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Headlight Adjuster Broke - Passenger Side 02 XType

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  #1  
Old 01-12-2013, 02:04 PM
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Default Headlight Adjuster Broke - Passenger Side 02 XType

Got the HID conversion done ALMOST successfully. I add the ALMOST caveat as I broke the plastic part of the adjustment arm and now I have awesome white HID beams pointing down to the ground! My options are, buy a new headlight assembly - about $400 or buy a "Repair Kit" for $25 from Ebay - Jaguar x Type x Type Headlamp Headlight Repair Kit Adjuster | eBay For most, the latter would be the most frugal way to go. However, and while the seller links to a "how to video" posted on you tube, I would appreciate any insights, actual experience in doing this and if done before, details on the experience. THANKS

02 X-Type 2.5 Auto Trans AWD
 
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Old 01-12-2013, 04:15 PM
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I went through the process of repairing one of my headlights which I
detailed in this thread:
https://www.jaguarforums.com/forum/x...t-issue-72601/

I repaired my adjusters with epoxy. My recomendation is: don't do it,
buy the replacements on ebay. The original adjusters are made from
defective plastic. They will break in your hand if you are not careful.
Even repaired with epoxy they are quite fragile.

On ebay there are two people selling them, the guy that you pointed
to and someone else. The guy that you point to uses metal and plastic.
The other guy uses only plastic. He has a video showing a 25 Lbs weight
hanging from the ball joint end. Quite impressive! I am sure that
the plastic they used is much better than the original plastic in
the adjusters.

I opened the headlight housing by seperating the two halves. It is slow
and a lot of work to get them apart without breaking something.
There is another thread where someone was able to replace the
broken parts from the back side. That might be a better way to go.

Pete.
 
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  #3  
Old 01-13-2013, 08:17 AM
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I agree with "jagger", purchase the adjusters from eBay. I purchased a brand new headlight assy at $358, could have used it somewhere else!
 
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Old 01-13-2013, 02:26 PM
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ReyesL, totally agree and thank you. Jagger, you da man!
 
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Old 01-19-2013, 04:55 PM
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The kit shown is the only way to go (metal) and heating/splitting the lights is the only practical option if you don't want to break someyhing inside. Getting the front of the car off is as tough as the headlight fix. I was doing a write-up on this and had a hart attack so never finished it. It is finished enough to do what you need to do. e-mail me and I'll send it to you mikeschoon@cfl.rr.com
 
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Old 01-19-2013, 10:15 PM
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Thanks Mikies. Hope you are doing much better bud!
 
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Old 01-20-2013, 12:47 PM
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Default Adjusters

Hi,

I recently bought the adjusters and have fitted them to thes pair headlight with the view to eventually dropping the front bumper, replacing the first headlight and working at putting the replacement adjusters in the other highlight.

My up rated adjusters were from Poland and came with a video, the English on the video was a wee bit off but you can feel your way through it.
Pleased with the result, to be frank I would buy 2 sets and fit them both while you have the bumper off!

Any problems give me a shout.

BR
 
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Old 01-24-2013, 03:47 PM
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Default Thank you

Originally Posted by barry W
Hi,

I recently bought the adjusters and have fitted them to thes pair headlight with the view to eventually dropping the front bumper, replacing the first headlight and working at putting the replacement adjusters in the other highlight.

My up rated adjusters were from Poland and came with a video, the English on the video was a wee bit off but you can feel your way through it.
Pleased with the result, to be frank I would buy 2 sets and fit them both while you have the bumper off!

Any problems give me a shout.

BR
Still waiting for the adjuster clips and will look you up if anything goes array. Agree on buying a new one for all but only ordered one for now. Thanks Barry! For anyone interested, here's a good how to video link on replacing this adjuster.

 
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Old 01-24-2013, 05:25 PM
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That video was great! I like the idea of heating the unit to make seperating
the halves easier. I wish I had thought of that.

Using silicone glue to seal the unit back together means that you will
never get it apart again. Using buytl rubber, as I did, allows disassembly.

Pete.
 
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Old 01-24-2013, 10:31 PM
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Originally Posted by jagger
That video was great! I like the idea of heating the unit to make seperating
the halves easier. I wish I had thought of that.

