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      01-16-2015, 08:45 AM   #1
gaijin
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Third Brake light replacement

Need to replace the third brake light on my E85. I've read a number of threads regarding proper replacement protocols. Some suggest also replacing the fasteners and springs.

To those that have replaced theirs, how did you? Thanks.
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      01-16-2015, 10:17 AM   #2
Spaceman Spiff
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I replaced it twice on my 2003 MY, and switched to the new springs the second time. Apparently earlier models had the wrong spring tension that would put too much pressure on the light causing the lens to crack.

The part numbers for the updated springs and washers are: 63 25 6 900 698 (spring x3) and 0711 9931105 (washer x3).
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      01-16-2015, 10:20 AM   #3
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Thanks. This will be the second replacement too. I'm assuming that all's well with your new replacement then?
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      01-16-2015, 10:33 AM   #4
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Didn't have any issues in the three years that I had the car until I sold it.
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      01-19-2015, 11:12 PM   #5
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Mine cracked, replaced it with new springs and fasteners. It is now broken again now.
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      01-20-2015, 10:21 AM   #6
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Replaced mine this weekend. All new fasteners and springs. Finger tightened. I removed both access plates to get a better view of how the springs were compressing while I tightened the fasteners. Only time will tell.
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      01-20-2015, 02:35 PM   #7
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Mine was cracked all around the edges and then finally cracked across the center.
New one started cracking at the top edge within a week.
And this was with the weaker springs.
Went to Lowes and got nylock nuts (M4, IIRC) and put them on about 1/2 way.
That was several months ago. No new cracks. No leaks, yet.
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      01-20-2015, 08:07 PM   #8
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Quote:
Originally Posted by StickMon View Post
Mine was cracked all around the edges and then finally cracked across the center.
New one started cracking at the top edge within a week.
And this was with the weaker springs.
Went to Lowes and got nylock nuts (M4, IIRC) and put them on about 1/2 way.
That was several months ago. No new cracks. No leaks, yet.

When you say "half way," do you mean right at the point of the shaft where the nylock nut meet the spring?

Or do you allow some compression of the spring?
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      01-21-2015, 03:03 PM   #9
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About 1/2 way down the threaded portion of the shaft, so there's some compression, but not full.
I tightened the nuts evenly, a little at a time, until the assembly stopped wiggling.
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      01-22-2015, 08:39 AM   #10
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Quote:
Originally Posted by StickMon View Post
About 1/2 way down the threaded portion of the shaft, so there's some compression, but not full.
I tightened the nuts evenly, a little at a time, until the assembly stopped wiggling.
I'll pick up a set of these and replace the OE fasteners. Thanks for the input.
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      01-22-2015, 09:01 AM   #11
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This must be extremely variable. I still have my original light and it looks brand new. 8.5yrs and counting.
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      01-22-2015, 09:08 AM   #12
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Quote:
Originally Posted by chickdr View Post
This must be extremely variable. I still have my original light and it looks brand new. 8.5yrs and counting.
This was only an issue for earlier model years so later years are fine.
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      01-22-2015, 09:16 AM   #13
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Spaceman Spiff View Post
This was only an issue for earlier model years so later years are fine.
StickMon has an 06 M Roady like I do. As he said in his post above - he has had issues....
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      01-22-2015, 09:57 AM   #14
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Quote:
Originally Posted by chickdr View Post
StickMon has an 06 M Roady like I do. As he said in his post above - he has had issues....
I think his issue is not the common spring tension problem that affects early MYs. The bulletin on the common problem came out in 2006 IIRC, so they should have corrected it prior to that.
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      01-22-2015, 10:06 AM   #15
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Spaceman Spiff View Post
This was only an issue for earlier model years so later years are fine.
My car is a 2006 as is Chickdr's car, and mine did this in the last year of warranty, after which I had the light replaced. That is four years ago now and it has been fine since.
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      01-22-2015, 02:03 PM   #16
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I have a 2006 and it has a cracked third brake light.
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      01-22-2015, 08:36 PM   #17
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For the record, this is my third replacement in the car's life. I believe the most recent (second) replacement was not properly installed. Looks like the tech used the OE (as the one from South Carolina) when he replaced the third brake light over two years ago.
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      01-22-2015, 10:51 PM   #18
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Yea, I have no idea what my problem is.
Could be thermal cycling in the California sun.
Could be vibration from the drone of my RE exhaust.
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      01-23-2015, 01:20 PM   #19
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      01-24-2015, 09:00 AM   #20
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So it appears the issue is not uncommon on 06's anyway...
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