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plastic socket 1
OEM plastic socket has loose tolerances. Vibration combined with contact's springs cause bulb posts to gouge plastic, push outward, and lose contact.
Date: 06/21/2008
Views: 166
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plastic socket 2
Vibration causes plastic socket plate mounting locations to crack and break. Photo is after 6000 street miles.
Date: 06/21/2008
Views: 159
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steel socket
Bought replacement steel sockets from local Advance Auto parts store. Socket shown is for brake bulbs (1157).
Date: 06/21/2008
Views: 195
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new - front 1
Fabricated new round backing plate from 16ga steel. Two steel T-Nuts were used to accept new stainless machine screws for securing the plastic lens, and two hex nuts were welded under them to act as spacers.
Date: 06/21/2008
Views: 178
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new - rear
Steel socket was welded to backing plate and the whole assembly was then sandblasted.
Date: 06/21/2008
Views: 199
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old and new - front
Assembly was powdercoated reflective silver, rubber trim ring was re-applied, and everything was re-installed.
Date: 06/21/2008
Views: 196
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old and new - rear
A rivet was used to add ground lead to back of new assembly (socket didn't come with one). Dielectric grease was used on any surface not powdercoated to protect it from the elements.
Date: 06/21/2008
Views: 186
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new front 2
It may not be that pretty, but it is a huge improvement and it will solve all of the bulb contact problems. With the plastic lenses installed, there is no visible difference between new and OEM.
Date: 06/21/2008
Views: 194
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