BMW 1 Series Coupe Forum / 1 Series Convertible Forum (1M / tii / 135i / 128i / Coupe / Cabrio / Hatchback) (BMW E82 E88 128i 130i 135i)
 





 

Post Reply
 
Thread Tools Search this Thread
      01-31-2015, 01:40 PM   #23
Jockey
Brigadier General
Jockey's Avatar
3435
Rep
4,978
Posts

Drives: 992 C4S
Join Date: Mar 2008
Location: Park City, UT

iTrader: (1)

Boom, done. Thanks for the excellent writeup.
Appreciate 1
      10-07-2015, 09:02 PM   #24
Mach1er
Lieutenant
Mach1er's Avatar
86
Rep
524
Posts

Drives: '13 128i
Join Date: Mar 2013
Location: Austin, TX

iTrader: (0)

I was curious enough if the newer years still had the metal tab that I went out and bought a set of trim removal tools and ratchet to take a look. For those who might be wondering, they don't.

I've got hairline cracking inside the lens all along the top edge. No idea if the dealer will replace it or will tell me to shove it because it hasn't cracked all the way through.

Anyway, here's a pic of what a '13 looks like with no tab. You can make out a a little of the cracks in the glint of the flash.
Attached Images
 
__________________
'13 128i | 6MT | SGM | Black Boston | Black Gloss | Lighting | Premium | Tech | HK | Anti-Theft | [CDV-Delete | Clutch Stop | 30% Pinnacle]
Ordered 2.23 | Production Begin 3.7 | Ends 3.15 | Released to carrier 3.18 | At port 3.19 | Departed 3.23 (K-line to Brunswick) | Arrived 4.7 | Truck 4.12 | Dealer 4.19
Appreciate 2
      10-07-2015, 11:06 PM   #25
MaC-N54-E82
G82 Love
MaC-N54-E82's Avatar
No_Country
352
Rep
385
Posts

Drives: 2023 M4 Competition xDrive
Join Date: Apr 2011
Location: OR

iTrader: (0)

Garage List
Dealer did a goodwill replacement on mine this summer.
__________________
MAC
Current: 2023 G82|BG over BLK
Prior: 2008 N54 E82|AW over CR
Also: FJ60, Volvo Recharge
Appreciate 2
      10-28-2015, 11:06 AM   #26
blue135
Captain
327
Rep
628
Posts

Drives: 2008 135i Convertible
Join Date: Aug 2015
Location: Sarasota, FL

iTrader: (1)

Spent part of Monday trying to find part number for light. Tuesday i found this How-to with the parts links. Ordered them from Turner. Then later yesterday found the light, but not the springs and nuts, on eBay for $10-$15 less. Just for information.

Dack - thanks for posting the DIY. Makes it much easier to replace my cracked light.
Appreciate 1
      11-05-2015, 03:39 PM   #27
blue135
Captain
327
Rep
628
Posts

Drives: 2008 135i Convertible
Join Date: Aug 2015
Location: Sarasota, FL

iTrader: (1)

Light came in this afternoon. Five minutes into removal, i could see this was going to be a 10 minute job. Then i discovered there was no tension on any of the bolts, meaning the lens was no longer connected to the light. However, the lens was now attached to the lid by the gasket. Took 40 minutes and considerable care not to scratch lid to get old gasket off. But now it works well.

Curiously, i have a 3/08 build and it does not look like the lid had the tab. Again, thanks for the DIY.
Appreciate 2
      02-16-2016, 07:50 PM   #28
kb135
Private First Class
kb135's Avatar
Australia
21
Rep
140
Posts

Drives: 135i Space Grey
Join Date: Dec 2011
Location: Perth, Western Australia

iTrader: (0)

Replacement cracked

New lens cracked. Did the replacement and opted to modify the Lens plastic to accommodate the metal tab on my '09 135i. Made sure nuts were gently tightened only. 1 year on and cracks now forming again. Perhaps the LIP/EDGE compressed on the frame of the LED Lens when the boot lid is shut?
Appreciate 0
      02-17-2016, 02:21 AM   #29
Dackelone
European Editor
Dackelone's Avatar
Germany
10511
Rep
22,992
Posts

Drives: N54 e82
Join Date: Feb 2010
Location: Bayern, Germany

iTrader: (1)

