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The inside of the lens has become pretty yellow over the years. This condensation I assume was caused due to a failed seal. It looks really nasty compared to the right side, which looks almost like a pristine headlight. I took it to the shop and they reckon that I should just buy a new unit, I sort of laughed (thinking of spending $3,000+ AUD for a new OEM unit). I told them I would rather get a used, but decent condition unit from Japan. Is it really due for a replacement? or can the lens be swapped out... I have the part number 81171-50260.. and new Morimoto butyl seal shouldn't be hard to source. Opinion of the shop was that it will just go bad again if only the lens was replaced. Has anyone on here actually had the lens swapped out before? I would love to eventually have this sorted, as I do think it is the worst cosmetic blemish on the car at the moment. To be honest, I would be down to DIY it at home if I was to get a used headlight assembly. There are a few videos on YouTube and I feel like I could possibly tackle it myself. The oven baking and that of the lens replacement, I'd probably have to leave to a shop.
I would sus out a headlight restoration kit from one of the big parts houses down in AUS, those definitely look like some wet sanding and polishing could bring them back to life.
Are you sure it's the inside of the light? Does the lens feel rough on the outside?
Yes, unfortunately it is on the inside of the lens. Have had this confirmed by a guy that detailed the car when I first bought it, I told him to do polish that headlight too and he did make it look presentable, but stated that the inside condensation was going to get worse and it did. I believe the car might have had a light impact earlier on in its years. The previous driver was elderly and his daughter told me that he might have knocked the car a few times backing out of their narrow driveway. That's probably what cracked or tarnished the seal.
I would sus out a headlight restoration kit from one of the big parts houses down in AUS, those definitely look like some wet sanding and polishing could bring them back to life.
Have had it professionally polished before and have continued to polish it myself here and there, but in the end it always looks yellow and nasty, the seals have just given way causing the condensation on the inside. I mentioned to another comment, that I reckon that side might have had a very minor knock earlier on in the cars life, which is probably what cracked or broke the seal. Definitely sorting my options here. I know for a fact shipping costs from Japan will exceed the item itself, but I could probably find a nice looking/low mileage assembly unit for around $800 USD (price/shipping costs combined)
If condensation is getting inside I would say the best option is to get a set of better condition used lights. Maybe from the junk yard, if not you could try to DIY, get another set of used lights and set of new lens covers off AliExpress. It's not cheap though I believe the lens covers themselves are still few hundred bucks. And depends how comfortable you are with baking open the housing. The hard part is putting it back together and ensuring no leaks. If I was gonna do all that work I will probably do projector retrofit too. That's why it's easier to just work with a second set of lights. Unless you don't need to drive the ls for a few weeks to get this done.
If condensation is getting inside I would say the best option is to get a set of better condition used lights. Maybe from the junk yard, if not you could try to DIY, get another set of used lights and set of new lens covers off AliExpress. It's not cheap though I believe the lens covers themselves are still few hundred bucks. And depends how comfortable you are with baking open the housing. The hard part is putting it back together and ensuring no leaks. If I was gonna do all that work I will probably do projector retrofit too. That's why it's easier to just work with a second set of lights. Unless you don't need to drive the ls for a few weeks to get this done.
Yeah good points, I'm starting to lean heavily towards just getting a used assembly. I think it's too much work and labour costs (because I'm not very inclined in this stuff) would probably equal out the costs of just getting a used assembly. Around my area there's just no-one wrecking these cars, and I'd assume the few places that I know of would be asking a big sum of money. These ones from Japan, under the UCF30 Celsior title, look pretty nice and are generally low mileage, and also the sellers always point out every imperfection in their listing photos. It seems that those grey mounting brackets where the bolt goes in, tends to slightly crack or even break (referencing these listings), and I don't know if that's a concern or not.. I've seen in it on so many listings.
Yeah good points, I'm starting to lean heavily towards just getting a used assembly. I think it's too much work and labour costs (because I'm not very inclined in this stuff) would probably equal out the costs of just getting a used assembly. Around my area there's just no-one wrecking these cars, and I'd assume the few places that I know of would be asking a big sum of money. These ones from Japan, under the UCF30 Celsior title, look pretty nice and are generally low mileage, and also the sellers always point out every imperfection in their listing photos. It seems that those grey mounting brackets where the bolt goes in, tends to slightly crack or even break (referencing these listings), and I don't know if that's a concern or not.. I've seen in it on so many listings.
Yea, I would just eBay a set of lights then. I think the Ls has auto level in the headlights and factory hid so it's a bit more fiddly than cheaper cars with basic headlights.
Hi, I live in Australia too so I feel your pain with availability and prices of parts here. Years ago on my 2004 LS430 I had the same issue. I managed to source a set of new front lenses only from Japan. Unfortunately the shop I bought them from no longer exists. There wasnt a part number. I did have to use a japanese buying service because they wouldnt deal with anyone from outside japan, but it was easy and the items were shipped to me.
Removing the headlight requires loosening of the front bumper on the sides to enable access to all the mounting bolts. Many used headlight housing tabs are broken at the bottom because people just undo the visible top bolt and think thats it. They cant see the bottom bolt and they try to force it out breaking the tab.
After removing the headlight I thought I'd have to bake it in the oven on low heat to soften the glue but I was amazed that simply heating the factory seal with a hair dryer slowly did the trick and it pulled apart easily. I couldnt reuse the factory glue, it was too broken up.
I bought some thick black butyl tape/roll from a glazier supply company and it fitted in nicely and created a great seal. The lights look great again without having to replace everything. Never had any leaks. Have a look at some Japanese sites and see if you can find some lenses only.
Last edited by LEX ES300; Nov 30, 2022 at 08:59 PM.
Hi, I live in Australia too so I feel your pain with availability and prices of parts here. Years ago on my 2004 LS430 I had the same issue. I managed to source a set of new front lenses only from Japan. Unfortunately the shop I bought them from no longer exists. There wasnt a part number. I did have to use a japanese buying service because they wouldnt deal with anyone from outside japan, but it was easy and the items were shipped to me.
Removing the headlight requires loosening of the front bumper on the sides to enable access to all the mounting bolts. Many used headlight housing tabs are broken at the bottom because people just undo the visible top bolt and think thats it. They cant see the bottom bolt and they try to force it out breaking the tab.
After removing the headlight I thought I'd have to bake it in the oven on low heat to soften the glue but I was amazed that simply heating the factory seal with a hair dryer slowly did the trick and it pulled apart easily. I couldnt reuse the factory glue, it was too broken up.
I bought some thick black butyl tape/roll from a glazier supply company and it fitted in nicely and created a great seal. The lights look great again without having to replace everything. Never had any leaks. Have a look at some Japanese sites and see if you can find some lenses only.
I think that part number is 81171-50260. I had it in my Megazip cart for a while, just never ended up purchasing it. I have a feeling the ballast in this current headlight does not have much life in it, due to all of the moisture that has been inside over the years, which makes me want to find a decent condition used headlight. If the search goes no where, then I will most definitely go that route of new lens and new sealant etc.
Replace headlight lens or unit itself?
