Replacing the 3rd Brake Light

A

alconno

Member
 Leeds- West Yorkshire
Dear All

Has anyone replaced their 3rd brake light themselves? I have searched the forum and found no topics. If you have done it yourself was it easy ? also Could you detail the procedure please?

very much appreicated and thanks in advance. (trying to save money by not taking it to a garage)

Alex
 
Takes 2 minutes to replace, just use a deep socket (8 or 10 mm from memory) and unscrew the two nuts from the inside of the boot. Mind you don't loose the spring that is behind the nut.

Refitting is the reverse.

I replaced one for a forum member and it was done before his wife had reached my front door ...
 
isnt there 3 bolts :?

and yes dont lose those springs! Though I probably have my old ones if you do lose any...
 
If you have the standard springs behind it the you need to watch how tight you tighten the nuts or the light will break.

when i did mine i tightened the nuts as much as i could by hand then gave an extra 1 full turn with the socket, job done.

it hasnt come loose and the mothod provides less chance of the force of the spring from cracking the light.

there are weaker springs available from the dealer but theres no point :thumbsup:

hope this helps

richard
 
As Rudd, says - be careful on over-tightening as it'll cause the corner to crack off

There was a BMW bulletin on this as many were over tightened on manufacture so they were replacing FOC at one point.
 
I did not think you could over tighten them, hence the reason for the spring. Mine are done up all the way, and there is still movement. Maybe a later change :?
 
Dont ask me why but i have just looked and found the bulletin.

As Rudd, eluded to, there are different springs now available.

the originals were 82N springs. the replacements are 40N. the bulletin came out in May 2006 so they might have changed those used in production some time around then.

Ohh dear god, never thought i'd get geeky on springs........ :cry:
 
Strange as mine had a new centre rear light in 2008 as it was snapped :lol: Explains why then hopefuly
 
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