Member Since: 20 Sep 2008
Location: Manchester
Posts: 1416
PICTORIAL - DIY fitting OEM front lamp guards
I have always found pictorials helpful, so for those like me who think the LR instructions could use some improvement, see below. Two comments so far: do not be misguided, these guard are cosmetic only, made from flimsy plastic and IMHO were probably designed for another car (the fit is perfect, but they follow none of the D3 body lines). In retrospect, I would not have purchased them...
Secondly be prepared to use a lever to raise the catches of the headlamp units (gently), and/or squirt some WD40 (dust and mud had found its way on mine and the levers were stuck tight). A final point is that you may find a rubber strip come off behind the lamps, anyone who has any idea where it goes please let me know (didn't notice it on the passenger side, and when it came off drivers side I had no clue where it fell off from - see part below).
So, here goes: what I found I needed for this other than the parts/tools supplied was a PH0 Philips screwdriver (you can use PT0, I just wanted a long reach), some WD40 and a piece of cloth to protect the paint when levering up the catches. I also got some extra self-adhesive clear rubber pads to protect the paintwork from the bracket (read below). Comments are below each picture:
Remove the front mask by unclipping at marked locations (see page 91 of the owners' manual)
Mask off, here are the levers you need to lift to remove the headlamps
(passenger side, lever lifted, lamp pulled forward)
(ditto second lever, same lamp)
The instructions suggest removing the entire unit by pressing on the marked clip to remove the harness, I found no need to do so, plenty of room to work with the wiring still attached)
This is what you find behind the headlamp, square holes pre-cut at factory, picture shows one of the grommets in place...
...second grommet in place...
...bracket fitted (note the washer goes on the outside of the bracket and that it actually comes into contact with your paintwork - this is where the additional clear pads come in...
...lamp back on...
...this is where contact may be made with the bodywork, so stick on a pad behind the bracket to protect it
The pads that came with the kit are meant for these locations, I stuck them on the lamp on the passenger side but followed the instructions and stuck them on the guard for the drivers' side
Use the cleaning cloths provided to clean these areas where the pads will rest (driver's side shown)
Job done! Make sure when refitting the mask (just clips back on) that it catches the u-shaped retaining clips of the guards properly (that's what the last picture on the instructions is trying to tell us!!!)
Last but not least, this is the rubber strip that came off - anyone with any idea where it fits (scratched my head for a while with no apparent results) pleeease let me know
In all, it took me 40 mins to do both, including time spent to release the lamp levers and head-scratching to find where that strip goes Easy job I'd say, keep the brute force down as most parts involved are plastic (i.e. breakable) and you'll be ok.
Though I know this is a part repeat of another post I hope the added detail is useful.
(p.s. tomorrow's publication: rear lamp guards )
2nd Mar 2009 7:54 am
zebadee
Member Since: 15 Feb 2006
Location: The Magic Roundabout
Posts: 1392
Well done
A good candidate for a Sticky perhaps
2nd Mar 2009 10:10 am
pom
Member Since: 10 Feb 2008
Location: Worcestershire
Posts: 1790
nice guide.
Seems the guards are not the same size as the lamps as there is a big gap at the top of them ?
Pom
2nd Mar 2009 11:10 am
discoBizz
Member Since: 20 Sep 2008
Location: Manchester
Posts: 1416
thanks zebadee!
thanks pom, yes, there is a gap at the top, but having seen other D3s with the guards fitted at factory, it's how it's supposed to be (also the gap is there in the instructions and in the accessories brochure).
Like I said, IMHO these may have been designed as a "one-size-fits-all-LRs" accessory or if they are D3 specific maybe from an earlier design???
Looking at the car dead straight, they seem to be ok (so my son will think they're just right once he stands on his feet ) but from the viewing angle of any adult the gap is very noticeable.
Having looked at the car some more, I stand by my original view that if they're not on when you buy it, not worth the money getting, IMHO of course....
