Removing fog light on 348

Hi,

Look at the lens from the front, on the inner edge there is most likely a black metal trim, this covers the bolts, use a pick or similar to remove it (making sure all paint work is protected) then undo the bolts. The outer edge is just two lugs that slide in to the bumper.

Hope this helps

Regards

Paul

 

Are you aware that 348 fog lights have become nearly impossible to obtain, and grossly expensive?

 

Isn't there someone who has made up replacement lenses ???

Also does anyone know what the difference is between the US units and the UK units as I am in the market for a RH one ??

 

Jeffs right, FNA does have 1 in stock, or they did about a week ago as I enquired for a customer over here. It was about £700.

 

If I remember rightly I got the last left hand one in world from Daniel last year after an 'incident' at Silverstone. I then had a friend make up some poly carb replacements that i have fitted after I took out the front again at a track in Scotland this year. http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=SRB9LvLkLqw

So to cut a story short, I think I have a US left hand unit in my garage still if you are interested. I know I messed with the wirign behind to suit UK but that is easily sorted pm me if interested.
re the replacement poly ones also pm me and i can put you in touch with richard who may make some more if he can be arsed! He always planned to.
They are good replacements and as they are clear, they are missing a few focus lines in the original that to my mind make little or no difference and passed through the mot here without a quiver, would fit us or uk market.

 

Speak to Ron in parts @ Carrs of Exeter. I dont think there is a difference as he said he could make up a set, 1 from FNA and 1 from a swiss dealer. We think that these were the only two remaining in the F-dealer network.

 

Alan -

I might have one or two that were recently found in King Tut's tomb. Give me a ring on Monday if you're interested. However, if Andrew can hook you up with polycarb covers that will certainly be more economical.


-Daniel @ Ricambi (336) 499-2500

 

I'm surprised that Bosch hasn't designed an aftermarket replacement version.

 

You got a pic of the poly lens mate?

 

what happened to mike seals project? Did he give up?

Daniel, you'll be happy to know my french lenses are still protected by that ultra thick plastic and are in great shape

 

No, I wouldn't say the project was "given up", I would say that it fell to the economy realities of manufacturing for such a minuscule market.

My fogs are also protected from that super thick ballistic stuff. What that stuff in place, I honestly don't even worry about the lamps. Anyone who doesn't have it, really should stop driving and guy buy some. (Griots, JC Whitney, AutoSport, etc.)

 

Daniel is absloutely correct...

You guys would not believe the pricing I was quoted for less than 10,000 pieces.... you could nearly buy the car for the cost of two lights and a spare for each side....

Oh, Daniel, I have your light here in my office... everyone likes the big Ferrari box... I just haven't preped it to ship back to you... will try and get to that today.

Mike in Kuwait

 

That's too bad...Would it be the same if it was made of clear plastic? My other hobby -- read infinite time sink -- is RC Helicopters and there are some guys forming detailed scale bodies with the same material coke bottles are made of. They do this in their home. Not sure what tooling is required, but I can't believe they've spent as much as a 348 on it

 

I have a friend that owns his own plastic fabrication shop.

He actually used to work underground, but left town to start this business.

Anywho, I called him the other to enquire about making some new polycarbonate 348 fog light lenses. That or make them from plastic etc...whatever, anything is possible.

Cost.......

To make a 'plastic die' to vaccum mould costs AU $8000. Vaccum forming them will be EXACTLY perfect and will fit perfectly everytime he said. Will also have the fog light "lines" in the lense etc....an exact replica of the stocko 348 one.

To make a 'tin/metal dye' to press mould costs around AU $2000. The press forming is still good, but wont be perfect like vaccum forming them. Some may be hard to fit etc....

Was thinking about it, but dont know if there is a BIG market for it. I mean, selling 1 every 6 months will take me 20 yrs just to cover the cost of the die!

 

From the pricing I got from India and China, that's not bad... the REALLY bad part is removing the old glass... it simply can't be done without taking a huge chance that you'll destroy the light assembly. My engineers looked long and hard, and we determined that is the long pole in the tent... so, I went back to the manufacturers and asked about whole assembly pricing, and it went through the roof...

So, you can't just make the glass and sell it, because the customer wouldn't be able to just replace the glass, at least not easily...

Amazing...

Mike in Kuwait

 

Interesting Mike!! Complete light assembly would be SCARY to know the total cost of such a project!!

I have never really had a good look at them, so I dont know how the glass is mounted/glued to it??

Unless I offer and exchange service. Send your light to me, will post another one out and I will fit the new poly cover etc...etc.... Wont take long before I get good at it.

Just gotta find 2x cracked donor lights first and then the balls to take this project on!

 

Pap,

Ask Daniel if he wants me to send you the light I have instead of sending it back to him...

Let me know....

Mike in Kuwait

 

Nah, its alright mate. If anything, I will just pull mine out and go from there.

 

I've been assured there should be a polycarb set or 2 up on ebay soon.
Re replacing the glass. this is not a job for the light hearted for sure. but not impossible as Mike suggests. Although the ones I have done have started with broken glass that did make it easier. digging out the old I did with sharp knife a small chisel and pliers to pull out old glass. with an hour or 2s work all was satisfactorily cleaned up ready for replacements to be stuck in.

 

Didn't mean to imply it is impossible, and my engineers may have erred on the side of caution, not wanting to take the chance of ruining a perfectly good light...

But the tests they did do, indicated to them that (at least on the light Daniel provided) it was a risk...

Mike in Kuwait

 

Yeah, that is exactly how I thought you would get it done!!

How much is your mate selling the polycarb set for Drew?? Do you know??

 

Arh here we agree entirely. there is no way I would try to get a good lens out, either the glass probably the plastic ruined. Breaking the glass is the way to do it. Its stuck with a lot of sikaflex that can only be mechanically removed.

Ill push him to get a move on and let us know.
This is a pic of one of mine after 6 months hard use, still perfect, indeed i fired an air rifle close range at an offcut with hardly a mark resulting.
Image Unavailable, Please Login

 

Dan, what's the name of it. I'd like to get some.