R129 Headlight Bezel Replacement for Mercedes 300SL, 320SL, 500SL or 600SL
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- Опубліковано 3 сер 2024
- This video shows all the steps in removing your old headlight bezel and replacing it with a new one.
This how-to video applies to most Mercedes R129s. The video is also useful for those of you looking to replace your headlight bulb or side light bulb. It will work for model years: 1990, 1991, 1992, 1993, 1994, 1995, 1996, 1997, 1998 and 1999.
The demonstration is on the driver side, but applies equally to the passenger side. The car shown is a 1992 Mercedes Benz 300SL.
Part number (driver side): 129-826-03-59
Part number (passenger side): 129-826-04-59
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Please check out my other R129 DIY How-To Videos or subscribe as I will be adding more videos.
Disclaimer - The content of this video is available for informational and educational purposes only. It is not intended to be a substitute for professional advice. I do my best to provide accurate and complete information, however, I assume no liability for any property or personal damage that may arise from any of the information contained in this video. Due to factors beyond the control of Handy Val, no information contained in this video shall create any express or implied warranty or guarantee of any particular result. Handy Val always recommends safe practices. - Навчання та стиль
I cant stress enough how happy i am to find your account! I look forward to seeing many more tutorial videos! I just bought my 94 sl320 about a month ago and plan on turning it into a show car
Thank you. More videos are planned and on their way. I love your vision on making your R129 a show car. I’m sure you’ll achieve it. Let’s all strive for it!
Instead of shelling out big bucks for the bezels, I repaired mine.They were chipped and cracked. What I did was filled in the chips and sanded it. I then spray painted them using a color pretty similar to the body paint which in my car is smoke silver.Looks a lot better now than before and I only spent like 6 bucks on the paint.
Thank you. These cars give a few options for the bezel. A replacement is the obvious option however a repair is the lesser known option that many may not know, but now do because of you and this comment.
Good video by the way thanks for taking the time
Thanks.
My goto R129 - great stuff
Thank you. I appreciate the positive feedback and it encourages me to keep making more videos on these great cars.
thanks for this video
Glad to help.
Great video, and super helpful! I'm swapping out my North American spec headlight assemblies for the Euro style (primarily because I hate the look of the North American style, and the halogen lighting is so weak in this R129 spec). This helped me understand the steps to take each assembly off of my 1995 SL500.
Thank you. I don’t know why Mercedes used different headlights for the different markets. I know on the R107s and the W124s the American regulator required a different bumper for safety reasons (bigger and uglier). I believe it’s as simple as a swap - remove the North American and replace with the Euro (plug and play).
@@HandyVal I put a reply/comment below on-line with another thread. It had to do with US DOT headlight alignment requirements at the time.
Thanks. They certainly messed up that one!
I definitely want to do that swap on my 1998 SL500. But I’m also considering the factory HID’s if the would even work. I’m still unsure if the halogen to HID swap would work but I’m eager to find out!
Thanks used video today to replace mine
I’m happy to have helped!
Does anyone actually know why the US headlights have the bezel? This is after the law was changed to allow composite lights...
It's a good question and I don't have a definitive answer. The US spec headlights were required by the US Department of Transportation (DOT) and by default this lead to Mercedes installing US DOT on Canadian cars too. The US headlights allowed the US DOT to more easily test (with their tools) whether the light pattern and level were within the US specs. I guess Mercedes could only do this with a smaller headlight casing that then required a bezel to fill the gap. You'll notice the US specs headlights have three nipples on them. Those nipples were used by the US DOT for their testing. I hope this helps. If anyone else knows more please add to this discussion.
Thank you Handy.
May I ask you if it is easy to clean the Front Fog Light glass from inside?
I haven’t done this. The glass cover of the fog light assembly is held together by clips to allow for cleaning. The clips differ from pre and post facelift cars. But to get to the clips to unclip them you have to remove the fog light assembly. It is held together by two bolts/screws connected to the bumper. It’s cramped, but possible to remove.
@@HandyVal Thank you very much Sir.
Great video. I need to reapply mirrored paint to the inside of the light as mine has faded. Do you know if it is possible to further dismantle the light? Many thanks
I know for certain some of the older Mercedes (non-R129) headlights dismantle further so you can paint the reflective portion (or clean the inside part of the clear lens). For the R129s, the headlight unit is one unit where the clear lens portion and the back plastic portion are glued together, instead of screwed together. It is sold as one complete unit (OEM). However, I checked a used headlamp on eBay and one vendor showed pictures where they were separated. So, I think it is possible, but risky as you need to pry the two apart without damaging either.
Should have changed the headlight glass as well it’s the wrong one to have the wiper will hit the bump on the glass and break the motor I don’t know who some Mercedes use this class but if you look at the germen mercedes they don’t have the headlight glass nipple that Pops out
Thanks. You make a good observation. I thought those bumps helped keep the headlight wiper on track. I'm not sure if it's possible to change the glass only part of the assembly. I think you need to change the whole assembly, as that's how it is sold, but I don't know for certain.
Nice to know. Thank you! Mat explain why mine stopped working
The bumps (or “nibs”) are from the era when sealed beam headlights were the norm. They are the contact points for a mechanical tool that was used to determine the correct aim points. Basically the tool is a spirit level with a plate that rests against the bumps on the lens. The lamp adjusting screws, under the hood, are adjusted until the level reads correctly. This was specified by the US DOT. That's why you see a different style of headlight design (with no nibs and no bezel) for non North American R129s. Thankfully, headlight alignment is now measured electronically and the need for nibs on the headlights is no longer a North American requirement.
couldnt you just sand and polish the existing ones around the headlight?
The original bezels on the R129s were prone to sun damage, so much so that the plastic would get brittle and then break. New bezels have a built-in UV protectant. Mine was at the point of breaking. The headlight on my R129 is glass. I wish I could have used a headlight restorer kit on the bezel, but sadly not possible. Some of the newer R129s don’t have a bezel - it’s all headlight.
@@HandyVal I believe even facelifted r129's had headlight bezels. If the bezel is not cracked but discolored you should be able to sand and polish them.
I think you’re right. It should be possible to do.
replace it with the European light they look 100% better than the US
Thanks for sharing your view. It’s shared by others too. I think it comes down to the cost. It’s really a balance between spending the extra money on the Euro lights or improving the US look with new bezels with only a small spend.
What different us or eu??