Fog light housing removal

[BlueMica]

Seems like this should be a job, but I'm stuck. I'm trying to replace my hazy and gross fog light assemblies with a new set of Depos. The existing housing appears to be attached by a nut. When a try to wrench it off, the nut and bolt turn together. Am I missing something here? Ideas on how to proceed?

 

[ToyotaBrah]

Sounds like the bolt piece isn't secure in the plastic housing anymore but still attached. I'd put on the wrench, use a grip plier to hold onto the portion of bolt sticking out past nut and then start turning wrench.

 

[BJJCruiser]

Sounds like the bolt piece isn't secure in the plastic housing anymore but still attached. I'd put on the wrench, use a grip plier to hold onto the portion of bolt sticking out past nut and then start turning wrench.

Yep, that sounds like the way to go. Might want to put some penetrating oil on it also (pb blaster or similar). I polished mine with a kit from the auto store. They look great now.

 

[BlueMica]

Thanks guys. I doused it with PB blaster, waited a day, then tried using vice grips and wrench. Still wouldn't budge, and in fact the vice grips began to deform the bolt. Guess I'll take a dremel to that nut this weekend.

 

[BJJCruiser]

Man that stinks. I wonder if anyone has a spare set of fog lights they would be willing to part with to help you out?

 

[Gnarwgn]

@BlueMica did you ever fix? Also what depos were you looking at replacing with? I'm thinking about the same upgrade for the same reasons, would love to see a couple pics of final product if you have!

 

[BlueMica]

@Gnarwgn I did fix it. I had to drill out the offending bolt. It was a PITA but glad to have done it. Having crystal clear foglight lenses makes a nice difference! I bought from eBay seller ranma21 who I think is also a member here on MUD.

 

[Gnarwgn]

looks sharp @BlueMica thanks for sharing!

 

[Gnarwgn]

@BlueMica - one more question - I ended up doing the same thing as you for the same reasons, snapped the bolt on the back of one of my 2 housings trying to remove, and they were already toast so ordered from @ranma21 thanks for the suggestion!

My question is - did you apply any type of protective film over your new fog housings? If so what did you use, if not why not? I'm just trying to understand if its worth the effort or no. Seems like these housings get hammered, so without knowing much other than the obvious I can't think of a good reason not to get the protective film?

 

[BlueMica]

@Gnarwgn I used Lamin-X on my M3 foglights because they are so low to the ground and tend to get blasted by road debris. I did not think to put a protective film on the LC foglights, though in retrospect it would have been a good idea... I might just do it, now that you mention it.

 

[Pyrenees]

@Gnarwgn I used Lamin-X on my M3 foglights because they are so low to the ground and tend to get blasted by road debris.

+1.

Back when I was an M3 guy, this is what everyone used and liked.

Now I have kids, lol.

PS what kind did you have? I had E36s.

 

[BlueMica]

@Pyrenees I have kids now, too, but have managed to hang on to my M3 (also an E36). A couple auto-x events a year is good for the soul!

 

[Pyrenees]

Ho lee s***.

I just freaked out because I thought you found out who I was and just posted a picture of my M3.

BRB in a few minutes...

 

[Pyrenees]

This was my M3. That is freakin hilarious.

 

[BlueMica]

Are you f'n kidding me???

And it's obviously a 95 as well (only year for Avus and the DSI wheels).

That's crazy, man... I can see why you were freaking out!

 

[Pyrenees]

Yep, 4/95 build. OBD-I. Dove gray inside, as I'm sure yours is too. Best overall sports car I've ever owned, although if I could wave a magic wand and bring just one of my previous cars back into my life it would be my E30. I freaking cherished that thing. I should have never sold it.

 

[BlueMica]

Oh man, that E30 is sweet... I know I'd never forgive myself if I let go of the E36... mine is actually Avus over black, which took a while to track down and would be hard to find again.

 

[Pyrenees]

Oh man, that E30 is sweet... I know I'd never forgive myself if I let go of the E36... mine is actually Avus over black, which took a while to track down and would be hard to find again.

At this point in the chronology, I don't blame you for keeping it.

I sold my M3 almost ten years ago. I had taken exceptional care of it, but at that time I let it go, it was coming up on a bunch of general maintenance (115k mi) and I was extremely busy with other things. Buyer was informed of everything, was happy to purchase it.

It was in great shape, I just didn't have the time to devote to keeping it perfect. I decided I'd rather let it go than watch it slowly go to s*** under my watch.

Then I drove a boring ass car for a few years and went back to another E36 when I had the time again

 

[Gnarwgn]

@Pyrenees and @BlueMica you are brothers from another mother! Or something like that...you may also live in the same zip code given the background of your bimmer pics, what are the chances!

Sorry to make this painfully boring, but as I've never applied a protective film and couldn't find a clear Lamin-X option (all colors mostly yellow), do you think the following is a legit substitute option or is there something specific about Lamin-X that I need to be considering?

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01LYNXGN...colid=LNEV426OMAZT&psc=0&ref_=lv_ov_lig_dp_it

 

[Greenbean]

You guys have convinced me to get a set of Depo fogs, yes I have done the restore kit and it does shine them up but all the crap that’s between the housing and the perimeter and the faded bulb tip cover inside the lens look like crap! 8 have LOTS and LOTS of miles on my factory fogs too!

Those Beemers are sweet, I spent my last year of an 18 yr service writing career at a BMW dealer, came from Honda/Acura and the very first vehicle I got to move and drive was an Alpina B7, the GM at the time was kind of a BMW collector of sorts. Had a storage facility across the state line with over 31 BMWs in it. Dude even had an early Dinan M6, absulotely beautiful vehicle!

@Gnarwgn, anything made by 3M I have come to trust for the most part.