Quote:
Originally Posted by kb135 View Post
New lens cracked. Did the replacement and opted to modify the Lens plastic to accommodate the metal tab on my '09 135i. Made sure nuts were gently tightened only. 1 year on and cracks now forming again. Perhaps the LIP/EDGE compressed on the frame of the LED Lens when the boot lid is shut?
Did you replace the springs and nuts?
Appreciate 0
      02-19-2016, 10:08 PM   #30
kb135
Private First Class
kb135's Avatar
Australia
21
Rep
140
Posts

Drives: 135i Space Grey
Join Date: Dec 2011
Location: Perth, Western Australia

iTrader: (0)

Quote:
Originally Posted by Dackelone View Post
Did you replace the springs and nuts?
Do they come with the replacement unit? If so, then I would have - I generally replace with new everything if I have them. I cannot remember, as it has been a while. If they do not come with the replacement lens, then no, and perhaps that's my issue hey.

EDIT: my purchase was only of the brake light, and it seems it does not come with the replacement springs and nuts, which need ordering/purchasing separately. That must be it. Thanks Dackelone. LED fix round two....

QUESTION: did the old light have a different P/N to the new one? (I know the old had the plastic cut-out for the metal tab vs the new one). I ask as I am ordering from eBay and am not sure if the P/N in the OP will lead me to either the old or the new, or whether it is specific to the new?

Last edited by kb135; 02-19-2016 at 10:25 PM..
Appreciate 0
      02-19-2016, 10:25 PM   #31
ccdre
Lieutenant
ccdre's Avatar
United_States
337
Rep
404
Posts

Drives: '10 AW 135i, '13 Frozen M3
Join Date: Jun 2015
Location: NorCal

iTrader: (1)

Quote:
Originally Posted by kb135 View Post
Do they come with the replacement unit? If so, then I would have - I generally replace with new everything if I have them. I cannot remember, as it has been a while. If they do not come with the replacement lens, then no, and perhaps that's my issue hey.

EDIT: my purchase was only of the brake light, and it seems it does not come with the replacement springs and nuts, which need ordering/purchasing separately. That must be it. Thanks Dackelone. LED fix round two....
I did this couple of weeks ago. I replaced the springs and nuts, however the old ones were perfectly fine and the springs appeared to have been the exact same and although I only used my fingers to gauge the required force to compress them, they appeared identical.

Just my $0.02
Appreciate 1
      04-15-2016, 12:02 PM   #32
tjswarbrick
<(O0=[][]=0O)>
tjswarbrick's Avatar
United_States
740
Rep
1,186
Posts

Drives: 2012 N55 E88
Join Date: Apr 2015
Location: Bay Area, CA

iTrader: (1)

Thank you thank you thank you.

I saw all the warnings and complaints, and calls to cut the tab - but nowhere else did I see the necessity to trim the lower strip or replace the springs with the lighter ones.
My socket set doesn't include a deep 8mm (and none of the deep ones are on 1/4" drive) so I'm really grateful to read that now rather than get the parts, get the carpet off, and figure it out for myself.

No offense, Rockstar - I haven't even found your thread. But will take a look shortly to make sure I didn't miss anything else!

My CHMSL has been cracked down the middle since I bought the car last summer. Out of warranty. I was trying not to worry about it. Yesterday the left half of the lens fell off somewhere between home and the ski shop.

Dealer wants $200 labor to replace, and $150 for the part! But he says if I've replaced a clutch pedal that I'm more than qualified to swap out the brake lamp. So I'll be giving it a go. (NOT buying from him...)

BTW, the "human vice" moves didn't bug me much. The guy using the knife looks like he's done this before and is holding it in such a way that he has very good control over it. If he's trying his darndest not to scratch the soft plastic just fractions of a mm from the blade, the guy holding it a couple feet away is in very little danger. My first thought was - "Nice knife. Wonder what kind it is." Blade shape is similar to the BK16, but so are lots of quality hunting drop-points. The micarta handle makes it look like a pricey fancy jobbie.
__________________
2012 E88 M-Sport 135i DSB Metallic
ER CP, ZHP Knob, E60 SSK Lever, E92 M3 FSB, RSFB inserts, Koni Sport, Eibach Pro, UCP, MPSS, AP axle-back, MHD Stage1+ 91
<(O0=[][]=0O)>
Appreciate 1
      04-30-2016, 02:09 AM   #33
tjswarbrick
<(O0=[][]=0O)>
tjswarbrick's Avatar
United_States
740
Rep
1,186
Posts

Drives: 2012 N55 E88
Join Date: Apr 2015
Location: Bay Area, CA

iTrader: (1)

