High Level Brake Light Adrift

stevestrat · 18th October 2012, 19:23

I'm suffering from a dangling high level brake light, come adrift at one side. I've seen numerous posts about what adhesive to use etc but . . . . err, this might well seem like a stupid question . . . . just what am I going to try to stick to what

I haven't taken the brake light off yet, don't want to disturb it 'til I know what I'm doing. I've looked at the parts diagram on Rimmers but there's no clues from that.

suzublu · 18th October 2012, 19:27

The plastic cover has 2 screws which go into plastic receiver grommets,& usually,the edges of the cover gets broken when removed.So,around the edge of the cover is where i would think,is the best place to glue,or double sided tape.

Unclefista · 18th October 2012, 19:32

Assuming the bolt has come adrift from the screen, I've had the same problem, I tried allsorts with no success until I tried the adhesive that comes with a small catalyst mesh. Sold for interior mirrors.

IIRC there are a couple of screws to remove the cover, then 2 nuts that hold the housing to the 2 bolts that are fixed to the screen.

Just scrape the old adhesive off, cut the mesh pad into 2 pieces and stick the bolts back to the glass. It's easier this way as you can stick the bolts back separately. Don't forget to measure the distance between the holes in the housing so you know how far apart to position the bolts, the adhesive sets like rock (mine was a couple of mm off and had to enlarge the holes with a file)

chris75 · 18th October 2012, 19:32

Quote:

Originally Posted by stevestrat

I haven't taken the brake light off yet, don't want to disturb it 'til I know what I'm doing. I've looked at the parts diagram on Rimmers but there's no clues from that.

I had this. It's one of those cases where you can't see what's broken until you take it apart ! Once you do it will be obvious - plastic rubbish strikes again

Platemaker · 18th October 2012, 19:42

Loctite 312 and 736 primer and adhesive are what I used in the trade (Autoglass and Nationals plus body shop) when refitting any objects to windows.
It's good stuff and will glue all kinds of stuff. I have refitted the part your talking about with the above.

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Loctite-442-.../dp/B002C2IVXM

stevestrat · 28th October 2012, 10:11

This is a pain in the . . . . right enough! Superglue lasted about a day, epoxy resin did about 3 days. The Loctite 319/736 combo looks good but nearly £30, for £30 I'd want somebody in the back seat holding the light up

Unclefista, is that the Loctite rear view mirror bonder you used?

Unclefista · 28th October 2012, 10:21

I tried all the things you tried, I even tried hot glue I was so desperate, everything just gave up in the sun (was the hottest part of the year).

The thing I used that worked was specially designed and marketed for interior mirrors.
It's a small tube of adhesive, along with a mesh pad.
You stick the pad to the mirror using the glue, it reacts with the catalyst on the pad and sets like rock.

Available from your local motor factors or eBay for 2-3 quid.

Here's the exact stuff I used.
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/3207620779...84.m1438.l2649

Plezier · 28th October 2012, 16:19

Will have to look at mine as the passenger side has come adrift.. I think some one previously has stuck it with adhesive tape in the past

.

Another point the vendor failed to mention.

Arctic · 29th October 2012, 00:51

I will try and pop an how to remove and fit back the light tomorrow when i have time but a few pics below until i can Arctic.

Gate Keeper · 29th October 2012, 04:01

The type of resin and mesh is half the answer. The rest is the method of application. Once you have settled on which adhesive to use from the suggestions here, apply to the securing pads first and allow them to harden and take for at least 4-6 hours before re-assembling the rest of the light, otherwise the application process will fail. It's a fiddly job as you know.

18th October 2012, 19:23	#1
stevestrat This is my second home ZT260 #243 (resting) Join Date: May 2010 Location: Prestonpans Posts: 22,488 Thanks: 650 Thanked 4,624 Times in 3,358 Posts	High Level Brake Light Adrift I'm suffering from a dangling high level brake light, come adrift at one side. I've seen numerous posts about what adhesive to use etc but . . . . err, this might well seem like a stupid question . . . . just what am I going to try to stick to what I haven't taken the brake light off yet, don't want to disturb it 'til I know what I'm doing. I've looked at the parts diagram on Rimmers but there's no clues from that. __________________ Steve T4 Location Map

