Before you let go of heater on plastic welder; while the clip is melting the plastic on both parts - twist it on one side. So the metal clip also gets stuck sideways also, much better grip on both parts.
Must be a pre-face lift thing with that sealer that needs heating. Post face lift e53 uses a rubber gasket and easier to change once the housing is removed from the vehicle. Significantly more difficult to remove the housing though...
I use plastic wedge tools to split the lights. Picked up a set at Advance Auto Parts for under $10. Can also bake the headlight to weaken the glue. I think that Sikkaflex is the proper glue for this.
Any need to clean out the old adhesive first? Also I question using RTV/silicone here. Thinking something like butyl rope would be less messy and less permanent. Anyway, good info, my E53 will get new eyes installed soon! It's also a 5-speed, with the xenon headlights.
Hi frank love the video I have a 2006 x5 4.8is my head lights have condensation in them I was wondering if I send my headlights to you will you repair them for me ? Ty
I just tried to do the passenger side one -- it was replaced at the dealer years ago for condensation. The glue that holds the lens on was not meltable. The housing melted but the glue did not. I basically destroyed the light trying to get the lens out. So beware of the different glue used in some of the headlights which makes this job impossible.
I just did mine, a 2001 with Xenon. There are four connectors for the Xenon, not three, and the light and Xenon ballast must come out of the car separately.
So Jan 2022... in 6 months price went up to $141... Inflation is real. But in any case, I didn't think that you could replace just the plastic cover, and spent 3 hours polishing the thing with the 3M Headlight Restoration Kit and it's still a bit hazy. Should have just replaced it like you did. I know some people put the whole thing in the oven, but I like the heat gun method better, less chance of melting the whole thing in the oven. And your cookies won't taste like plastic.
Could someone advise where I can buy these? I’ve seen many on eBay but it looks like they’re simply a cover that snaps on over the existing lens. If anyone can direct me I’d sure appreciate it. Thanks!
Thanks for the reply. Just to clarify, are you telling me that all of the ones on eBay are actual replacements and not just some sort of accessory that snaps over the existing headlight? I had one eBay seller tell me that but I’m not so sure they knew what they were talking about. Wouldn’t be the first time with eBay sellers.
@@Garageaholic do you know where I can buy replacements? The link you have on eBay says they are not currently available. Thanks so much for your help. 😊👍🏼
I’m not surprised, the auctions expire, get replaced or supplanted with similar items. The ones you buy are just like the ones I had in the video. Just need to look. Try ECS or FCP to get replacement lenses
eBay, $100 or so, and they're direct replacements for the old ones. I got a set today and will install once the butyl rope shows up. If your E53 is post-LCI (facelift, 2003-06) this will not work. The ones I got look exactly like the ones in the video.
@@Garageaholic Not true ,you obviously never done 10/2002 onwards headlights ...when Hella changed the sealant to non melting ..these can only be opened by cutting.
Pay close attention. This impossible to do without crunching up the light housing. It’s even wrecked in this video. Can’t soften the glue without softening the plastic along with it
“Crunching up” the light housing? These covers were installed and sealed originally with Butyl tape, which is OEM. Replacing these e53 covers is as easy as replacing e46 covers. I’ve done both.
@@Garageaholic Yeah the lip of the housing that the cover sits in gets crunched/bent/chipped. 2:08 on this vid can see it’s the same as mine. Can’t be helped and is still hidden inside the guards and rubber seal when re-installed. Was more of a reference for people to realise it’s going to happen but doesn’t hurt the install
Another great video. Well paced and clearly spoken
Thanks!!
Nicely done .All pre facelift X5 E53 to 10/2002 are easy to do.Done many ....difficult are the 2003 ones..need to be cut.
Before you let go of heater on plastic welder; while the clip is melting the plastic on both parts - twist it on one side. So the metal clip also gets stuck sideways also, much better grip on both parts.
Good point that helps a lot!
@@Garageaholic just to be clear, do the twist before pulling out!
Yes! It smooshes the melted plastic together more coherently!
Must be a pre-face lift thing with that sealer that needs heating.
Post face lift e53 uses a rubber gasket and easier to change once the housing is removed from the vehicle. Significantly more difficult to remove the housing though...
Dr. Frank, love the work on this video!! I did not know about the plastic melting/fusing tool... Thank you!!
Yeah really cool isn’t it Gil!?!
Awesome video. You make it look so EZ. Thank you.
I use plastic wedge tools to split the lights. Picked up a set at Advance Auto Parts for under $10. Can also bake the headlight to weaken the glue. I think that Sikkaflex is the proper glue for this.
