get it into place. It took me about an hour per side
_________________
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[ed stanley]

Does the gasket show, Kingkarman? Or is it to be sealing under the headlight rim such that it is not noticeable?

[awj_woody]

I had pretty much the same problem. they look odd and the hole has only a small raised lip. mine are just sitting in the garage on the floor untill i buy another headlight.

[iowegian]

If the headlight buckets have been replaced incorrectly, you wont be able to use the seals.

[snookerdude]

after instruction from vince and about 6 hours of frustration i gave up on the new seals. i bought some self stick foam rubber tape in 1/2" width and cut it in half to 1/4" width. i cut it long enough to easily wrap around the bucket, stuck it to the rim and put on the trim. i still have the new seals and will gladly send them for free to any self hating person who wants them.

[Ghiaddict]

^^^^ Too funny, Dave.
Yes, the headlight seals can be a real biatch to install
and it takes tons of patience to get them looking good.

Some times, you'll find not enough lip protruding
at the front of the headlight bucket due to marginal body
repairs in that area (usually involving body filler) or even
a chrome headlight ring that just doesn't fit quite right.
Naturally, that makes the seal fitting that much more difficult.

FWIW, the advice given by KGP&R is to use small drops of
Super Glue to hold the seal in place while fitting. Up until now,
we haven't had to resort to the glue method. If you can spend
an hour or less per side to install the seals, consider it a
small victory.
_________________
****************************

Karmann Ghia & Beetle parts available.
Convertible tops installed.

[kingkarmann]

[ed stanley]

Thanks all.

[flat4ever]

I used some 3M Super Weatherstrip Adhesive (black) Part No 08008/051135. If you or someone else decide to do the same make sure to mask around the headlight first, so that you dont get any adhesive on the outside of where the gasket will sit. Does that make any sense? Hmmm... Well I didnt so I had to clean some adhesive off once the light was assembled, which you ofcourse should avoid

// Pat!
_________________
1970 Karmann Ghia Coupe

[gcw804]

I went through the nightmare of doing some headlight wiring and of course I had to try and reset the gasket. After reading several hints, I used blue painters tape, and it worked like a charm. I put it on the outside of the little ridge on the gasket and placed it pretty much all the way around the headlight. See the first picture.

During: https://www.thesamba.com/vw/gallery/pix/1339259.jpg

Then I tightened the mounting screw up and manipulated the gasket in place if it needed it.

After: https://www.thesamba.com/vw/gallery/pix/1339258.jpg

You can see the gasket is pretty even all the way around.

It took about twenty minutes.

Good Luck!
Gary
[/i][/b]

[c21darrel]

^^Beetle
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http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=481184
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[69_ghia]

This is how I did it. Worked like a charm.

[ebatters]

This gasket looks smaller and better made..shape/definition...than what I have. Do you remember where you got them?

[rbsurfguy]

If the one you have goes right on and is loose or sloppy, most likely it is incorrect. Believe me, almost everyone on here, including me, has complained about how difficult these are to get on and stay on because they are so tight and want to roll back. Like in the pic above, I pre-placed some tape as shown, laid on some adhesive, and rolled the tape over the gasket sticking it to the other side. Work your way around the headlight, leave the tape on for a day or so to confirm it is dry, remove tape, clean up mess of extra adhesive, fit headlight ring, and you should be good to go.

Jeff
_________________
1971 Ghia convertible (Body off rebuild)
2019 VW Atlas 4Motion
2012 Passat-Sold


See my build on The Samba at:
Jeff's 71 Vert Restoration/Reassembly http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=6...highlight=

[sputnick60]

^^^^ That's the method. Tape, glue and cure time.

Nicholas
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'66 Karmann Ghia Cabriolet...
'65 Porsche 356C Coupe...
2005 Mecedes Benz C180 Kompressor Estate
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[itjustbugsme2]

Well apparently it wasn't "Just Me" - Got this Ghia already "body work" and "Paint" done, needed wiring and interior.....but yesterday while working on the interior (cleaning, painting pans - look at my other post) I took a break and looked at the front headlights (which I didn't put in) - They just seemed "not right", so I thought well let me take them apart and put them together the "right way" - MISTAKE - Ring didn't fit right, rubber gasket fell out, can't get back it. nothing seems to fit correctly. That little "take a break" ended up in being 1/2 day "Pain In The......." - Anyway read some post, tips and now I'm more confused - anybody know of a video out there showing installation? Thanks.

[rbsurfguy]

Confused about the ring or the gasket? Try posting some pics of the ring or the mounts in the headlight bucket, might make it easier to provide help, or more confusion, your choice!
Jeff
_________________
1971 Ghia convertible (Body off rebuild)
2019 VW Atlas 4Motion
2012 Passat-Sold


See my build on The Samba at:
Jeff's 71 Vert Restoration/Reassembly http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=6...highlight=

[itjustbugsme2]

I will; was just doing some computer work and google Ghia installation head lights, seen the old text and thought I'd reach out, and share in the "problem" - I'll snap some pics and we'll go from there, thanks.

[itjustbugsme2]

OK; here are some quick pics; I put it back together and right now don't want to take it apart; so what you are seeing in the pics is how I got the Ghia - remember, this was painted and was slowly being put back together when the previous owner just go overwhelmed, so I am finding some things that , I believe just wasn't done right - Pics description:

First: The reason why I thought to take them apart is in the one pic you see the headlight ring - the one that supports - hold the light in extending out of the chrome ring - now I'm not sure if that is how it is suppose to look, stick out as you adjust the beam, but it just didn't look right - let me know.

Second: The picture of the rubber ring; when I took one apart this fell out and I just could see, remember, get it back in.

So that is where I am at with these lights.