W202 Indicators - Crystal Clear

[salesac1]

Newbie seeking help! I am doing a few straightforward mods to my C200 Classic Selection (W 2000) and bought a pair of these crystal clear indicators (the cheapest ones of course):
http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/Mercedes-C-Cl...ryZ14763QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

Simple replacement I thought, but I am struggling to fit them. For fitting purposes they look virtually identical to the Bosch originals but somehow the front inner edge with its rubber seal seems to push up closer against the side of the headlamp surround and therefore will not allow the whole unit to slide into place. I can get the two plastic lugs on that side to locate at the entrances to where they should go, it is just that the unit itself doesn't want to push into place. I am holding open the internal securing clip from inside the bonnet whilst pushing the unit from the front, but no success. The originals however just slot back in perfectly.
What should be a quick job now seems like it may require adjustment of the headlamp surround to try to give a little more room to fit these indicators. I guess that what cheap gets you .
If anyone has fitted these, had similar problems or can give me any tips on fitting them, I'd be v. grateful.
Cheers..

 

[television]

What you do is to file away the edge of the plastic where it meets the headlamp or the bottom carefully and this will allow it to pop in.

 

[salesac1]

Thanks Television. I've just compared the original Bosch clear lens with the crystal ones again. I notice that on the crystals the inner edges of both the casing and the lens cover itself seem to extend further out by several mm than the Bosch ones - both seem to need filing from top to bottom and I am not sure I trust myself to do that effectively.

I have assumed that there are no OEM/Bosch crystal clear indicator lenses for the W202, only the clear ones - is that correct? If anyone has managed to fit a crystal clear pair to the facelift 202 without having to do any adjustments, I'd be interested to know where they were from.

Must say I have learnt a lot already from this forum, it's nice to be here.

Thanks

 

[television]

Its nice to have you here. It is not easy just to change the rubbers as the MB ones are stuck on.

By taking it off the bottom,more is gained and cant be seen. If you can get to the headlamp fixing screws you could slacken them and try to move the light over a bit, as that would help.

By using a sharp fine file and use it longways and not across the edge a much finer finish can be obtained with no danger of cracking the plastic, and finish off with fine sand paper, then T cut or metal polish will restore the shine to the edge

They will go in .

By putting a strip of masking tape down the edge, say 1mm in will guarantee that you keep a straight edge and give something to work to

 

[salesac1]

I trust you that they will go in, television, I just don't really trust myself with the filing work. Moving the headlamp over a bit sounds promising as there seems to be room to do so - can you advise how I would access the headlamp fixing screws? It doesn't seem to be in the MB manual.

 

[television]

there are two screws on top and possibly another underneath, the bumper may be in the way of the bottom screw.

Can anyone else advise on this
http://www.detali.ru/cat/oem_mb2.as...GM=716.624&CT=F&cat=45H&SID=82&SGR=180&SGN=08

 

[BlackC55]

the indicator unit should just pop in with no effort.

 

[television]

the indicator unit should just pop in with no effort.

These are Hong Kong specials, I have fitted them to a 129 and a 210 but have had to flile away 1mm of the side where they meet the headlamp, and it helps if the lamp is moved over a touch

 

[salesac1]

Actually they are Taiwan specials .

 

[television]

Actually they are Taiwan specials .

I will have to stop making these wild claims they look very nice when they are in, and bring the front up to date

 

[salesac1]

With the original indicator lens out, took a good look at the headlamp fitting tonite. Removed a screw on top and one on the outer side. Also removed the ornamental trim below the headlamp and indicator. Headlamp casing will rock back and forth but not to the side. It appears there are at least 3 metal clips securing the headlamp lens inside its casing and the bottom of this casing - without any break - then extends across to form a bridge underneath where the indicator lens sits, finally being secured by a screw into the wing. The holes for inserting the lugs of the indicator lens are part of this whole casing.
What this means, as far as I can tell, is that I can't change the spacing between the indicator lens and the headlamp lens. Therefore, moving the headlamp lens to the side will not benefit me in fitting the Taiwan specials.
Looks like I will need to dust off the workbench and try my hand with a fine file if I want to sort this one out .

 

[television]

With the original indicator lens out, took a good look at the headlamp fitting tonite. Removed a screw on top and one on the outer side. Also removed the ornamental trim below the headlamp and indicator. Headlamp casing will rock back and forth but not to the side. It appears there are at least 3 metal clips securing the headlamp lens inside its casing and the bottom of this casing - without any break - then extends across to form a bridge underneath where the indicator lens sits, finally being secured by a screw into the wing. The holes for inserting the lugs of the indicator lens are part of this whole casing.
What this means, as far as I can tell, is that I can't change the spacing between the indicator lens and the headlamp lens. Therefore, moving the headlamp lens to the side will not benefit me in fitting the Taiwan specials.
Looks like I will need to dust off the workbench and try my hand with a fine file if I want to sort this one out .

You can also use medium sand paper and a wooden block.

 

[salesac1]

I tried but failed !! ...see eBay Item #130159939333. Going cheap.

I needed to replace my original clear indicators anyhow - moisture was getting inside them and they were showing the cosmetic effects of 102K miles, so my eventual (non-mod) solution has been simply to buy a new set of the standard Bosch indicators. They do make quite a difference, especially with my shiny new chrome bulbs inside.

Best bit was paying £29.92 inc VAT for the pair at eurocarparts, compared to the stealership quote of £43 + VAT EACH .

Thanks again for the help & advice - don't forget to check my listing .

 

[television]

Sorry to hear that, they do look nice in

http://forums.mercedesclub.org.uk/attachment.php?attachmentid=826&d=1131053085

 

[salesac1]

Yes I like the look of those. They seem a slightly different design to my Taiwan specials. But I've somehow pulled myself out of the gloom they brought on ...and an eBayer's just bought them too :bannana: .