Question about fitting new rear lights on focus!

maniac886

Hi All,

I have an MK1 Ford Focus and would like to replace the rear lights with DEPOs.

Basically back in Feb I had a leak coming in through the rear lights and so the mechanic used some silicone sealant to fix it and its been fine so far.

Now my question is if I was to replace the rear lights would I need to replace the sealant? Not sure if this is a common fault and where abouts the sealant would be?

Not going to do this until probably the weekend so gives me a chance to get tools etc.

Already got the T25 Torx!

Thanks in advance!

Hintza

Lights not headlights...lol

Anyway all lights have a rubber seal that probably perished or perhaps the car was in an accident and the body work is misaligned.

If the light cluster is OK and legal and not leaking you would be well advised to leave well alone. Why spend money you don't have to.?

maniac886

Hintza wrote: »

Lights not headlights...lol

Anyway all lights have a rubber seal that probably perished or perhaps the car was in an accident and the body work is misaligned.

If the light cluster is OK and legal and not leaking you would be well advised to leave well alone. Why spend money you don't have to.?

Well the new lights will be legal. DEPO are the same company who made the original lights for the Focus. I have just had the car colour coded, got clear side repeaters so just want the new rear lights to finish off the look.

maniac886

bump...cheers!

anewman

I would assume that if the sealant has been placed between the light and the bodywork, force will be needed to remove that particular light - and sealant will probably need re-applying the same place it was. If it's on the light itself only then I would just stick the new lights in, wait for a heavy downpour and hope for the best.

maniac886

anewman wrote: »

I would assume that if the sealant has been placed between the light and the bodywork, force will be needed to remove that particular light - and sealant will probably need re-applying the same place it was. If it's on the light itself only then I would just stick the new lights in, wait for a heavy downpour and hope for the best.

Haha I am hoping its on the lights cos I have just bought a new bootliner as the last one got soaked!:rotfl:

Just spoke to the mechanic and he luckily remembers the job. He put the sealant on the bodywork on the rear passenger light. He said that if the new lights come with a rubber seal ill be fine..but I can also put the sealant on if I want.

Can anyone reccomend some decent white silicone sealant?

anewman

You can buy stuff specially for cars from halfords, will be expensive probably £5 for a little tube, but it will get the job done. I don't think bathroom sealant would be any good.

anewman

http://www.halfords.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/product_storeId_10001_catalogId_10151_productId_201859_langId_-1_categoryId_70053 I imagine they'll also have clear

goldspanners

nice lights, i have the black smoked autoart rear lights on my focus,the focus is black so it looks great with them.
check the fitting for the stop tail bulb,on mine they were slightly different but they came with adaptors.
the sealant issue - normal bathroom sealant will be fine,if you wont be able to see it then it wont really matter,put it on an wipe it flat on to the surface/gap that is leaking,i use normal bathroom sealant for lots of jobs,you can get it in a clear colour.

maniac886

goldspanners wrote: »

nice lights, i have the black smoked autoart rear lights on my focus,the focus is black so it looks great with them.
check the fitting for the stop tail bulb,on mine they were slightly different but they came with adaptors.
the sealant issue - normal bathroom sealant will be fine,if you wont be able to see it then it wont really matter,put it on an wipe it flat on to the surface/gap that is leaking,i use normal bathroom sealant for lots of jobs,you can get it in a clear colour.

Cheers. Hopefully there shouldn't be a major problem with the fitting as DEPO are the company who made the originals. A friend of mine has the same lights on his black focus and they look smooth :cool: . Mine is in moondust silver but I reckon it will still look good.

About the sealant. I am guessing the sealant goes all the way round the lights, along the edge of the bodywork?

It doesn't matter about the colour as the lights are dark grey so black or clear will be fine.

goldspanners

maniac886 wrote: »

Cheers. Hopefully there shouldn't be a major problem with the fitting as DEPO are the company who made the originals. A friend of mine has the same lights on his black focus and they look smooth :cool: . Mine is in moondust silver but I reckon it will still look good.

About the sealant. I am guessing the sealant goes all the way round the lights, along the edge of the bodywork?

It doesn't matter about the colour as the lights are dark grey so black or clear will be fine.

im not sure,can you not see where the old sealant is?