Stephen00TL

I'm replacing my headlights next week. Is there any seals I need to replace. I saw somewhere you need to but I'm not sure which ones need to be replaced, it looks like there are two different ones

tOny3

iTrader: (9)

You don't have to but you use butyl tape, it's a form of silicone tape. Get some from TRS

ANC297

iTrader: (2)

What are you using this to seal exactly?

Stephen00TL

I've read if you don't replace the seal the headlights will leak.

AznWay

iTrader: (8)

the 1st time i clear my headlight i just bought some black silicone sealant from local auto part store. My clear headlight is still holding up good for being 5+ years

Stephen00TL

I'm talking about the seal for the bulbs and the ballast.

ANC297

iTrader: (2)

Oh gotcha. Yeah I was gonna say I used silicone when I blacked out mine and they just leaked on me for the first time last month after 3 years

smartypants

If they're not leaking now, I wouldn't touch them. I don't believe there is a rubber seal around the bulb holder, at least I didn't see one. You don't have to remove the headlight pod to change the bulbs.

If you have condensation inside the pod(s), then you have no choice.

Make sure you have a Torx Security driver !

acutee

There are two seal rings: 1 is for the bulb housing, 1 is for the ballast. I wouldn't worry about the headlight housing rubber seal as it is rubber or unless it is bad. The seal ring that is used between the ballast and the headlight housing is the culprit. It is made kind of spongy foam, how stupid that could be. Water kills the ballasts, burns out the lights means hazardous at night. Should have been a safety recall. Heat from ballast dries it out, shrinks it causing the leak; also the spongy foam tends to absorb water and the heat sends the moisture into the headlight. You need a new seal for this, they could have made it better for the known (unadmitted) condensation problem. Find my other posts that explains what to do if you chose not to replace it.

Stephen00TL

Thanks that's is exactly what I needed to know

WholesalePartsGuy

ACUTEE , Is a 100% correct and those seals you can get at the dealer they are not that much. If you are going with the stock headlights I can get you a really good price for them if you are considering new. If intrested send me a pm and I'll get you a price quote. Thanks Larry

smartypants

(I'm slapping myself up side my head as I type this) Yes, I now remember the rubber seal around the bulb socket...it's kind of like a rubber band.....

Sorry for the miss-direction......

Stephen00TL

Thanks I would have but I bought brand new ones from a local dealer a week or two ago. They price matched a place for me so I only paid 320-330$ total. I'll try to use you in the future if I can though

It's cool my question was kind of misleading. I'm just glad to have it figured out. I don't want te new headlights to leak. Thanks for the help

01tl4tl

you bought stock bulbs at the dealer? wow
and you think the ballast and capacitor are fine?

Stephen00TL

Umm I think I said I bought bulbs. I bought brand new headlight housings so that wa I could keep driving my car and not have to worry about them turning yellow for a few years. Eventually I'm going to replace it with a 55watt kit from hidextra, I think I'm going to get a 55watt kit for the high beams too.

smartypants

I got mine from Amazon.com in Sylvania logo'd boxes for $35 each. Watch out for white boxes that are Chineese copies and may have a questionable lifespan.

Good luck !

3.2TLc

Sometimes even at that good of a price, ya still have to wonder if they are the real McCoy.
I'll bet the Chinese are brave enough to knock off the box as well !

But, getting two for the price of one is worth a shot in my book. Thanks !

Stephen00TL

I meant I didn't bulbs just the housing

01tl4tl

that makes more sense,,
I went with blacked out housings on the bay, then 35watt kit to solve that prob
yellowing of lens not our big issue
use of lens cleaner-plastic cleaner and polish keep that under control
but the leak issue...new oe will fix that --for a while~

on 55watt- our housing type- bulb reflector doesnt work well with the 55,,not controlled enough, lost light and light blinding other drivers.
I would add fog lights/driving lights mounted down low to see road with
and get 35watt that output like 55 units
aftermarket has many options,
bulb HEAT becomes an issue with the 55s
that small drain hole on bottem of housing,= heat escape!

Stephen00TL

Thanks for the input on the 55watt headlight, I'll stick with 35 watt. No need to do fog lights with the car lowered It lights up the entire road. Plus I'm getting a new bumper put on next week