Cracked 3rd Brake Light

[sharpyboy]

Hi there guys,



Just a couple of questions ref the 3rd brake light, are they known to crack? Is the cause known? Is the crack an MOT failure? Is it a good excuse to replace with a clear unit? Is it easy to remove? Has anyone got one for sale? Is this too many questions?

Thanks

 

[obewan]

yep they crack all the time - loads of posts on here about it, including step by step guides to fix new lens
Not an MOT failure
Dead easy to replace, just don't over-tighten or purchase new (weaker) springs
Sopers of Lincoln are normally the best bet, just mention the forum for a discount
Red ones are more expensive than clear

 

[Marlon]

obewan covered pretty much everything - here's a YouTube 'how to' guide that I found helpful:

[youtube]2Hzgdz6SH04[/youtube]

 

[Doddsy]

I replaced my cracked third brake lamp with a clear unit back in January and it' just started to break last month. Keep your receipts if you buy from a main dealer and buy the springs to. So when it happens again BMW can do a warranty claim and replace it for you.

 

[Marius]

Cut springs in the half, did that on both my cars and never had problems afterwards.

 

[ben g]

I just replaced my cracked clear unit yesterday. I've been through 3 or 4 now.

This time I bought the brake light and fitting kit (3 springs and 3 nuts) from BMW'S ebay store, who are BMW Park Lane.

It came to £69, but if you have nectar points, you can convert them to ebay vouchers, which is what I did. I got £30 off this way.

If it cracks again, I'll just take it back to a dealer and they'll have to replace it, as per the warranty.

 

[sharpyboy]

I just replaced my cracked clear unit yesterday. I've been through 3 or 4 now.

This time I bought the brake light and fitting kit (3 springs and 3 nuts) from BMW'S ebay store, who are BMW Park Lane.

It came to £69, but if you have nectar points, you can convert them to ebay vouchers, which is what I did. I got £30 off this way.

If it cracks again, I'll just take it back to a dealer and they'll have to replace it, as per the warranty.

Good tip

 

[SonnyA85]

i bought a new one, as it was an indy who fitted it i don't think i'm covered by warranty.

so i fixed it with sugru. i sealed around all the edges, etc. it's not noticeable unless someone who owns one was to inspect the car. water still gets in but i don't care it;s only a small amount of condensation. my front right light has the same condensation issue.

i wouldn't bother replacing the brake light until it's no longer salvageable. very poorly made. if i do buy a new one i will reinforce it before installation

 

[owm]

One tip to prolong the lenses lifespan is to close the boot gently rather than slamming it down.

 

[inkey$]

Common issue. Also remember when refitting your new one not to overtighten the nuts.
Oh, and now's the time you can decide whether you want a red or clear rear light at the back

 

[sharpyboy]

Common issue. Also remember when refitting your new one not to overtighten the nuts.
Oh, and now's the time you can decide whether you want a red or clear rear light at the back

Thanks I think i'll get a clear lens this time, I think they look good and I have a birthday coming up.

 

[SonnyA85]

anyone know the part number of the new springs?

 

[mjennings23]

Replaced my red one with a clear yesterday, and the old one fell into 5 pieces when removing it.

So now the boot looks cleaner with the clear light, especially handy as it was cheaper than a new red unit!

 

[SonnyA85]

Replaced my red one with a clear yesterday, and the old one fell into 5 pieces when removing it.

So now the boot looks cleaner with the clear light, especially handy as it was cheaper than a new red unit!

what tools did you require. i've ordered the new light and springs.

8mm socket required or will an adjustable spanner fit?

 

[mjennings23]

Deep socket, standard ones wouldn't get over the mounting threads that come through the nut. You may get away with a spanner but it would be a lot more fiddly, the deep socket makes it easy as anything. I just used a deep socket and an extension bar, didn't bother with a ratchet as it doesn't need to be tightened up that much.

 

[Dav the wheel nut]

Remove the plastic covers with a Philips screwdriver for easy access to the nuts.
You can then use a deep socket or a spanner to loosen the 3 nuts and then unscrew by hand. (for some reason I thought from memory it was a 10mm socket but I am getting forgetful)
The electrical connector pulls apart and then the reverse of this procedure to refit.
Don't over tighten the nuts or you will have another cracked lens.
10 minute job tops.

 

[riverside23]

Here's mine after coming back from bmw for some spray work under warranty .
Don't know who they sent the car to but cracked the light and the rear wing seals where the spray work has been carried out have been put back incorrectly.
Chuffed that they painted the car not chuffed with the damage and the putting back of parts .
Believe subcontracted .

 

[Scooba_Steve]

Here's mine after coming back from bmw for some spray work under warranty .
Don't know who they sent the car to but cracked the light and the rear wing seals where the spray work has been carried out have been put back incorrectly.
Chuffed that they painted the car not chuffed with the damage and the putting back of parts .
Believe subcontracted .

Not really the same issue, probably worth a new thread.

 

[Roberltd2]

Just replaced my high-level (boot) brake light tonight. Bought it on ebay for £23.87 all in from Auto-Fashion in China. Expected it not to fit / work / poor connectors etc. but it went in without a hitch. Fits and works as it should. Tightened the springs up and then undid them until I could see the ends lifting off the seals and then did them up half a turn back up. See how long it lasts. To be fair though, I couldn't tell any visible difference between the new and the old in terms of build quality and for the price I think it's worth a try. They arrived in eight days.