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05-25-2013, 12:55 PM | #1 |
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DIY third LED brake light replacement...
I have been wanting to make a third LED brake light replacement DIY for awhile now. I was meeting some BMW friends the other day in Munich (Muenchen Stammtisch, the guys who put together the Welt 4.0 car shows) and one of the members was replacing his LED brake light right there in the parking lot! So with the help of Peter... here is my little DIY. I was merely there to take the pics.
You will need to remove the black push/plugs that hold the trunk lining onto the trunk lid. I forgot to take a pic of Peter doing that part... so here is a picture of LESTER 's that I snagged from one of his posts here. You can see the very LEFT edge of the LED brake light is broken. LED third brake light lens bmw p/n 63257164978 four new springs for light bmw p/n 63257211238 four new hex nuts for light p/n 63259128043 total costs of all the parts ~50 euros. http://realoem.com/bmw/showparts.do?...55&hg=63&fg=25 remove the two torx screws that hold on the bracket for the warning triangle. On some cars these screws are phillips screws. IF your car has the EU warning triangle.. there are two torx screws T20 (?) that secure the triangle holders to the trunk lid. Remove those with the black plugs that secure the carpet to the trunk lid. trunk liner carpet removed... use an 8mm deep 1/4 socket to remove the nuts securing the LED light to the trunk lid. old compressed spring and nut. The new springs are much thinner and provide less stress on the LED light. I think this is why some people report going thru numerous LED lights. I bet they never get those springs and nuts replaced when their dealer replaces the brake light. ? 8mm ratchet in action! nuts removed! carefully remove the electrical connector and DO NOT scratch your painted trunk lid!!! see that little metal lip(center in the slot/hole) thats gotta go... old LED brake light on top, new brake light (bottom). See how the new light doesn't have that cut out anymore. This is why you will need to use a file to remove that metal tab on your trunk lid OR... use a dremell tool to mod your new LED lens to look like your old one. Peter chose to use a metal file to remove that lip on the trunk lid... use a metal file to remove that lip on the trunk lid... going... going... some more file work... almost perfect... Now... see that plastic lip on the bottom of the LED lens... looks like we need to trim that piece off... new LED lens sitting perfectly flush! Good job! All done!
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05-25-2013, 05:37 PM | #2 |
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I take it the later model cars have been modded by the factory in terms of the centre metal tab.
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06-02-2013, 11:38 PM | #3 |
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Man, thanks a lot for such thorough DIY, Dack.
My 3rd brake light is cracked and I will need to replace it in the future. Now I know how to replace the light. There has been a couple DIY's but none were like this. Thanks Dack! |
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06-02-2013, 11:43 PM | #4 |
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Two quick questions,
The plug for the liner, do you just pull that out? I haven't removed them myself but I remember seeing one loose and it was like a screw? So I remember putting it back like a screw.. I can be misremembering. And is there torque specification for the new bolts? they seem much looser than the ones before |
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06-03-2013, 01:45 AM | #5 |
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I would use something to prevent rusting on that grinding point...
Thanks for DIY |
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06-03-2013, 04:44 AM | #6 | ||||
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08-06-2013, 07:16 AM | #8 | |||||
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08-06-2013, 01:00 PM | #9 | |
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I don't hate you buddy. Can't we all just get along? lolz Thanks for the suggestion... I made a cross reference posting. Diy Replace Third Brake Light http://www.1addicts.com/forums/showthread.php?t=790340
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08-07-2013, 01:52 AM | #11 |
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I believe its always been LED's on our cars. Its just the part(LED light) has changed slightly.
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08-07-2013, 12:43 PM | #13 |
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I notice my 3rd brake light is cracked in the middle. It doesn't seem to be letting moisture in but is it inevitable that I'll have to replace it soon? Or has anyone had a cracked brake light last for a while even after cracking?
I would be happy to replace it if I knew for sure it wasn't just going to crack again. |
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08-07-2013, 01:09 PM | #14 | |
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Dackel
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08-07-2013, 05:38 PM | #15 | |
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08-07-2013, 05:52 PM | #16 |
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Only time will tell. IF it doesn't bother you leave it be. I am still on my orginal LED lens(knock on wood).
Replacing the LED light should be your last (LED) lens. (as long as you follow the TSB guidelines and trim the light or trunk mounting.
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02-01-2014, 07:23 PM | #17 |
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Did this today and opted to dremel the light housing to original spec rather than cut the trunk and expose it to rust. Brake lights are cheaper than trunks.
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02-01-2014, 08:13 PM | #18 | |
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^^That is what I would do on my car as well. Its just Peter and the car owner Steven used the "flat rate" method when they did this(DIY) install. I am just glad I was there to take these pics and make this DIY! I would prefer to cut up the third brake light instead of the car, myself. Dack
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02-03-2014, 08:41 PM | #19 | |
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02-04-2014, 03:02 AM | #20 | |
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The picture in which Crocodile Dundee moves his knive ever so slightly towards the chest of mr. human vice had me on the edge of my seat for the result. |
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02-04-2014, 03:05 AM | #21 |
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...I'm dying laughing at this statement!
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02-04-2014, 03:01 PM | #22 |
Kind of a big deal
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made me think of this married with children classic DIY episode
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