Great video. Will do my headlight soon too. Thnx!
Any need to clean out the old adhesive first? Also I question using RTV/silicone here. Thinking something like butyl rope would be less messy and less permanent. Anyway, good info, my E53 will get new eyes installed soon! It's also a 5-speed, with the xenon headlights.
Hi frank love the video I have a 2006 x5 4.8is my head lights have condensation in them I was wondering if I send my headlights to you will you repair them for me ? Ty
I just tried to do the passenger side one -- it was replaced at the dealer years ago for condensation. The glue that holds the lens on was not meltable. The housing melted but the glue did not. I basically destroyed the light trying to get the lens out. So beware of the different glue used in some of the headlights which makes this job impossible.
Use butyl tape instead of Permatex.
That's pretty cool actually. thanks for suggesting!
Dude - that stuff is awesome!! Thanks!!
I just did mine, a 2001 with Xenon. There are four connectors for the Xenon, not three, and the light and Xenon ballast must come out of the car separately.
To be correct. Outer adjustment is for horizontal and inner adjustment is for vertical
One is for high beam, one is for low beam. Might be different on facelift e53’s
So Jan 2022... in 6 months price went up to $141... Inflation is real. But in any case, I didn't think that you could replace just the plastic cover, and spent 3 hours polishing the thing with the 3M Headlight Restoration Kit and it's still a bit hazy. Should have just replaced it like you did. I know some people put the whole thing in the oven, but I like the heat gun method better, less chance of melting the whole thing in the oven. And your cookies won't taste like plastic.
which lens can i use for a 2004 x5?
You make it look simple
Mate, good video but your should of bought the proper butil tape to seal the headlight.
That came out great Frank. Thanks for sharing. And btw, can Jess drive stick? Dutch regards, Nico.
She does! All of my cars are manual - all 6 of them! Not an auto in sight!
Gr8 job m8, you`re so crazy!
Gee arr eight emm eight lmao
Could someone advise where I can buy these? I’ve seen many on eBay but it looks like they’re simply a cover that snaps on over the existing lens. If anyone can direct me I’d sure appreciate it. Thanks!
It doesn’t snap on the existing lens. It replaces the factory lens
Thanks for the reply. Just to clarify, are you telling me that all of the ones on eBay are actual replacements and not just some sort of accessory that snaps over the existing headlight? I had one eBay seller tell me that but I’m not so sure they knew what they were talking about. Wouldn’t be the first time with eBay sellers.
@@Garageaholic do you know where I can buy replacements? The link you have on eBay says they are not currently available. Thanks so much for your help. 😊👍🏼
I’m not surprised, the auctions expire, get replaced or supplanted with similar items.
The ones you buy are just like the ones I had in the video. Just need to look. Try ECS or FCP to get replacement lenses
eBay, $100 or so, and they're direct replacements for the old ones. I got a set today and will install once the butyl rope shows up. If your E53 is post-LCI (facelift, 2003-06) this will not work. The ones I got look exactly like the ones in the video.
Where can i buy those lens for my e53 is there a link for those ?
Did you read the description of my video?
hello please help does this apply to x5 2003
2001 to 2003 have same design. 2004+ went to updated shape of the covers.
No ....after 10/2002 Hella changed the glue to non melting,needs cutting
where can i buy
I don’t understand your question
Ebay
Like it. Brp Brp!!!
Thanks
THX bro
NP mang
@@Garageaholic Not true ,you obviously never done 10/2002 onwards headlights ...when Hella changed the sealant to non melting
..these can only be opened by cutting.
Should probably identify pre-facelift 2001-2003 in your video title... nice work though!
Right most enthusiasts know from the thumbnail that it’s pre facelift but good point!
Pay close attention. This impossible to do without crunching up the light housing. It’s even wrecked in this video. Can’t soften the glue without softening the plastic along with it
“Crunching up” the light housing? These covers were installed and sealed originally with Butyl tape, which is OEM. Replacing these e53 covers is as easy as replacing e46 covers. I’ve done both.
@@Garageaholic Yeah the lip of the housing that the cover sits in gets crunched/bent/chipped. 2:08 on this vid can see it’s the same as mine. Can’t be helped and is still hidden inside the guards and rubber seal when re-installed. Was more of a reference for people to realise it’s going to happen but doesn’t hurt the install
Mate, an absolute non-worker for me. Got nowhere with this. Mine is a 2004 and this just did nothing.
Yeah you have the facelift version.