Replacement of the Rear lights

[Peter]

One of the plastics covers has cracked and the other is full of bits

http://www.lotusexcel.net/phpbb/viewtop ... f=8&t=2784

do i need to take the whole rear assembly off just to replace the SD1 lights, i'm not going to really touch the actual clusters and bulbs, just the covers that go over them, at present there also starting to work loose aswell, so it's a job that does now need doing

[amarshall]

Not sure what you mean by the "the covers" - the light units are complete assemblies so if you are replacing anything associated with the lens or reflectors then the rear of the car has to come off to gain access.

If you mean the plastic covers inside - they're just held on by some self-tappers so can be done from inside the boot without removing anything.

[Peter]

It's the reflectors i'm referring to, one is cracked, does that mean i have to replace the whole lot? bulbs, reflectors and the cluster holding all the bulbs? this is not sounding so good

[AndyC]

Yep.
Bumper off, unbolt the rear light cluster form the bumper and replace.

[amarshall]

Yep.
Bumper off, unbolt the rear light cluster form the bumper and replace.

What he said - the complete cluster is a single unit from a Rover SD1 and turned upside down (so don't forget to drill new drainage holes before you fit it). Procedure is in the tech. articles thread that you linked to. Not a massive job as long as you have a pop riveter handy and pay attention to the warning about the spare wheel.

[AndyC]

And for the fixings that secure the bottom edge of the bumper to the car body I've now used roofing screws. They have an 8mm hex head, coarse thread and self piloting, that's if the old ones cannot be re-used.

[Peter]

Will any set of SD1 lights do, or is it the case that i need a certain year?

[AndyC]

All the same for the Sd1.

If they look faded then a bit of Tcut or other paint cutting compound and effort will bring them back rather well.

[Peter]

Ok i found some replacements here, price is 70 inc the VAT is that the expected cost?, this is the first time (and hopefully not the last!) time i'm going to do work on the car myself, so want it to go smoothly as poss, are there any other parts i might need, when doing this job?

[amarshall]

Ok i found some replacements here, price is 70 inc the VAT is that the expected cost?, this is the first time (and hopefully not the last!) time i'm going to do work on the car myself, so want it to go smoothly as poss, are there any other parts i might need, when doing this job?

At a guess, those are brand new from Rimmer Brothers ? second hand sets crop up on ebay fairly often and can be considerably cheaper.

The only other thing you should really consider doing while the back end is off, is replacing the breather pipe from the fuel tank that runs round the boot and through the grommet at the bottom of the bumper.

[Peter]

Yeah those are the ones, i forgot to link the link lol, good Guess!

Is there any way to check the condition of the breather pipe, before i start taking everything off, i dont want to order one only to find the original is in perfect nick

[amarshall]

Yeah those are the ones, i forgot to link the link lol, good Guess!

Is there any way to check the condition of the breather pipe, before i start taking everything off, i dont want to order one only to find the original is in perfect nick

It'll be brittle and due for replacement unless it has been done in the last few years.