Fog Light Mounting

[ledzilla]

Ok, so I lost both fog lights, but managed to actually recover one from the side of the road. Upon inspection, I found that the mounting screws had ripped from the holes in the bumper cover. After having some work done on the car, it was shifting hard into second gear under WOT, and the way I figure, since it was easy enough to cause the fog lights to move with light pressure, the force of acceleration from the shifting ultimately caused the lights to rip off from the mounts.

Now, my question is this: Is there a way that anyone knows of to more securely attach and mount the fog lights so that such a thing does not occur again? As it is, I'm not sure the current screw holes are in good enough condition to use again.

[Curless]

There is no way it was from hard shifting, the bumper cover would simply flex first...that being said I would throw some two part epoxy in the screw holes with the screws and let it set up. Once it has you should be able to back the screws out and have perfect threaded holes.

[fastblackmerc]

There is no way it was from hard shifting, the bumper cover would simply flex first...that being said I would throw some two part epoxy in the screw holes with the screws and let it set up. Once it has you should be able to back the screws out and have perfect threaded holes.

You'd have to put some type of release agent like oil or grease on the threads... no?

[fastblackmerc]

Ok, so I lost both fog lights, but managed to actually recover one from the side of the road. Upon inspection, I found that the mounting screws had ripped from the holes in the bumper cover. After having some work done on the car, it was shifting hard into second gear under WOT, and the way I figure, since it was easy enough to cause the fog lights to move with light pressure, the force of acceleration from the shifting ultimately caused the lights to rip off from the mounts.

Now, my question is this: Is there a way that anyone knows of to more securely attach and mount the fog lights so that such a thing does not occur again? As it is, I'm not sure the current screw holes are in good enough condition to use again.

Get bigger diameter screws.

Shifting won't make them pop out.

[ledzilla]

Well, I suggest shifting as the cause as the shift into second was hard enough each time to break the tires loose and give a strong jolt, along with how I noticed that the fogs never felt firmly in place. It just seems that as often as I hit second hard (which was a LOT, and fun), to me it seems that I eventually shook the fogs loose. When I have the opportunity, and after I've purchased some replacement mounting hardware (and a new fog, as I only have one left), I'll try the bigger screws, and maybe some epoxy or something.

I did think of bigger screws at one point, but to be honest I wasn't sure how big would be too big to fit through the holes. Also, is there a good way to get around the damned wheel well panel on the passenger side? It was a real pain in the ass to work around when I had to rewire the fogs because the connectors got all corroded. I don't have a similar panel on the driver's side, though. I'm not sure if that's factory design, or something done by the previous owner.

[jb513]

There is actualy a mount for the lights and that mount goes onto the bumper. So what fell out? just the lights or did the lights come out with a 4 screw mount? If it's just the lights themselves that fell out, Go into the back of the bumper and un screw the sleve mount and replace them. I found the best way to get at the sleve (unless you have a lift) is to jack up the front and take the wheels off. you'll notice there is a mount for the lights that also has 4 screws and a bottom leg held to the bumper by a push pin. If you can, use larger screws to mount the light to it (also 4 screws) but if it's shot, take the sleves out from the bumper and buy new ones. I know this sounds confusing but if you can get a good view of the back of the bumper, you'll see what I mean.

[ledzilla]

Yeah, the back of the bumper is hard to see, but I know what you're talking about. The whole shebang came out, lamp and mount. The mount basically ripped out of the bumper. And that leg you speak of I think was missing from both lamps. I saw it in exploded parts views, but not actually in my car. I don't know if that happened before or after I had the front clip removed to repair accident damage a few years back thanks to someone that pulled out into traffic and stopped in my way.

You know, I think that missing leg is probably why my fogs kinda flopped in the bumper.

[jb513]

Yes I think that would be right.. Anyways, I would replace that part..

[fastblackmerc]

Yeah, the back of the bumper is hard to see, but I know what you're talking about. The whole shebang came out, lamp and mount. The mount basically ripped out of the bumper. And that leg you speak of I think was missing from both lamps. I saw it in exploded parts views, but not actually in my car. I don't know if that happened before or after I had the front clip removed to repair accident damage a few years back thanks to someone that pulled out into traffic and stopped in my way.

You know, I think that missing leg is probably why my fogs kinda flopped in the bumper.

The "leg"is missing on both my foglights and the lights don't move around at all. Although there is a hole in the bottom of the "leg" there is no corresponding hole in the bumper. The foglight bracket is held in by 4 screws.

[ledzilla]

They have always been "detached" on the bottom, as far as I can remember. There is evidence that the car had been in an accident of some sort, but the details of the damage and repairs are unknown, and perhaps during repairs they had to reinstall the fogs and didn't replace all of the screws. I only remember there being four screws mounting the lamps into the mounts, just not sure about the mounts to the bumper.

[fastblackmerc]

They have always been "detached" on the bottom, as far as I can remember. There is evidence that the car had been in an accident of some sort, but the details of the damage and repairs are unknown, and perhaps during repairs they had to reinstall the fogs and didn't replace all of the screws. I only remember there being four screws mounting the lamps into the mounts, just not sure about the mounts to the bumper.

Correct, only the 4 screws, no other bumper mounts.

[92BlackGT]

4 screws for the foglight to the mount and 2 screws for the mount to bumper cover along with a push pin for the leg on the bottom of the mount.