2nd Mar 2009 11:26 am
wiggs
Member Since: 03 Sep 2006
Location: Manchester
Posts: 14372
Re: PICTORIAL - DIY fitting OEM front lamp guards
Biz wrote:
Last but not least, this is the rubber strip that came off - anyone with any idea where it fits (scratched my head for a while with no apparent results) pleeease let me know
Edge of the wing ..were the headlight meetsG4 Gone ...but not forgotten
2nd Mar 2009 1:17 pm
discoBizz
Member Since: 20 Sep 2008
Location: Manchester
Posts: 1416
Thanks wiggs
now to remove those headlamps again...
3rd Mar 2009 5:00 am
SN
Member Since: 03 Jan 2006
Location: Romiley
Posts: 13710
Re: PICTORIAL - DIY fitting OEM front lamp guards
Darn - I've left those grommets in the other car when I took my guards off
Good tip about preventing the brackets rubbing on the wing - mine did exactly thisSteve N | 21MY Defender | 08MY Discovery 3 (history) | 06MY Discovery 3 (ancient history)
3rd Mar 2009 8:35 am
daveyd
Member Since: 29 Oct 2010
Location: Waterford City
Posts: 201
Just wanted to say a big on the instructions - much more helpful than the official LR ones - had my put on in about 30mins
Don't suppose there's a similar step by step for the Rear Guards??
Cheers,
Dave
7th Nov 2010 2:48 pm
discoBizz
Member Since: 20 Sep 2008
Location: Manchester
Posts: 1416
Hi Dave!
Thanks for the , glad it helped
I have the pictures in my gallery, hope they help, never got around to writing the text I'm afraid...
Member Since: 29 Oct 2010
Location: Waterford City
Posts: 201
Cheers for the gallery link, i probably won't get a chance 'til next weekend but I might be asking the odd question
Just while it's on my mind, looking at the pics, is there a bit of drilling to do, for the gromits and stuff?
Thanks again
7th Nov 2010 6:50 pm
SN
Member Since: 03 Jan 2006
Location: Romiley
Posts: 13710
daveyd wrote:
Just wanted to say a big on the instructions - much more helpful than the official LR ones - had my put on in about 30mins
Don't suppose there's a similar step by step for the Rear Guards??
Cheers,
Dave
no but these are a bit trickier as you need to drill the bodywork Steve N | 21MY Defender | 08MY Discovery 3 (history) | 06MY Discovery 3 (ancient history)
7th Nov 2010 9:04 pm
JDB
Member Since: 25 Mar 2010
Location: NW Hampshire
Posts: 2486
This will be very usefull for me as well (shortly)!
Can you get these http://www.disco3.co.uk/gallery/displayima...fullsize=1
from somwhere?
And does anyone know the size of rivnuts needed - I have guards and brackets but no other bits!
7th Nov 2010 9:14 pm
SN
Member Since: 03 Jan 2006
Location: Romiley
Posts: 13710
I lost mine by leaving on first car - I just used a short fat bolt (head behind plate, tail facing forwards) with a nut on the front to tighten up like so...
Click image to enlarge
Steve N | 21MY Defender | 08MY Discovery 3 (history) | 06MY Discovery 3 (ancient history)
7th Nov 2010 10:14 pm
SN
Member Since: 03 Jan 2006
Location: Romiley
Posts: 13710
rivnuts never needed on front and can be done without on rear as guards are light - I just drilled smaller holes in bodywork (behind lamps) and used self tappers with suitable sealant to keep water outSteve N | 21MY Defender | 08MY Discovery 3 (history) | 06MY Discovery 3 (ancient history)
7th Nov 2010 10:15 pm
discoBizz
Member Since: 20 Sep 2008
Location: Manchester
Posts: 1416
Indeed, you need to drill two holes per side for the rear ones.
The instructions suggest a 7mm metal drill bit, but I went for a 6mm and gently enlarged the wholes to fit the supplied rivets VERY snugly. I used some marine sealant I had in the shed (the black stuff) to seal the rivet to the bodywork and everything has stayed on very nicely since (the rear lights have been removed once or twice )
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(didn't notice it on the passenger side, and when it came off drivers side I had no clue where it fell off from - see part below).
Easy job I'd say, keep the brute force down as most parts involved are plastic (i.e. breakable) and you'll be ok.
) but from the viewing angle of any adult the gap is very noticeable.
