The first proper sunny day since I got my L405 (I am in Scotland ) and I discover this has happened to both rear light lens covers. It's not impact damage, they were perfectly fine when I parked the night before

Has anyone successfully replaced the lens covers or is it new complete unit time?

Click image to enlarge

Click image to enlarge

I'd have a look on the powerfuluk site and see if they do a lense replacement ... - .- -.




Y. O. L. O.
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Thanks Stan.

Yes I've seen their ones and was wondering if anyone had used them. It's a pity the guys at Powerful haven't actually trialled it themselves. There seems to be some debate as to whether the covers are adhesive bonded or heat welded onto the the lamp bodies.

It's a real PITA, JLR using materials like this that age so poorly although I have had a similar sunshine induced cracking incident with the polycarb speedo cover on a Ducati.

Powerful do sell them, they also state they have never changed one and there is a reason for that...

It is virtually impossible to get the old lens off without damaging the light unit somewhere....

It is also virtually impossible to get a good seal of the new one and not get fogging problems...

Unless you like lots of faff and a finished job that is not as good as original I'd just pay for new ones...

Maybe update to the 2018 ones... lots of pattern ones about that are at least as good as original by the look of yours...!!!

 Pete

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2014 L405 Autobiography SDV8 4.4 Loire Blue Ebony interior
2011 L322 Vogue SE 4.4 TDV8 Baltic Blue. Parchment over Navy Interior. Sold
2012 L322 Autobiography 5.0 Supercharged Ipanema Sand, Jet Interior. Sold
2002 L322 Vogue 4.4 V8 Epson Green, Ivory over Aspen Interior (Fatty Offroader) Sold
-Click for Project Fatty off roader-

As Pete says, it’s impossible to remove the lens from the main unit without damaging it - I’ve tried.

The lens is plastic welded on - even if you do manage to remove it, attaching a new lens is nigh on impossible too, as the replacement lenses don’t quite fit the curvature and short of having equipment to plastic weld it back on, no glue will hold it - again, I’ve tried.

Not sure why they sell the replacement lenses as in my view, they’re unusable  Jonathan

2007 Defender 90 XS Hardtop

Thanks for the replies chaps. Confirms what I suspected.

I'm minded to replace them with 2018 style units. There are a few fleabay sellers (e.g. MZOrange) that supply them complete with an adapter cable for the earlier wiring and at a hefty saving over the Powerful ones.

Has anyone any experience of these aftermarket units?

What caused this in the first place? overfinch modified

Pretty sure it's sun damage, cheap plastic... Pete

__________________________________________________
2014 L405 Autobiography SDV8 4.4 Loire Blue Ebony interior
2011 L322 Vogue SE 4.4 TDV8 Baltic Blue. Parchment over Navy Interior. Sold
2012 L322 Autobiography 5.0 Supercharged Ipanema Sand, Jet Interior. Sold
2002 L322 Vogue 4.4 V8 Epson Green, Ivory over Aspen Interior (Fatty Offroader) Sold
-Click for Project Fatty off roader-

Caymanblack - as per my first post it was caused by the sunny day yesterday. I think the polycarb covers have aged (car now 10 years old) and I suspect the direct heat of the sun caused the stress cracking. I've only had the car just over two months so I'm not impressed to say the least - plus I had brake failure on Friday - I'll post separately about that!

p.s as far as I'm aware they are the original rear lights.

Wow Kev, you really are having some bad luck with your L405 over the past few days.

I've heard varying reports of the aftermarket rear lights - some say they are not as bright as the OEM ones. No experience with them myself, but something to consider. Kev

2014 L405 RR Vogue SE 4.4 SDV8 in Corris Grey
2010 L320 RRS HSE 3.0 TDV6 in Stornoway Grey

I have several sets of used rear lights and several sets of new lights in stock if you want some sir... Drop me a PM

Thanks Craig, have done so