Boom! Done!
Was a total cinch. Took less than 1/2 hr.
But mine's a 2012 so I didn't need to grind the tab or cutaway the housing. There was a slot for the lower protrusion.
I replaced the nuts, springs and plastic rivets. But already had the lighter springs.
Appreciate 1
      04-30-2016, 01:08 PM   #34
Esteban
Major General
Esteban's Avatar
United_States
42180
Rep
7,224
Posts

Drives: a slow car fast
Join Date: Jun 2014
Location: SoCal

iTrader: (0)

Mine has been cracked since I picked up the car in October 2010. Keep waiting for something to fall out but it seems to be in there pretty good. I guess one day it will.
__________________
Appreciate 0
      04-30-2016, 02:18 PM   #35
Dackelone
European Editor
Dackelone's Avatar
Germany
10511
Rep
22,992
Posts

Drives: N54 e82
Join Date: Feb 2010
Location: Bayern, Germany

iTrader: (1)

Quote:
Originally Posted by Esteban View Post
Mine has been cracked since I picked up the car in October 2010. Keep waiting for something to fall out but it seems to be in there pretty good. I guess one day it will.
I'd be worried about water getting inside of the trunk lid. But I guess seeing how your are living in Cali... you don't see much of the liquid sun-shine stuff like we get in DE.
Appreciate 1
      04-30-2016, 06:47 PM   #36
Esteban
Major General
Esteban's Avatar
United_States
42180
Rep
7,224
Posts

Drives: a slow car fast
Join Date: Jun 2014
Location: SoCal

iTrader: (0)

Quote:
Originally Posted by Dackelone View Post
I'd be worried about water getting inside of the trunk lid. But I guess seeing how your are living in Cali... you don't see much of the liquid sun-shine stuff like we get in DE.
My car literally never gets rained on. It's possible some water could get in that crack during a wash though. Will have to look into that.
__________________
Appreciate 1
      05-06-2016, 05:21 PM   #37
OzJustin
Lieutenant
Australia
77
Rep
541
Posts

Drives: 2008 135i AT Monaco Blue
Join Date: Dec 2012
Location: Brisbane, Australia

iTrader: (0)

Garage List
2008 BMW 135i  [8.66]
For anyone interested, I performed this DIY on my 2008 including tab removal. I've included photos and commentary in my build thread which may assist. Thanks to Dack for the original DIY which guided me.

http://www.1addicts.com/forums/showp...6&postcount=58
__________________
Appreciate 1
      11-09-2016, 02:50 PM   #38
jkoral
Lieutenant Colonel
United_States
1016
Rep
1,960
Posts

Drives: 2017 M2 LBB 6MT
Join Date: Oct 2007
Location: MA

iTrader: (7)

Quote:
Originally Posted by Esteban View Post
Mine has been cracked since I picked up the car in October 2010. Keep waiting for something to fall out but it seems to be in there pretty good. I guess one day it will.
I've had a hairline crack vertical in the center of the light for some time. It's barely perceptible (I don't think any water would get in) and I figured it would eventually break. Went out to my car yesterday and half the light was hanging off.

I had the TSB done years ago, so I would assume I have the new light/springs and the tab was shaved off my car. I'll find out. I've always felt it was not 100% perfect and it seemed to stick out past the edge of the trunk on one side (the side that broke).

Thanks for the DIY.
Appreciate 0
      12-19-2016, 07:02 PM   #39
Pablito1702
Pablo
United_States
39
Rep
263
Posts

Drives: 2009 135i
Join Date: Dec 2009
Location: Orange County, CA

iTrader: (3)

I finally got around to replacing mine after ordering the parts a year ago from thebmwminipartstore.com for a total cost of $79.82 including shipping

063-25-9-128-043 Hex Nuts (4) - $.38 each
063-25-7-164-978 Third Stop Lamp - $68.45
063-25-7-211-238 Springs (4) - $0.85 each

A few comments on the install. I ground down the metal tab with a metal file as shown in Dack's photos. It takes awhile but it does the trick and avoids any potential mishaps with a power tool.

I primed and painted the metal to avoid any future corrosion. For removing the plastic ridge on the lamp itself, I used a sharp wood chisel and made multiple shallow passes to scrape it away. But be sure to protect the rubber gasket around the lens that buts up against the ridge so you don't slice it by mistake with whatever implement you use.

The replacement springs are definitely a lighter gauge. I purchased a "deep" 8 mm socket based on others comments, but did not use. My regular 8 mm socket in 1/4" drive ratchet set worked just fine, as I didn't screw the nuts too far up on the posts before I felt it was adequately tightened.

