headlight replacement

[valpon]

The lens on the right headlight of my 1997 C230 is cracked and I need to replace the whole asswmbly. I am not a mechanic by any strech and I called for quotes arround but the price asked are quite high. I found the assembly for approx. $275 and I wonder if this is something that I can do it myself, or I have to fork out the $$.
Thanks,
Val

[tower]

Try www.capitolwest.com

I was quoted almost $700 canadian from mb for the whole light assembly. Got the contact from here, sent me a new lens for about $70 us.

Easy fix, took about 30 minutes including cleaning.

Ron

[Evan]

I would say this is a job you could do yourself... its pretty straight forward,,, just pay attention to the disassembly.. if your really not mechanicly inclined at all then i would find someone who is, and they could do this in about 30 minutes ,, very easy

[Michael K]

Both the headlight lenses on the C230 cracked about a month ago.

I called Partsman Phil. He sold me just the OEM lenses. They arrived the next day. I put them on myself and saved several hundred bucks.

Good luck and best regards,

[Michael K]

If I remember correctly, the job required three tools

-medium philips head screwdriver
-8mm hexagonal wrench (I think this is called a nut driver)
-needlenose pliers (to help get the clips that hold the lense to the assembly off)

I work very slowly and pretty much suck at mechanical stuff. The first one took me about 90 minutes; the second one took about ten.

[Michael K]

While it shows a headlight for a different car, this diagram helped me visualize what I needed to do.

[Michael K]

Like this one... it was either the 6mm or 8 mm.

[yal]

The sad thing is how many unfortunate people have gone to the dealer and forked out the money for a new headlight

[Will_w202]

Hey Michael, did you remove the entire assy or leave it intact? Looks like it could be done without removing. I just have bad luck with losing screws and vital parts, so I'd like to remove as little as possible.

[Will_w202]

Ok, did this today. You simply MUST remove the headlight assy. as there are 3 clips that are not exposed until you get the unit out. I suppose if you had super-skinny fingers and super-skinny tools, you could pry the clips somehow without pulling them, but there is a lot of pressure on the clips that hold the lenses, so you will end up with one or 3 shooting outward toward your face.

I chose to remove the hedadlight.

I should have taken pics, but it's pretty easy to explain, with Michael's disgrams. Tools needed are just as he listed as well. The right one is easier; everything is the same EXCEPT there is a plastic covering on the inner-side of the driver headlight, covering a couple radiator return lines, and it obstructs the headlight retaining screw on that side, so you MUST remove it. Unfortunately, it is held on by 2 flat-topped platic push-screws ( I don't know how else to describe them, but you have to break them to remove them). I suppose I will have to pick up 2 replacements at the parts counter, but the rubber sheath in the center of it pops back onto what I believe is a radiator pressure valve or something; either way, it is holding steady now, so I may not even replace the "screws." Anyway, on my 97 (it will be different for 98-00) you remove 2 screws for the trim piece under the headlight. You will have to let the piece hang as it is attached to the rubber gasket underneath it, which runs into the fender. This is a good time to clean it and put some 303 UV protectant on it (mine was dry and dirty). So, 2 trim screws, 3 headlight screws (1 on each side, one on top). Needless to say, support the light as you remove the last screw. You will need to pull the upper gaslet that clips in around the top and side of the headlight - and held in by one of the 2 trim screws you already removed. This is also a good piece to clean and condition with some 303. Once out, I used a jeweler's screwdriver (skinny) to slide under each clip and pry off. Be careful! They are under pressure and I had one fly 10 feet. Replace the lens after seating the new gasket. You will reinstalll the same way, with the 3 retaining screws, then the trim piece and 2 screws, making sure you secure the upper gasket with one of the screws. This will all make sense once you eyeball it. That's about it. One thing you really may consider replacing (I may end up ordering 2 and doing this job over) are the gray plastic bezels that are seated between the lens and the headlight assy. I noticed the edges of my lights looking yellowed, and sure enough, the formerly-gray trim was sun-bleached. Each one has a part# on it, so you SHOULD be able to order them independent of a whole unit. They are much clearer now, no pitting (and no cracks), but would look 30% better with fresh gray bezels. The left light will take you a bit longer than the right, but expect the first time you tackle this to spend 30 mins on one and 15 on the second (plus cleaning) for removal. Reinstallation should be quicker. Budget 2 hours and you will be pleasantly surprised. Car's outside and it's dark now, but I will try to take some pics tomorrow.