Bent a thingy in C5 X7 headlamp.

[faddy]

Replaced one of the low beam H7 bulbs today (a Nightbreaker having lasted all of four months) and in the process managed to bend the cylindrical metal thing in front of the bulb so that it's no longer pointing in the same direction as the bulb and is actually touching it. I'll be changing the bulb again shortly as the one I've stuck in is the working bulb removed when I fitted the Nightbreakers. It looks as though it should be possible to re-align the, er, thing with a biro stuck in the hole, anyone know if that would work. And.....what is it?

[GiveMeABreak]

Obviously a biro is not a good idea due to heat buildup and damage that would cause to the headlamp unit. A couple of photos might help us see what you are referring to though.

On another matter, are you sure the nightbreakers are genuine and not fakes? If originals you should be able to get a refund on them as that is well below acceptable use levels.

[bobins]

Been there, done that..... but I managed to get a finger into the headlamp to bend it back. That was several years ago and it's never been a problem since !

[MikeT]

I guess you mean the bulb shield that sits inside the headlight unit, is seemingly made of tin foil and all too easily knocked out of shape when trying to replace a bulb?

[wurlycorner]

Biro only intended to be used to reach inside and bend it back into place though as a one-off, which can be done when cold, so should be OK???

[GiveMeABreak]

Preferably something that won't scratch and that has nothing to break off and fall into the headlamp unit.

[JohnD]

It looks as though it should be possible to re-align the, er, thing with a biro stuck in the hole, anyone know if that would work. And.....what is it?

I upgraded my headlamp bulbs about six months ago. A few weeks ago I noticed that one of the shields you mention instead of being around the bulb was pushed down below it. Obviously I'd been careless when fitting the bulb. It took only a few minutes to remove the bulb, stick a pencil into the headlamp and move the shield back into place. Whether or not the device serves any useful purpose, I don't know. Certainly I didn't notice any loss of illumination on one side.

[MikeT]

Whether or not the device serves any useful purpose, I don't know. Certainly I didn't notice any loss of illumination on one side.

Yes, it does serve a crucial purpose - avoids unnecessarily blinding oncoming drivers with unwanted glare and backscatter - a pet hate of mine so well done for putting it right!

[faddy]

On another matter, are you sure the nightbreakers are genuine and not fakes? If originals you should be able to get a refund on them as that is well below acceptable use levels.

Yeah, four months and only a couple of thousand miles. Bought them online from Eurocarparts so I should hope they're genuine, and I have proof of purchase.

[faddy]

Been there, done that..... but I managed to get a finger into the headlamp to bend it back. That was several years ago and it's never been a problem since !

I may try it digitally then!

[faddy]

Biro only intended to be used to reach inside and bend it back into place though as a one-off, which can be done when cold, so should be OK???

That was my plan.

[ekjdm14]

On another matter, are you sure the nightbreakers are genuine and not fakes? If originals you should be able to get a refund on them as that is well below acceptable use levels.

Yeah, four months and only a couple of thousand miles. Bought them online from Eurocarparts so I should hope they're genuine, and I have proof of purchase.

Ahh, our old friends ECP yet again... Certainly not saying that your bulbs will be fake, but it wouldn't be the first time that mob have stocked fake parts (I presume inadvertently, but personally I'd put nothing past those jokers).

[faddy]

It looks as though it should be possible to re-align the, er, thing with a biro stuck in the hole, anyone know if that would work. And.....what is it?

Obviously I'd been careless when fitting the bulb.

While the springy clips on the X7 are less fiddly (and prone to falling off) than the wire loops on the Mk1, they don't seem to lock the bulb in place as positively, hence I was wriggling the bulb around to check. Does the electrical connector on these also serve the function of holding the bulb in place?

[faddy]

On another matter, are you sure the nightbreakers are genuine and not fakes? If originals you should be able to get a refund on them as that is well below acceptable use levels.

Yeah, four months and only a couple of thousand miles. Bought them online from Eurocarparts so I should hope they're genuine, and I have proof of purchase.

Ahh, our old friends ECP yet again... Certainly not saying that your bulbs will be fake, but it wouldn't be the first time that mob have stocked fake parts (I presume inadvertently, but personally I'd put nothing past those jokers).

Genuine or fake, they're certainly bright - while they last.

[GiveMeABreak]

It can be a little stiff to get off (as the nun said to the bishop) so I would expect so.