REAR LENSE REMOVAL

[cranna21]

Hi Folks,

has anyone safely removed rear lenses without damage before.... mine are in good nic (other than the usual fading) and the body shop i'm sending my car too for minor rust repair wan'ts to remove the lenses as the whole car is getting a freshen up

naturally i'm VERY weary of doing this in case they get broken however surely it must be doable! any advice appreciated, thanks

[jamescarruthers]

Make sure you remove the nut hidden in the top corner!

Also, make the bodyshop aware that it is £500 to replace them so not to pressure you!

They are rather fragile after all this time but you've probably got an 80% chance of success if you are careful.

[cranna21]

is that to the outside or centre of the car? i did have a look but saw no nuts!

i did tell him they are ridiculously expensive... can you still buy reproduction ones? or did they stop?

[glasgowjim]

There are 3 nuts per unit the third is to the outside of the car (lean in and look up as the actress said to the bishop)
I have removed a number of these units the trick is to use hot water to the sealant to soften it before you start to try to remove it . Patience is the key nice and easy. I even used an old table knife my wife left lying around . Bent the blade so that it could cut round corners !

[jamescarruthers]

While they are out, check out the repair guide on the main site under Chapter 80e
http://www.volvo-480-europe.org/volvo480/faq/index.php (you probably need to register separately for the main site). Maybe your bodyshop could do the work as the 2-part stuff is critical and they'll have the gear to properly spray and polish them.

For replacements, have a sit down then click below:
http://www.skandix.de/en/spare-parts/el ... t/1008123/
http://www.skandix.de/en/spare-parts/el ... t/1008124/

[glasgowjim]

[cranna21]

cheers for the replies lads!

i will make the painter well aware of this, if he breaks them, he pays for new lights!

[jamescarruthers]

I would take them out yourself mate. I wouldn't trust anyone even remotely ham fisted with this job!

The 480's weird glued in design is probably something he hasn't came across

[cranna21]

Say's he did a few back when they were common and he was in the insurance repair game!

[jamescarruthers]

Okay, good luck with it all!