inokiyo

I have another newbie question for you guys. By the way, I am still waiting for the O2 sensor to arrive, so have not tackled that problem yet.
https://rennlist.com/forums/showthre...t=running+rich
Anyways, I was polishing up my 88 S4 Euro today, and noticed the tail lights were wobbly; lots of up and down play in the fender slot for the lights. I took out the rear tool box panel, found the one screw that secures the lights in the slot, tightened it up with no success, still wobbly. Is this the norm? Or is there supposed to be a gasket between the tail light and fender? Maybe the fender has gone out of shape? I would like to keep this nice *** in tip top shape!
Any help advice, criticism would be much appreciated!
Thanks in advance!!
Ken (inokiyo)

Nicole

Yep - mine have some play also. Not sure why that is, but it's normal. You can put some clear plastic bumpers on there to stabilize them - you know, the piceces used to keep cabinet doors from slamming.

inokiyo

Thanks for the info Nicole!
I think I will do just what you said. I wonder if it was like this factory, or as with a lot of things, it happened with time and age...
Thasnk again!!
Ken (inokiyo)

dr bob

On my black '89. the water accumulating in the tailight buckets at carwash time would run out later, leaving a little water stain. Mark Anderson mention that there was a TSB that included drilling a few drain holes in the plastic bumper shell to allow the water to drain out. I enhanced the TSB procedure by adding a foam waetherstrip gasket around the perimiter of the lens. Keeps the water out, stabilizes the housing in the bumper shell, etc. Two birds with one stone.

Sometimes a picture is worth .977k words. The gasket used is about 1/2" wide, 1/8" thick. It takes a couple feet to do each housing. Eliminating the standing water in the housing may also help folks who have lamps that suck up water and fog/condense inside.

inokiyo

Great info Bob!
I will do just like what you did!
Thanks guys!
Ken (inokiyo)

perrys4

That a great idea. The amount of water that accumulates there on my car is nuts. Take forever to get it all.

dr bob

Ron--

I have miles of that foam gasket if you need some. Worst case is that I'll throw a few rolls in the car for sharktoberfest if I don't see you sooner. I just don't think about carrying a roll with me when for when I meet up with other owners. Probably should...

John Struthers

Seems to me that the potted in studs either have loose nuts or have broken loose from the plastic
housing.
Ask Dozman,
He has a set of rear lights for sale and can tell you where, how, and what they are fastened to.

Nicole

Dr. Bob: Where are those holes to be drilled? Do you have any more specifics on the best locations?

I like your idea with the foam - have to take a closer look at this next time I see your car!

Mrmerlin

Hi, on the rear lights on an s4 there should be a rubber washer that is threaded onto the securing stud this does 2 things one is to set the depth of the light and secure the light in the bumper and second it also seals the rear bulkhead from water, this washer is screwed onto the light before it is inserted into the rear bumper. Also you might want to remove the rear lights from the housing and carefully inspect the insides of the housing pay careful attention to the brake light mine was melted on the top of the light and this caused a split in the housing that would let water into the housing I took some siliccone sealant and spread it over the crack in the housing and also cleaned the lights and put some dielectric grease on the contacts. Stan

inokiyo

Me too!!
didn't quite understadnthe TSB? soory new to both discussions and 928's.
Thanks!!
ken (inokiyo)

SharkSkin

Inokiyo, TSB=Technical Service Bulletin

perrys4

Thanks Dr. Bob. Home Depot is right around the corner from me so I have it covered. Thanks though.

Alan

Bob,
I like it excellent idea!

I will do this.

I hate washing and drying my car then having the dribbles of water stains all over the bumper cover after I 1st drive it! Plus with the gap this bucket picks up a bunch of gunk -so its not even clean water.
For concours-like shows I always have to remove the rear lights & wash out, reinstall, wash car, remove again & dry then reinstall again - a real pain.

I second Nicoles request though - can you show where you drilled the drain holes?

Alan

dr bob

Nicole-

The edge of the foam is barely visible with the lamp assy installed. You can move it forward slightly and trade no visibility for a pocket for water to sit in after washing. The black foam is virtually undetectable the way I show it installed.

On the hole locations:

I used a very scientific method to determine the best places for the holes. Simple criteria-- The hole locations need to be where you gan get a drill in to do the work, the holes need to be where the water is, and the holes need to be close to but forward of (towards front of car) where the gasket sits with the lamp assy installed. The 'where the water is' can be determined by 'where the water stains are' in the bucket. The other criteria are fixed. I think I used a 3/16" bit in the drill, by the way.