Porsche Folio "Articles & Guides"

Installing a headlight unit in your 911

This article applies to the 911 between 1965-89 and the 930 Turbo between 1975-89 and the 912 between 1965-69.

The headlights are a distinctive feature of the 911. They look integral to the car and look seamless in the way they are fixed to the front of the wings. Amazingly they are held in with only one small retaining screw, yet if assembled carelessly you can easily damage your paintwork. Here's our quick guide for fitting a headlight assembly, quickly, easily and safely.

The headlight seats against the headlight bowl with a sponge rubber seal in between. The sponger rubber seals cushion the headlight assembly and protect the paintwork.. They are often missing from the older cars, so if yours is missing make sure you replace them.

Next while hold the headlight assembly in one hand, connect the wiring look from within the headlight bowl to the back of the headlight assembly. Next, carefully locate the top of the headlight unit to the top of the headlight bowl rim. There is a hook type assembly that holds it in place. Then carefully lower the bottom of the headlight in place. Then while holding it in place, put the headlight bezel over the top of the headlight aligning the bottom with the hole for the fixing screw. While aligned, insert the fixing screw and tighten.

Be extra careful when tightening the fixing screw. Use a screw driver that fits perfectly. One slip at this stage will cause damage to the paintwork.

A slightly different method, is to first put the fixing screw in place but only tightening a few threads, and then hook to the top of the headlight assembly in place before tightening the fixing screw. You should choose the method that works best for you.

Here's a short video by P101tv member Peter Morgan taking you through how he recommends installing the headlight assembly on his 1968 911.

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Text Comments (3 of 3)

By: hoffman

Date: 27-10-14

Rated: 0

Nice article and great little video. Thanks Pete.

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By: pete917

Date: 19-10-14

Rated: 0

Hey Porka. Me also. I have a screwdriver that Ive modified to make it fit solidly and reduce the chance of slipping. Glad you liked the guide.

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By: Porka

Date: 16-10-14

Rated: 0

Nice guide. Ive had my headlights off a few times and that screw at the bottom always worries me. It always seems like im one slip away from scratching the paint! I have a screw driver where I ground a small point that locates in the hollow of the screw to stop it slipping. Seems to work a treat.

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