Talk Morgan Forums Morgan Sports Cars Morgan Aero 8, 2012< Plus 8, SuperSports, Coupe & Aeromax Aero 8 S2 headlight issue

Anybody has similar issue with their Aero 8 S2 headlight?

It seems that the gray glue or hard plastic bond around the interior rim of the lens that attaches the lens to the housing of the headlight assembly appeared to separate or detached from the housing at several areas around the lens on both my front headlights.
(Sorry I can not attach a photo because the photo size is too big).

Can this be repaired or do I need to buy two new headlight assemblies? Does anybody know the cost of a new Aero S2 front headlight assembly. I was quoted $850 USD per headlight from a US dealership (plus shipping from the UK). I am located in Texas. However, the dealership told me that there is no right side headlight available currently at the factory.

I think the Aero 8 , S2 exported to the States was broadly similar to the UK S1.

The headlights are from the 'new' VW Beetle and ,confusingly, are swopped over on the Aero.Thus, the N/S VW becomes the O/S on the MORGAN and vice versa.

You can buy pattern parts in the UK but I have found that these do not fit too well.The best are either Bosch or Magnetti Marelli both of which which were OEM on the Aero (I think!).

One of the other TM'ers posted a while back that one of the headlamps (not sure if N/S or O/S) was now un-available, but you may be lucky in sourcing one.

If not, despite my comment above, Eurocarparts currently have pattern parts N/S and O/S in stock at £84 each (approx. $104 );see link -

VW Headlamps

The grey 'rubber' gasket nearly always splits and is very annoying as it lets road dust and dirt into the headlamp.

It is caused by over tightening the headlamp bracket - but it is very difficult to avoid (because it is a rubbish design ).

I am currently on my third set of headlamps.....

Good luck

James

Everything James said. Can you repair the answer is no when you put the headlamp back in the void carefully putting the lugs down the sliders and you fit the metal cradle support the tension nut will be overtightened for adgustement and over time will re open the crack or seal. However you can repair the lugs with a self tapper place a quarter of an inch of old biro over the screw a fill with Jb weld or similar a small bit of fileing is required. Always cable tie the support assembly to the car nothing holds it in except the lugs about 200 sterling if you loose it. Good luck with the adgustement pulling the wings and bonnet off for a service is a doddle adgusting the headlight without tension is a pisser. Em

- couldn't have put it better Em.

James

Thanks for the iinformation. What does N/S or O/S mean? Also, if it is the grey "rubber " gasket, not the glue or bond that splits, can you replace the gasket itself? Is the grey rubber gasket tightly bonded or glued between the lens and the housing?

Another question, on a new OEM headlight assembly, does the lens come tightly sealed or bonded to the housing, or can it be removed from the housing? Can the whole headlight assembly be inserted through the headlight opening once you remove the wheel?

N/S = Near Side ,i.e. the side nearest the kerb (or farthest away from where you are sitting!)

O/S = Off Side, i.e. the same side as the steering wheel

I think the gasket/bond/glue is all one and the same and you can't get access to it to repair it (I tried!)

The new headlamp is thoroughly bonded together and I don't believe you could split it without major damage.

Yes, once the wheel is removed you have access to the rear of the headlamp / fixings and can release it and remove it by bringing it forward - check the parts manual I answered in your other post for illustration.....

James

As the OP is in the USA I would use left and right. It would seem we are pretty much the only entity that uses N/S and O/S and as they drive on the "wrong" side of the road across the pond...

I do agree Graham - except you then inevitably get the question 'is that facing forward or standing in front of the car...?"

James

James I always quite "from the driver's seat"

For the headlamps the S1 and S2 both used the New Beetle.

However due to the opposite curvature of the body where they were placed a left light on the beetle was a right light on the Aero.

However for most of the rest of the car there were significant differences, wheel, axle, engine, gearbox, brakes, dash, hood, petrol tank positioning all got a big change. The S3 was like an S2 with a facelift and Mini lights.

You should be able to remove the wheel and change them yourself but beware of the very fiddly mounting. I believe the glass is bonded to the unit and thy are one item. Do NOT over tighten the mounts or it peels the lamp body away from the glass front allowing dirty and water to get in and giving it a black eye. I do not have a torque setting I am afraid as I let the dealer do it for me knowing it was a pain.