Headlight frame screw to body size?

[my_vw_sucks]

I pulled my headlights to get them all cleaned up. In pulling the headlights I left the frame to body screws on the bumper. Moved on to other projects while the headlights were drying and, well, drove away with them still on the bumper while running to the auto parts store.

Anyone have any idea what size they are? I can only find info on the adjusters in search.

[markswagen]

half inch eights.
_________________
markswagen {mobile mechanic} san diego area all early VW's cared for.

619 201 0310

[DanHoug]

if your van is worn like mine, you'll need one size larger than was in there!
_________________
-dan
60% of what you find on the internet is wrong, including this post.

'87 Westy & '89 Westy both 2.1 4spd

Past projects can be found at--
www.thefixitworkshop.com

[crazyvwvanman]

Originally the top 2 screws on each side were a larger size than the lower 2 screws on each side.
The difference isn't so obvious and people often mix them up and cause damage to the holes.

While VW Parts gives metric sizes for them those sizes cross well to these American sizes.
Upper 2 screws on each side, #8 x 1/2" long
Lower 2 screws on each side, #6 x 1/2" long

If someone has forced the upper screws into the lower holes, the lower holes may now fit #8 better than #6

( the OP has a 90 I believe)

Mark

[my_vw_sucks]

Thanks! Mine all seemed the same size so 8’s it is.

[Sodo]

It pleases me that my holes are "original".
It reassures me that I respect my van
even though I did cut the springs at the license plate door.....

But gotta wonder what was going on in that German office...
when the final design decision was

"ja, hier werden zwei unterschiedliche Schraubengrößen benötigt, weil irgendein Arschloch den unteren Befestigungsbereich 1 Millimeter zu schmal gemacht hat"

#6 is too small..... and all same screws is better design.
What did it "cost" the VW factory for:

1) the intitial dispute regarding assembly effifcency
2) two bins of screw sizes (vs one bin) at every headlight assembly station
3) extra lines of text in the assembly procedure
4) extra lines of inspection procedures
5) rework? in case an installer put in the wrong screw.

It's just silly, (but greatt forum-fodder. )

At our stage, eight 8s is an upgrade.
It's one of the less expensive upgrades.
Headlight resellers could find:

proper german-looking screwheads
offer one kit of
"4x #6
and
8x #8"

to cover all needs
(+ 'obsessions')
of an 'enthusisast' assembly line.
_________________


'90 Westy EJ25, NEW oil rings (!) 2Peloquins, 3knobs, SyncroShop pressure-oiled pinion-bearing & GT mainshaft, filtered, cooled gearbox.
'87 Tintop w 47k 53k, '12 SmallCar EJ25, cooled filtered original gearbox
....KTMs, GasGas, SPOT mtb

[crazyvwvanman]

Agreed, why 2 screw sizes so close that many people don't even realize that they are different?

VW gives part numbers as these:
top screws - N01396626 4.2 x 13 mm qty 4 (US #8x1/2")
lower screws - N0139681 3.5 x 9.5 mm qty 4 (US #6x3/8")

Edit: helped an engineer friend with a headlight upgrade recently.
He mixed them up putting things back together and didn't quite notice there were 2 sizes even when I mentioned it.

Mark

[kamzcab86]