Using silicone glue to seal the unit back together means that you will
never get it apart again. Using buytl rubber, as I did, allows disassembly.

Pete.
Thanks Pete. Was wondering if you have the link where you mentioned someone being able to repair it w/o dismantling?
 
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Old 01-25-2013, 03:38 AM
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Not to but in, I think the video you are looking for is in EBay Uk (poss USA) as an attachment to the advertisement. Having viewed the "fix in situ video" I would still suggest taking the light apart, having done so myself, believe me it's the easier option!

Your choice!!

B
 
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Old 01-25-2013, 08:20 AM
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Thanks Pete. Was wondering if you have the link where you mentioned someone
being able to repair it w/o dismantling?
I knew that you were going to ask that!
It is shown in youtube videos.
These are two ebay guys selling the parts.

Jaguar x Type HeadlightAdjuster Repair Parts | eBay and
Jaguar x Type x Type Headlamp Headlight Repair Kit Adjuster | eBay

The second guy has these links the the videos.






Pete.
 
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Old 01-25-2013, 01:47 PM
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Originally Posted by barry W
Not to but in, I think the video you are looking for is in EBay Uk (poss USA) as an attachment to the advertisement. Having viewed the "fix in situ video" I would still suggest taking the light apart, having done so myself, believe me it's the easier option!

Your choice!!

B
It's a good point Barry and thank you. My hope is that I would only do the repair w/o dismantling as only one broke and I hope by doing that, I would prevent another from breaking. Status on delivery for the repair kit is, well, I still do not have it. I ordered last Friday and hope I would get it today so I have the weekend to labor. Keep my fingers crossed.
 
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Old 01-25-2013, 03:49 PM
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I would replace both parts while you are at it. You will be suprised
at how breakable the plastic is. It is clearly defective. Why not
do the whole job and not have to repeat the process later.

Pete.
 
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Old 01-27-2013, 04:25 PM
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Default Crappy x type headlamp adjusters

You will find that both sides go brittle and fall apart I got 2 repair kits from ebay and repaired both lamps. You need to pull the lamps apart we used a heat gun and that softened the goo enough to pull them apart. Took about 2 hours and wasnt hard but just take your time.
 
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Old 01-28-2013, 09:02 AM
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Default Heat in oven

Having done all the things described, strongly suggest you do both lights (order other kit, takes weeks to come from Poland), heat the light in 200 degree oven... carefully work apart (do not remove sealant), clean inside, install adjuster and re-heat unit to re-seal. run the adjustments in and out several times before you put back in car; will take you about 6 hours to do both lights including bumper removal.
 
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Old 01-29-2013, 03:42 AM
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Default Over heat

Hi,

I don't want to contradict Mikie's Cat but I'm sure the video from Poland suggested 90 degree temp for about 10 minutes to soften the silicone round the lights.
When I did it I was more than a bit concerned about heating up the plastic and from memory only left in for 8 mins which was sufficient to do the job!
(The other issue was the thought of cleaning up all that melted plastic in the oven prior to my wife getting home, Creep, who just called me a creep?) lol

B
 
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Old 01-29-2013, 01:28 PM
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Considering that I have taken my bumper off several times due to other enchancement and maintenance, I consider that part painless now. However, this will be my first shot at the HL adjuster repair and I agree 100% it's best to "sweep all the dirt under the mat" at once and not have to worry about it for a while so I ordered the additional repair arm. However, since this is a daily driver for my daughter, I have no choice but to tackle the one broken arm now then tackle the rest once I obtain shipment. Thanks again for all the sound & wise feedback as well as the videos. As I type this response, I am still waiting for the first repair kit : (
 
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Old 01-29-2013, 01:30 PM
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Originally Posted by jagger
I would replace both parts while you are at it. You will be suprised
at how breakable the plastic is. It is clearly defective. Why not
do the whole job and not have to repeat the process later.

Pete.
Agreed & thanks again Pete.
 
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Old 01-30-2013, 09:14 AM
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Default I stand corrected

Berry is right, if 90 degrees will soften seal, less is better. I used gloves and worked quickley by running a one inch putty knive all the way around to cut the seal then used two screw drivers to gently pry it off the clips and open it.
 
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