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Broken Headlight Lens - Too Often? 850 1985

posted by  Yuri on  Tue Jan 29 08:36 CST 2002
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I would like to hear from other members about their experience with the headlight glass. I had 6 cars in the past 11 years, all with glass headlights, and never had a broken one. In my 1.5 years with the Volvo I replaced two shattered headlight lenses. I never noticed when this happened (i.e. I did not hit anything), both times it looked like a rock (or a bolt that I found inside the headlight) hit the glass, probably on a highway. Is this a coincidence, or there is something about Volvo glass or design that makes it more vulnerable?

Replacement is easy and quick, but twice in 18 months, at $90 each - seems excessive.
--
'95 Volvo 850 GLT, 93K, all stock








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    Broken Headlight Lens - Get protection at xpel.com 850 1995

    posted by  jeffery47 on  Fri Feb 1 09:27 CST 2002
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    last visit: Tue Feb 13 15:02 CST 2001
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    Perhaps because Volvo lights are so upright, they are more vulnerable. I went to a website www.xpel.com. They sell plastic die cut pieces to stick on the lights. I got a set for my 850 and C70, and after driving about 80,000 miles combined, no damage at all!








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    Broken Headlight Lens - Too Often? 850 1985

    posted by  Dick in Falls Church on  Fri Feb 1 06:10 CST 2002
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    last visit: Fri Aug 1 10:33 CST 2014
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    Daughter's insurance covered her 850 headlight.
    I've put the plastic on my 88 Saab 9000 Turbo- works so far. I bought two sheets, meaning to do a daughter's, too--but sheet would only do one light, so used both.








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    Broken Headlight Lens - Too Often? 850 1985

    posted by  someone claiming to be Bill El Gato on  Tue Jan 29 10:14 CST 2002 [RELATED]

    Only $90? Where did you get 'em????

    Mine are something like $260 with discount. Lucky, I think the 9xx/7xx wiith the built in fogs go for around $500. Each.

    I broke one (rock) got the IPD headlight covers, broke one of THEM (rock!) and lately broke a foglight (rock).

    Try IPD for the headlight covers. http://www.ipdusa.com/

    -Bill D. Cat








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      850's can change just lenses (hint: get E-codes) 850 1985

      posted by  davidm on  Tue Jan 29 11:39 CST 2002
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      7xx/9xx you have to replace the whole fixture. With 850's and 70's you can change only the lens.

      Yuri...As long as you're changing lenses, get the E-codes! (Precision Volvo, 978.948.7778, Volvo oem for $100 each.) BTW, the IPD acrylic covers are are custom manufactured to precesely fit you car, and they look OK.

      The rock strikes are probably a coincidence....and this kind of thing happens a lot on highways where cars (and flying winter debris) are travelling at higher speeds
      --
      (98 S70 T5SE misc mods, mostly lighting) (92 940GLE)








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    Broken Headlight Lens - Too Often? 850 1995

    posted by  Erwin on  Tue Jan 29 09:53 CST 2002
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    last visit: Thu Oct 23 10:39 CST 2014
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    I haven't tried this on any of my cars but there are clear vinyl headlight protectors available. The Griot's Garage catalog has a cut-your-own-to-fit, or currently on ebay, (search "volvo 850") there are custom cut clear adhesive vinyl protectors that even have a small Volvo logo. Inexpensive and if they actually work worth the price IMHO. Any others try something like this?

    Regards,
    Erwin in Memphis
    '95 855t








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      Broken Headlight Lens - Too Often? 850 1995

      posted by  Jeong on  Tue Jan 29 17:30 CST 2002
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      iPd also carries a clear vinyl sheet for about $15 last time I checked that you can trim to cover your headlight lenses. The sheet is fairly thick and has enough material for both sides. I would recommend them over the clear lexan covers.








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    Broken Headlight Lens - Too Often? 850 1985

    posted by  Valles on  Tue Jan 29 09:27 CST 2002
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    I have a 87 855R with 80,000 miles - I've replaced bulbs but never lenses.

    On the one hand I would say having to replace a lens twice in 1 year is asreal bummer. On the other hand I would say you have been very very fortunate. I will happily replace a headlight lens any day to having a bolt bounce off of my hood, punch through my grill, or even worse shatter my windshield.

    Just let us know which roads you drive on so we can avoid them. ;-)
    --
    Nathan Valles, Black 855R, Tint








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    Broken Headlight Lens - Too Often? 850 1995

    posted by  John G on  Tue Jan 29 08:53 CST 2002
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    last visit: Thu Jun 28 20:37 CST 2012
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    I've had my '95 for seven years and never had a rpoblem. Also been coming here for years and tha's the first I've heard. The fact that there was a bolt in the headlight would lead me to think it's not a manufacturing defect!
    Sounds like bad luck!







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