Is it possible to replace only the clear lens on rear of 240 DL ?

Discussion in 'Volvo 240' started by Jeff, Jan 16, 2006.

  1. Jeff

    Jeff Guest

    I have no idea how the upper middle clear lens cover to my 86 Volvo
    240 DL 4 door Sedan tail light ceased to be part of my tail light
    assembly. I can't quite see that anybody hit it in a parking lot, or
    there would be other signs of impact. And I did not see pieces of
    plastic around. My thought is that it might have just come off with
    impact after perhaps the glue dried out too much here in Southern Cal.

    In any event, with the above aside, are the clear lenses (bulb cover
    on the taillight assembly), alone purchasable ? ( I could simply glue
    it on)
    Or are they not sold separately, forcing one to buy the entire tail
    light unit ?
    Thanks, in advance
     
    Jeff, Jan 16, 2006
    #1
  2. Jeff

    M-gineering Guest

    wellknown problem even in moderate climates

    AFAIK these are nor available separately as customers 'cannot glue these
    lenses reliably' !
     
    M-gineering, Jan 16, 2006
    #2
  3. Jeff

    Crazy Dog Guest

    I'd bet that, given the chance, customers can glue them as reliably or
    more reliably than the manufacturers.
     
    Crazy Dog, Jan 16, 2006
    #3

  4. Here is one for $8.50. I did this on my 85 wagon 5 years ago. Used
    "superglue" still in place.

    http://www.fcpgroton.com/volvo240lamps.htm

    Howard
     
    Howard Nelson, Jan 16, 2006
    #4
  5. Jeff

    Mike F Guest

    There was a problem bonding the clear lens on all the Volvo taillights
    through the '80s. The clear (and only clear) lens is available from the
    dealer for a modest price (believe it or not) for the 6 segment sedan
    and 4 segment wagon taillights on both 2 and 7 series.

    --
    Mike F.
    Thornhill (near Toronto), Ont.

    Replace tt with t (twice!) and remove parentheses to email me directly.
    (But I check the newsgroup more often than this email address.)
     
    Mike F, Jan 16, 2006
    #5
  6. Jeff

    M-gineering Guest

    they finally must have come to their senses then, I remember having
    trouble (with a three series perhaps) and didn't see a listing in my
    parts manual for a 240 (not the newest I admit)
     
    M-gineering, Jan 16, 2006
    #6
  7. Jeff

    James Sweet Guest


    This is fairly common, the glue doesn't bond to the clear lens as well
    as the others for some reason.

    Replacement clear lenses are readily available, the colored ones are
    only sold as part of the whole unit.
     
    James Sweet, Jan 16, 2006
    #7
  8. Jeff

    Jeff Guest

    I did read the posts and they are very helpful. I wish to thank you
    all. 'Simpler to shell out the $8.50 plus shipping than to reinstall
    the entire assembly, unnecessarily.
    Thanks again folks.
    J
     
    Jeff, Jan 16, 2006
    #8
  9. Jeff

    brackenburn Guest

    Hi Howard.

    That's CD$14.24 (plus tax) in Canada, from the dealer (August
    '04)................ but they gave me a part-used tube of glue to go with
    it!
    Anyway, it sure beats replacing the whole assembly.

    Andy I. ('93 240 Classic Wagon)


    |
    |
    | Here is one for $8.50. I did this on my 85 wagon 5 years ago. Used
    | "superglue" still in place.
    |
    | http://www.fcpgroton.com/volvo240lamps.htm
    |
    | Howard
    |
    |
     
    brackenburn, Jan 16, 2006
    #9
  10. Jeff

    Randy G. Guest

    The reasonable explinatin is that the other colors filter out certain
    parts(s) of the spectrum (UV?) that the clear allows through and it
    damages the sealant. The clear lenses are available separately, and a
    judiciously applied bead of clear silicone usually does the trick.



    __ __
    Randy & \ \/ /alerie's
    \__/olvos
    '90 245 Estate - '93 965 Estate
    "Shelby" & "Kate"
     
    Randy G., Jan 17, 2006
    #10
  11. Jeff

    byrocat Guest

    You also might want to lightly scuff the portion of the light where the
    glue goes with a low-grade sandpaper -- extra glue surface.

    Of course, if you're using CA (superglue), I would go down to the locl
    hobby shop and pick up a container of "thick" or "slow-set"
     
    byrocat, Jan 17, 2006
    #11
  12. Jeff

    Jeff Guest


    Hi, my plan, after the lens arrives, is to wash, scuff and use one of
    the new generation of glues, - Elmer's Ultimate Glue - polyurethane.
    It seems to be a/the popular glue at Home Depot. And is touted to work
    on such a surface as the lens.
     
    Jeff, Jan 18, 2006
    #12
  13. Jeff

    Crazy Dog Guest

    Great timing guys. I just checked both the reversing light lenses on my
    940 estate and they're both loose. I guess with some careful cleaning
    some clear silicone should make a good enough job of regluing them.
     
    Crazy Dog, Jan 21, 2006
    #13
  14. Jeff

    Johan Plane Guest

    Sorry to say - no. The tail light is a complete assembly regardless of age
    of car (tail light assembly changed as from -82). There is one thing that's
    good if it's pre -82 though. The plastic lense is separate from housing as
    opposed to the new make from -82, where the whole housing and lens is
    integrated and glued together into one unit.

    Johan Plane
    Uppsala, Sweden
     
    Johan Plane, Jan 22, 2006
    #14
  15. Jeff

    Crazy Dog Guest

    Huh? So are you saying that the glue (or, more likely, solvent weld)
    holding the reversing light lens can not, and will never, fail? Or are
    you saying that silicone won't work? Have you ever tried getting cured
    silicone off glass, or bathroom fittings?
    The point of the OP is that the glue (or solvent weld, more likely)
    fails on the reversing light lens for the '86 240 DL 4 door Sedan.

    I can confirm that the same has happened with my '94 940 SE Estate. In
    my case one side is completely detached and is now sitting in front of
    me on my desk. The other side is still partially attached but I will
    remove it before it gets lost.

    Thanks to this thread I spotted the problem before I lost one or both
    lenses.
     
    Crazy Dog, Jan 22, 2006
    #15
  16. The clear lense is available for 240/740/940 series autos. Other colors you
    need to replace the whole unit.

    Howard
     
    Howard Nelson, Jan 22, 2006
    #16
Ask a Question

Want to reply to this thread or ask your own question?

You'll need to choose a username for the site, which only take a couple of moments (here). After that, you can post your question and our members will help you out.