Well, I finally got around to replacing my burnt out ZKW bowls today.
I used the replacement bowls from clemsone46
The install took 4 hours for both lights. Not sure if this is long or short, but I did have some difficulty at several points along the way.
1. Getting the headlight washer trim off was a challenge because I didn't want to break off any tabs. I watched the YouTube videos and they made it look much easier than it was. Some tabs took a surprising amount of effort to move them. I was sure I was going to break something off. I had different challenges on both sides.
2. Getting the old bowls out and back in was a total PITA. I enjoy puzzles, but this really frustrated me in both directions.
3. Getting the power plug out of the motor drive was also time consuming the first time because it took so much effort to get the plug out and there was very little room to maneuver. I tried several different needlenose pliers but ended up just jamming my thumb and index finger inside the opening and finally got the plug out. It is set in very deep into the socket. Going back in is easy.
Other than getting the new bowls in, the reverse wasn't too bad. I took my time to make sure I didn't force something and break something which would have really irritated me.
I decided not to put in new bulbs. I was looking at night breakers but decided against it for now.
The result is pretty good. If there is one nit, it is that the light output isn't even. It is very bright, probably close to what it was when my car was new. But the way that the new reflector material was put in the bowls, there are "hot spots" in the light where it hits the the ground.
Here are some before and after pics:
Lights on the garage door with burnt bowls:
Lights on the garage door with new bowls:
Here is the light on my garage cabinets with only the driver side reflector done:
Lights on the cabinets with both lights done. Note the hot spots on the passenger headlight on the cabinet:
The bowls were trashed:
Here is a pic of the refurbished bowls:
The brightness of the light on the road is very good. For $270ish and 4 hours of my time, it was worth it. Certainly better than spending $1000 or more for new headlights.
Regards,
David
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