Headlight Clip Broken - Temporary Repair

[MH3.0R]

Got into a bind yesterday! While replacing a blown drivers side low beam bulb, the retaining clip broke. I found the clip in the engine bay and a piece of the moulded plastic with a small self tapping screw in it. This used to be part of the headlight body to hold the clip in place, which then holds the bulb in place.

Well went to Subaru and they wanted $755.00 each for a headlight body assembly ($256.00 USD each from the good ol' US of A, but not sure if they are a drop in replacement). So, stuff that! I was thinking that I would rip the headlight out last night and do a quick 5 minute araldyte job on it to rebuild the clip mounting point, then pre-drill a new hole for the self tapper and bob's your uncle!

Well, that there headlight did not want to budge, so I started to check the forums and yep, the front bar has to come off! Stuff that, I was not going to start pulling the front bar off in my dimly light garage for the first time. I would still have been there this morning.

So now I started to think about temporary solutions, so I could drive to work with both headlights working. I observed there was just enough of the old clip mounting point to get a formed loop around and on the other side, the original clip lock down point also has a good "post" to get a loop around. So, what was the solution? A $0.01 rubber band, with a single twist held in place with a twist tie.

Subaru solution: $755.00. My temporary solution $0.01. And driving home this evening, it worked a dream. Here's a photo:



I will get around to pulling the front bar off one day to rebuild the clip mounting point, but in the meantime, temporary fix rocks!

[jaydece]

Subaru solution: $755.00. My temporary solution $0.01.........and with everything else theres mastercard! nice work mark! good luck with fix!

* the scary part is people actually goto to subaru and part money like that.....not to mention labor costs they would charge for something like that! *

[teK--]

Good improv Mark; just get it fixed soon as that rubber may melt off!

USDM headlights won't work the cutoff is for LHD vehicles.

[cruisn]

Nothing like a decent bandaid fix and not a cable tie or duct tape in sight!

Front bar comes off in 15 minutes when you get round to it.

[vp920b]

Never buy USDM lights! It won't do direct fit(cables are different). I had the same problem last time and lost $500 because the seller never gave me refund(ebay).

I have unused headlights I guess which the projector and clip was OK.

Will try to check it if you want to Mark.

Thanks

[MH3.0R]

Checked the rubber band and it is sitting over the back of the connector which does not get that hot, only warm. However, rubber will get brittle over time, so I will take the bar off soon and take to the clip area with some 5 minute epoxy. Probably this weekend.

Naldo, for the 3.0R MY05, the headlight interior is completely chrome. I think other models have a matt black interior other than the reflector for high beam. Do you have a complete pair (both left and right)?

[MH3.0R]

Nothing like a decent bandaid fix and not a cable tie or duct tape in sight!

Front bar comes off in 15 minutes when you get round to it.

I know it probably does, but as I have not done it before, I will take my time. Time to start reading the workshop manual so I get a good idea of what I am doing.

I will probably do both headlights at the same time as I am sure the LHS will be brittle as well and ready to crack. Reinforce it now to avoid a future problem.

[MH3.0R]

Good improv Mark; just get it fixed soon as that rubber may melt off!

USDM headlights won't work the cutoff is for LHD vehicles.

Good call about the USDM cutoff. Forgot about that.

[vp920b]

The one that I had is already broken(plastic mica already cracked). So I thought it can be swap over just for the projector/Clip part.

Thanks

[MH3.0R]

The one that I had is already broken(plastic mica already cracked). So I thought it can be swap over just for the projector/Clip part.

Thanks

Naldo,

Appreciate the offer mate, but I do not think I can use it.

The clip mount (not the clip itself) is a part of the original moulding and the mount has broken off. I have the clip and the broken mount piece, so that is why I will use some epoxy to glue the mount back in its original position. When that dries and is holding firm enough, I will then build some layers of epoxy around the mount to provide some added strength and do the same to the good headlight on the left.

Kind Regards,

Mark.

[subyroo]

Would it be worth the hassle of getting a Plastics Welder to do the job and strengthen the mount points at the same time?

[MH3.0R]

Yes, you are probably right. But then I have to find one (body shop perhaps) and pay them, and lose the self satisfaction of a home grown solution!

[MH3.0R]

Did a quick inspection tonight and the rubber band is still in good shape!

[cliffo3rb]

This is what happens when this solution fails like it did on mine.Woops!

[Doyab]

Shit