A8 Parts Forum  

Go Back   A8 Parts Forum > A8 D3 > D3 - Lights

D3 - Lights Headlights, xenons, foglights. Everything outside the car that glows

Reply
 
Thread Tools Display Modes
  #1  
Old 11th April 2017, 10:21 AM
snapdragon snapdragon is offline
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Nov 2011
Posts: 1,669
Default Both rear lights cracked

I have noticed some moisture in my rear facelift lights, the ones on the boot lid.
It is only in the reversing light band. Today I looked at them more closely and found both lenses cracked horizontally across the reversing section.
How the hell did that happen? Seemed to have happened over winter.
I will have to remove them and see if I can seal them without it looking terrible.
Anyone seen this before.
Reply With Quote
  #2  
Old 11th April 2017, 11:54 AM
NOR_KNet NOR_KNet is offline
Member
 
Join Date: Mar 2015
Posts: 33
Default

Both mine is also cracked so need to replace them. Not sure the best "mod" to make them more water proof
Reply With Quote
  #3  
Old 11th April 2017, 11:56 AM
snapdragon snapdragon is offline
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Nov 2011
Posts: 1,669
Default

I'm going to try this - seems like it is like hard rubber, waterproof, stays clear and doesn't give off acetic acid or solvent fumes to damage the light...
http://www.screwfix.com/p/evo-stik-s...s-_-Sales%2520
Will work it into the crack and wipe off excess.
Reply With Quote
  #4  
Old 11th April 2017, 05:17 PM
Lee S Lee S is offline
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Jul 2013
Location: South Wales
Posts: 512
Default

Yep. Mine cracked and full of water too... they were replaced only 3.5 years ago. The quality is absolutely shocking.. I don't understand how they can be so prone to failure. I see 20 year old Vauxhall Corsas on the roads with rear light clusters in better condition. Disgraceful for a high end modern car. I think the only solution is replacement... every 4 years or so..
__________________
Lee
2017 Nissan Leaf Tekna
Reply With Quote
  #5  
Old 11th April 2017, 07:46 PM
Joe2.0E Joe2.0E is offline
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Feb 2012
Location: Ireland
Posts: 428
Default

My 2004 had the very same cracks on the inner lights once the car was 6-7 years old. I suspect it is an issue with UV causing deterioration but it is disgraceful for such an expensive car. I intended to change all 4 rear lights for facelift ones but couldn't justify the cost of them at the time. I tried a warranty claim with Audi but they rejected it on the age of the car. They didn't get any worse if it's any conciliation.
Reply With Quote
  #6  
Old 11th April 2017, 08:33 PM
ainarssems ainarssems is offline
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Aug 2010
Location: Rushden, Northants
Posts: 3,799
Default

I would recommend UV windscreen repair resin or UV optical glue (LOCA) that is used for example to glue together phone touchscreen and display. Some of them will cure just outside in daylight with the UV from sun, others need very specific wavelength UV light so you need UV light. I am using UV light for curing acrylic nails, on some resins it works very well, not so much on others, all resins I have used seem to cure outside in daylight some quickly in minutes some take hours without correct UV light.

You can apply glue, wipe off excess then take it out in daylight or under UV light to cure, then you can polish off excess if any with rubbing compound.
__________________
Currently 8less
2011 Q7 S Line 3.0TDI, 2016 Tesla Model S 90D

8 history:
2006 A8 Sport 4.2TDI quattro SOLD,
1997 S8, reached end of life with gearbox failure

Last edited by ainarssems; 11th April 2017 at 08:36 PM.
Reply With Quote
  #7  
Old 11th April 2017, 09:45 PM
mannyo mannyo is offline
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Jan 2012
Location: Blandford, Dorset
Posts: 1,974
Default

Add me to the cracked rear light brigade, seems to be a common thing.
__________________
Manny
2004 A4 1.8T Sport Cabriolet, 89K Miles
Past
2004 D3 A8 3.7 Quattro, Xenon, Bose, Blinds, Solar Sunroof, TV, ACC, phone and almost every option. 168K miles rising slowly
with retrofit AMI and DVB-T in place of Analogue
2003 Volvo S60 D5 SE Manual, 197K miles.
2001 D2 A8 3.7 QS, Bi-Xenon, Bose, Blinds, Electric Everything, retrofitted RNS-D, 191K Miles
Reply With Quote
  #8  
Old 11th April 2017, 11:49 PM
H-M3 H-M3 is offline
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Feb 2016
Location: london
Posts: 865
Default

i know its bit late for some of us but, I would recommend that we all should use good sealant/wax on lights when we do the car bodywork, as most decent sealant/wax have uv protection in them. jus my 2p
__________________
A8L 3.0 TDI sport executive 2014.
Audi A2 1.4 petrol 2002

SOLD. Audi A8L 4.2TDI Silver 2006

Seat Ibiza 1.4tdi Eco 2008 Silver (£0 Tax)sold

NO VCDS rely on Neeldub
Reply With Quote
Reply

Thread Tools
Display Modes

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off

Forum Jump


All times are GMT. The time now is 12:27 PM.


Powered by vBulletin® Version 3.8.0
Copyright ©2000 - 2024, Jelsoft Enterprises Ltd.