Can you disassemble USDM E36 Headlights?

Euro.Stance · #1 06-30-2012, 11:28 PM

As the title states, Can one [without breaking it (ie. so it can be put back together after I'm done tinkering around with)] disassemble the E36 Headlight housing (USDM). It's not aftermarket, or DEPO, etc. It's completely stock E36 USDM headlights.

My father and I are thinking about doing an DIY Angel Eye Project.
We've done the research on the project itself and looks fairly easy to do, as I he has a little bit of wiring experience under his belt.
Yes, we may sound cheap for doing a DIY for it, but hey a penny saved is a penny earned.

Any tips or hints are greatly appreciated!

Thanks in advance!

Andrew.

Joseph · #2 06-30-2012, 11:59 PM

Yes, you can bake them open then reseal it later. Why not go aftermarket? The US plastic lenses are terrible. Aftermarket options like Depo/DJ Auto are very inexpensive, IIRC sub $200 with HID and angel eyes built-in if you want them. The glass lenses are really a necessity IMO and make the front end that much better.

Euro.Stance · #3 07-01-2012, 10:29 AM

So there is no way to split them open without "baking" them? I'm really sketched out on the whole "baking" method. I feel like there is a huge margin of error for it. I'm also afraid that the whole housing will melt or the seal after I finish will not be water tight and when I was the car or it rains, water will get in and fog up the lens.

Joseph · #4 07-01-2012, 10:44 AM

Correct, and it really is sketchy for a DIYer. With such large aftermarket support, I'd rather buy glass headlights that have clips for easy splitting rather than pay a professional to bake/reseal US plastic headlights.

Euro.Stance · #5 07-01-2012, 02:49 PM

Okay, thanks for the tip. I'll have to get into the headlight market then!

tomas3314 · #6 04-01-2013, 02:06 PM

Don't know if you ever followed through on 1)taking old set apart or 2)buying a pnp set of dj auto's. I finally installed the second option on mine and would not recommend the first option versus the price of just going with the second. Best upgrade on my e36 dollar for dollar. Either way have my set of old plastic lights if you needed a set to "practice" on...don't know if you are local but they are there if you want them.

Sent from my EVO using Tapatalk 2