5th Gen sidelight bulb installed depth

Scott560 · Post by **Scott560** » Sun Mar 24, 2019 6:13 pm

Something that has always annoyed me...

I've put in some new sidelights today, only to notice that the passenger side the bulb protrudes into the reflector, whereas the drivers side, the bulb is sitting much further back, leading to a mismatched reflection.

Not a biggy, but couldn't quite see why they were different. the reflector appears in the correct position in the headlight on both sides. Its almost as if the drives side need an extra 1cm extension on the bulb holder to get it to the same place with respect to the passenger reflector.

Anyone elses the same?

Post by **NafemanNathan** » Sun Mar 24, 2019 8:01 pm

I imagine it's down to the position of the bulb holder being symmetrically the same (inboard on both), but the curved reflectors are subtly angled in the same direction, so the through hole on the reflector is up on one bulb holder and down on the other.

Scott560 · Post by **Scott560** » Sun Mar 24, 2019 9:23 pm

Yeah if anyone can take a look in the day tomorrow, its about 5 to 10mm further back. needs a bulb extender but don't think they exist!

guess i could extend the wires on the bottom of the new bulb, and glue something to it or even glue it to the holder to get the right distance. Chances are the bulb holder is cheaper than the LED bulb in there (treated myself to some fancy phillips ones!). I've come to the conclusion that all ebay bulbs are utter tripe, every single one of em!

Post by **NafemanNathan** » Sun Mar 24, 2019 10:04 pm

Do you use just your side lights?

Scott560 · Post by **Scott560** » Mon Mar 25, 2019 8:26 am

Not especially - but it has to match to look good...

Post by **NafemanNathan** » Mon Mar 25, 2019 9:13 am

When your low beam is on you surely can't tell anyway...?

89 UKDM BA4 4WS (resto job!) · Post by **wurlycorner** » Sun Mar 31, 2019 12:13 am

NafemanNathan wrote: ↑
Mon Mar 25, 2019 9:13 am
When your low beam is on you surely can't tell anyway...?

Nafe... This coming from a perfectionist like you

I'm sure you understand fully...