18th October 2012, 19:32	#3
Unclefista Posted a thing or two Rover 75 CDT Join Date: Sep 2011 Location: Bradford Posts: 1,478 Thanks: 1 Thanked 14 Times in 8 Posts	Assuming the bolt has come adrift from the screen, I've had the same problem, I tried allsorts with no success until I tried the adhesive that comes with a small catalyst mesh. Sold for interior mirrors. IIRC there are a couple of screws to remove the cover, then 2 nuts that hold the housing to the 2 bolts that are fixed to the screen. Just scrape the old adhesive off, cut the mesh pad into 2 pieces and stick the bolts back to the glass. It's easier this way as you can stick the bolts back separately. Don't forget to measure the distance between the holes in the housing so you know how far apart to position the bolts, the adhesive sets like rock (mine was a couple of mm off and had to enlarge the holes with a file) __________________ Love is like a snowmobile, speeding across the frozen tundra. Which suddenly flips, pinning you underneath. At night the ice-weasels come... http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5331/6...77671f80_n.jpg Last edited by Unclefista; 18th October 2012 at 19:40..

18th October 2012, 19:42	#5
Platemaker I really should get out more....... MG ZT-T 160, MG ZT 180. Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: N/A Posts: 2,384 Thanks: 27 Thanked 24 Times in 20 Posts	Loctite 312 and 736 primer and adhesive are what I used in the trade (Autoglass and Nationals plus body shop) when refitting any objects to windows. It's good stuff and will glue all kinds of stuff. I have refitted the part your talking about with the above. http://www.amazon.co.uk/Loctite-442-.../dp/B002C2IVXM __________________ Last edited by Platemaker; 18th October 2012 at 19:45..

28th October 2012, 10:11	#6
stevestrat This is my second home ZT260 #243 (resting) Join Date: May 2010 Location: Prestonpans Posts: 22,488 Thanks: 650 Thanked 4,624 Times in 3,358 Posts	This is a pain in the . . . . right enough! Superglue lasted about a day, epoxy resin did about 3 days. The Loctite 319/736 combo looks good but nearly £30, for £30 I'd want somebody in the back seat holding the light up Unclefista, is that the Loctite rear view mirror bonder you used? __________________ Steve T4 Location Map

28th October 2012, 10:21	#7
Unclefista Posted a thing or two Rover 75 CDT Join Date: Sep 2011 Location: Bradford Posts: 1,478 Thanks: 1 Thanked 14 Times in 8 Posts	I tried all the things you tried, I even tried hot glue I was so desperate, everything just gave up in the sun (was the hottest part of the year). The thing I used that worked was specially designed and marketed for interior mirrors. It's a small tube of adhesive, along with a mesh pad. You stick the pad to the mirror using the glue, it reacts with the catalyst on the pad and sets like rock. Available from your local motor factors or eBay for 2-3 quid. Here's the exact stuff I used. http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/3207620779...84.m1438.l2649 __________________ Love is like a snowmobile, speeding across the frozen tundra. Which suddenly flips, pinning you underneath. At night the ice-weasels come... http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5331/6...77671f80_n.jpg Last edited by Unclefista; 28th October 2012 at 10:30..

18th October 2012, 19:27	#2
suzublu This is my second home rover 75 1.8 vvc club se wedgwood blue Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: Seaton Carew Posts: 26,922 Thanks: 65 Thanked 7,142 Times in 4,642 Posts	The plastic cover has 2 screws which go into plastic receiver grommets,& usually,the edges of the cover gets broken when removed.So,around the edge of the cover is where i would think,is the best place to glue,or double sided tape.

28th October 2012, 16:19	#8
Plezier I really should get out more....... Mercedes C Class CDI estate (2003) Join Date: Sep 2012 Location: Gradina Posts: 2,652 Thanks: 62 Thanked 137 Times in 119 Posts	Will have to look at mine as the passenger side has come adrift.. I think some one previously has stuck it with adhesive tape in the past . Another point the vendor failed to mention. __________________ Classic SE CDT sadly lost in a severe collision.

29th October 2012, 04:01	#10
Gate Keeper This is my second home 4X4 Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: Nairobi Posts: 20,073 Thanks: 8,286 Thanked 7,017 Times in 4,160 Posts	The type of resin and mesh is half the answer. The rest is the method of application. Once you have settled on which adhesive to use from the suggestions here, apply to the securing pads first and allow them to harden and take for at least 4-6 hours before re-assembling the rest of the light, otherwise the application process will fail. It's a fiddly job as you know.