LED tail light build

E28 technical advice asked and given! Troubleshooting, modifications and more.
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Joesshitbox
Posts: 6
Joined: Oct 31, 2020 3:28 PM
Location: Oregon

LED tail light build

Post by Joesshitbox »

Hey all, I'm new to this forum. I recently bought a 1988 528e. My tail lights are not in the best condition (cracked lens). I was going to rebuild them with some custom led strips, but I could not get inside the light assembly.

Basically, has anyone successfully unglued the lens and glued them back on without destroying them?

Thank you all,

Joe
e28Sean
Posts: 954
Joined: Nov 23, 2007 2:07 PM
Location: Greenville, SC
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Re: LED tail light build

Post by e28Sean »

As far as I know, it's not possible to remove the lenses intact.
Joesshitbox
Posts: 6
Joined: Oct 31, 2020 3:28 PM
Location: Oregon

Re: LED tail light build

Post by Joesshitbox »

Have you tried it?

Thank you
e28Sean
Posts: 954
Joined: Nov 23, 2007 2:07 PM
Location: Greenville, SC
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Re: LED tail light build

Post by e28Sean »

I personally have not. However, anyone who has installed clear turn signal lenses will tell you that the only way to get the OE lenses out is with a hammer. That's why I got myself a set of already modified taillights when I did the clear turn lens mod on my e28.

It is not possible to remove the taillamp lenses from their frames intact.
Joesshitbox
Posts: 6
Joined: Oct 31, 2020 3:28 PM
Location: Oregon

Re: LED tail light build

Post by Joesshitbox »

Damn, thats a bummer. Thanks though!
Ordnator
Posts: 550
Joined: Aug 31, 2015 7:34 PM
Location: Halifax NS

Re: LED tail light build

Post by Ordnator »

Here's what I did a few years back:

https://forum.bmw5.co.uk/topic/109187-e ... or-lenses/

Best regards,

Mick
demetk
Posts: 8431
Joined: Aug 09, 2007 8:58 AM
Location: CT, USA

Re: LED tail light build

Post by demetk »

Why not go from the back? It's looks doable once you get rid of the metal power grid, which you don't really need if you run separate wires to each light. I did led bulbs on mine and got rid of the metal grid.

Image
Joesshitbox
Posts: 6
Joined: Oct 31, 2020 3:28 PM
Location: Oregon

Re: LED tail light build

Post by Joesshitbox »

I'm not just trying to do LED bulbs, but LED strips. Also, the lens are cracked and leaking water bad. They literally get filled up.
demetk
Posts: 8431
Joined: Aug 09, 2007 8:58 AM
Location: CT, USA

Re: LED tail light build

Post by demetk »

Then do what Ordnator did.
Joesshitbox
Posts: 6
Joined: Oct 31, 2020 3:28 PM
Location: Oregon

Re: LED tail light build

Post by Joesshitbox »

That's just turn signals, not the whole lense.
Shawn D.
Beamter
Beamter
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Re: LED tail light build

Post by Shawn D. »

I used to manufacture complete LED brake/tail/turn setups for E28s, but haven't for a long while. You're going to have to modify the housing and insert them from the back -- removing the lenses is not a good way to go about it. Then you can also get wider arrays in and place them further from the lens so it'll look better.

If your lenses are cracked and leaking, you need a whole new assembly.
Joesshitbox
Posts: 6
Joined: Oct 31, 2020 3:28 PM
Location: Oregon

Re: LED tail light build

Post by Joesshitbox »

What about using the original lens as a mold to make new ones out of lexan/policarbonate?
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