In order not to drop the hex nuts when getting them started, I found it easier to insert the nut into the socket and spin the socket by hand rather than try and use my fingers. I was careful not to compress the springs too much by over-tightening the nuts. I stopped when the lens appeared snug and the hex nuts had approx. 1/4" of thread exposed below them. I probably could have tighten further, so I plan to check for any looseness of the lens after driving for a few months.
__________________
BMW PPK V2, M3 26mm sway bar, M3 front control arm kit, M3 steering wheel, BMW 313 wheels w Michelin PSS
Appreciate 2
Dackelone10511.00
      12-19-2016, 11:41 PM   #40
vtl
Brigadier General
vtl's Avatar
Australia
1492
Rep
3,148
Posts

Drives: 2008 BMW 135i MT
Join Date: Apr 2015
Location: Melbourne, Australia

iTrader: (0)

FYI, Jointing torque is 2.5Nm

Attached is the ISTA instructions
Attached Images
 
__________________
Appreciate 2
Mach1er86.00
Dackelone10511.00
      12-20-2016, 05:48 AM   #41
Dackelone
European Editor
Dackelone's Avatar
Germany
10511
Rep
22,992
Posts

Drives: N54 e82
Join Date: Feb 2010
Location: Bayern, Germany

iTrader: (1)

Thanks Pablito1702 and vtl for your posts!


You know I always thought I would have to replace my third brake light due to cracking... but I still have the original brake light. Actually, my car hasn't needed to visit my BMW Zentrum very much over the years. My car has been fairly trouble free.

Dack
Appreciate 1
      09-17-2017, 11:31 PM   #42
ianc
Ex '87 Carrera
ianc's Avatar
United_States
246
Rep
1,259
Posts

Drives: '10 TiAg 6MT 135i
Join Date: Feb 2010
Location: Redwood Shores, California

iTrader: (0)

I thought so too until I gave the old girl a wash and wax this weekend and discovered the TBL cracked in half.

I swear I'll need every DIY on this site before I'm through... ;-)

ianc
Appreciate 2
      09-20-2017, 07:03 AM   #43
minirips2
Second Lieutenant
207
Rep
282
Posts

Drives: 2010 128i 6M CR Slicktop
Join Date: Mar 2017
Location: Illinois

iTrader: (1)

Thanks for the DIY, Dack! My TBL is cracked in several places, and I had no idea that this is common. I just chalked it up to the PO leaving it outside in the Florida sun. Gotta order some parts and get cracking-err-replacing! Good to know that the new springs are weaker. I'm sure that relieves tension on the light assembly.
Appreciate 1
Dackelone10511.00
      10-06-2017, 12:42 PM   #44
ianc
Ex '87 Carrera
ianc's Avatar
United_States
246
Rep
1,259
Posts

Drives: '10 TiAg 6MT 135i
Join Date: Feb 2010
Location: Redwood Shores, California

iTrader: (0)

I did this last week so just to add a few thoughts...

This actually kind of sucked. I dutifully ordered the new part #'s for the springs and nuts from ECS, but found they were exactly the same as those factory-installed on my 2010. Fail...

I tried using the 2.5 NM torque spec someone listed earlier for the nuts and it snapped one of the metal studs right off the new brake light! I had to remove one from the old broken light and put it in the new one to get it installed. Go not much more than snug on these and forget that torque spec...

Additionally, although I bought the genuine BMW part, it had an odd nodule-like raised portion at the join in the rubber gasket material around the periphery which I had to push inwards with the edge of credit card while tightening to allow it to seat properly and not look like ass...

All in all, not that pleasant an experience...

ianc
__________________
"I will tell you there is a big difference between driving money and driving blood, sweat and tears." - PorscheGuy79

"I got 328 loaner and was impressed with performance. It feels much faster than my 135i." - MOCKBA
Appreciate 2
Post Reply

Bookmarks

Thread Tools Search this Thread
Search this Thread:

Advanced Search

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off



All times are GMT -5. The time now is 07:04 AM.




1addicts
Powered by vBulletin® Version 3.8.11
Copyright ©2000 - 2024, vBulletin Solutions Inc.
1Addicts.com, BIMMERPOST.com, E90Post.com, F30Post.com, M3Post.com, ZPost.com, 5Post.com, 6Post.com, 7Post.com, XBimmers.com logo and trademark are properties of BIMMERPOST