[Fritzer]

So I posted a thread regarding removing the third brake light because I had a bug somehow stuck in there. Last night when I was replacing some trim rivets on a door insert I figured what the heck let's just open it up and get that done. It came off pretty easily and I cleaned it out, but I cannot figure out how to mount it back in, the headliner cover clips in fine but I can't figure out how to clip the light bar itself back on.

From sticking my head in there and looking up it looks like the brake had some sort of adhesive that I may have broke when initially removing it. I can't find anything comprehensive on here or anywhere inline that could help me. Does anyone have any ideas?







Thanks for the help guys.

[nsjames]

so I looked it up on newtis

https://www.newtis.info/tisv2/a/en/e...lights/FfVUuwn

and it appears there's a bracket it should have unclipped from on the glass. I'm bettnig you pulled the whole thing down and now you need to reattach that bracket to the glass.

but I'm not 100% sue on that, because I'm a wagon.

[Fritzer]

Originally Posted by nsjames

so I looked it up on newtis

https://www.newtis.info/tisv2/a/en/e...lights/FfVUuwn

and it appears there's a bracket it should have unclipped from on the glass. I'm bettnig you pulled the whole thing down and now you need to reattach that bracket to the glass.

but I'm not 100% sue on that, because I'm a wagon.

Thank you for this. Yeah it looks like the brackets (grey bits on either end of brake light) sheared in half. Didn't give it much force at all though... I wonder if I should just super glue it back together because it seems there is still some of it on the windshield. I wonder where I could find such an obscure part for replacement.

[IllSic_Design]

I'd probably just use some silicone on the broken mounts to put it back together. Would probably not come off unless pulled off and doubt you'd ever notice.

[nsjames]

I would not use super glue, or anything with cyanocrylates in it. It will turn any skin oils in the vicinity white with the fumes. You can wipe it of with acetone, but I don't know how that will affect the plastic or the black applique on the glass.

they make a clear gorilla glue now, that will not cause any kind of discoloration or weirdness on your glass or the plastic. The only downside is that you'll have to clamp it while it dries.

a 5 minute epoxy may work, but may fail when it gets hot. It will also yellow in the UV unless you buy a real high quality resin based formula.

signed,
lifelong glue sniffing rc modeler.

[Fritzer]

So after looking into it all day found a picture of the part that actually broke off. (There's barely anytjing onlune about this) It was the plasitc brakets that hold the light assembly itself. Seems like either the adhesive weared out or the just sheared right off.

Anyone have any idea for part number? Been calling dealerships all over town and can't seem to figure it out. Might just JB weld the brackets back together but would really like to just buy new ones.

[AM330i]

I have the same issue. I noticed one day the the light was hanging down a little so I took the cover off and noticed it came loose from the window. I tried using super glue to glue the mounting tabs back on, it worked for a little bit but they have come loose again.

[nsjames]

so it appears that those grey pieces are still installed on your light. They should slide to one side and release.

slide them out, they don't look broken. It looks like you pulled the adhesive off the glass.
If they're instact, use a razor blade to remove the old adhesive tape, replace with VHB, cut to fit with razor.
Install mount tabs back into light.
clean the rear glass with alcohol
pull the VHB protective film off and reinstall your lamp.
They'll be permanently stuck back to the glass, and next time you remove it just make sure you slide it to the side to release them.

[Fritzer]

Originally Posted by nsjames

so it appears that those grey pieces are still installed on your light. They should slide to one side and release.

slide them out, they don't look broken. It looks like you pulled the adhesive off the glass.
If they're instact, use a razor blade to remove the old adhesive tape, replace with VHB, cut to fit with razor.
Install mount tabs back into light.
clean the rear glass with alcohol
pull the VHB protective film off and reinstall your lamp.
They'll be permanently stuck back to the glass, and next time you remove it just make sure you slide it to the side to release them.

3M VHB tape? I was just going to use some clear gorrila glue as previous poster stated. I have the gorilla glue on hand actually, I could order the VHB from Amazon and it would be here in two days though. Do you think it is worth the wait?

[nsjames]

yes.

gorilla glue expands as it dries, it's polyurethane based. it will make a mess.
previous poster was me, and I thought you needed to glue the plastic pieces back together, not attach the plastic back to the glass.
You can pick up VHB tape at any chain parts store.
maybe even walmart. It's going to be the cleanest way.

[Fritzer]

Originally Posted by nsjames

yes.

gorilla glue expands as it dries, it's polyurethane based. it will make a mess.

You can pick up VHB tape at any chain parts store.
maybe even walmart. It's going to be the cleanest way.

Alright, thank you mate big help.

[nsjames]

no problem

contrary to popular belief I'm not an asshole.

I just play one on the internet.

[Fritzer]

Originally Posted by nsjames

no problem

contrary to popular belief I'm not an asshole.

I just play one on the internet.

Haha. Hey I'm out to AutoZone right now getting some tape.i tried getting off the old tape with a razor but it's really stuck on there. Think googone will work,or maybe something else? Thanks again man you're life saver!!

[Fritzer]

Update:

So last night I went to Autozone and picked up some 3M Molding Adhesive Tape. When I got home I used some goo-gone on a microfiber and broke a sweat trying to get the old, crusty adhesive tape off. I used some plastic prying tools which began to get damaged from it, so I used a razor blade. Tried for quite a while and got the majority of it off.

Then I applied a section of the new tape to the grey, plastic brackets mentioned above, and used a razor to cut them to the size of the bracket so they sat flush. On the inside of the rear window where the old tape was, there are small markings for alignment where applying the brackets back on, so that wasn't too bad at all. From there I slid the third brake light back on, mounting clips on either side went in fine, and put the headliner cover over it.

The only thing I noticed was that even though the tape was the exact fit and placement of OEM, the brackets can barely be seen from outside the rear window. Just the ends of them. Going to have to look at other E90s and see if that is the case on OEM as well. If not, shouldn't be too bad removing and replacing as the tape is fresh.

Pictures:

[nsjames]

the molding tape is pretty thick. There are thinner VHB variant

glad you got it back on.

[Fritzer]

Originally Posted by nsjames

the molding tape is pretty thick. There are thinner VHB variant

glad you got it back on.

Yeah I was calling dealerships asking if they had any for sale but couldn't locate it. So I just went to Autozone and bought what they had there. Will probably get around to using the proper tape once I find and buy some.

[nsjames]

https://www.amazon.com/3M-Heavy-Moun.../dp/B00HD29S42

.040 thick.