agoodcave

OK, so I got a set of OEM foglights off of a fellow member here so I have no instructions. I decided to install them this afternoon. Looked in the owners manual and figured that installing them would be similar to changing a bulb.

Manual says take it to the dealer to change the bulbs. But it provides me pictures of how to get to the general area through the tire well.

I remove the front tire and most of the clips to expose the backside of the nose and oil cooler. I feel around, find the screws to the blanking plates where the fog lights are to go. I remove the three screws and finally remove the blanking plates.

I work the fog lights into the general area and start to line up the screw holes, but no matter what I do, they interfere with the oil cooler. I notice that because of the light housing, they are wider than the blanking plate, particularly on the side where just the light is.

What am I doing wrong? Do I have to move something or is it just so close that it has to be in just right? I don't really want to remove the front nose to do this, but is that the only way?

Has anyone else done this installation? If you have the old directions that would be great too.

Please help.

Mike

staticlag

Removing the front nose is the easiest way to do the installation.

Here are removal instructions:

http://www.racingbeat.com/PDF/RX8nose.PDF

agoodcave

Are you implying that that is the only way to install them? Wil taht eliminate the interference issue? I don't see how....

What worries me is the refitting issues some have had when reinstalling the nose.

Mike

staticlag

Unless you have incredibly small and agile hands, yes it is going to be your best bet.

Refitting Issues? I've been around this board for a year and haven't heard of anyone having refitting issues.

galleychief

Concur w/ Staticlag^, It goes back on easier than it comes off, and I have to remove it again this weekend to attach the CAI to my REVi. Pull the nose bro', it makes life much easier!

zoom44

link please? i havent seen this.

beachdog

Some of us have had an issue with the gap between the leading edge of the hood and the bumper cover after multiple removal/reattachments. One of our resident techs advised me to loosen all the 10mm at the bottom of the tray and have someone lift the bumper cover while retightening all the bolts. Easy fix.

Don't recall if there was a thread or if this was a bunch of pm's.

agoodcave

Zoom and all,

See above, that's what I remember reading about. It's on this DIY forum, search for removing the nose.

I just can't believe I can't install them from the rear. I got the blanking plates off. I just couldn't get the light into position. Oh well, I've been wanting to get the front lip too so I'll do both at the same time.

Thanks all.

Mike

tiggerlee

Not to hijack your thread agoodcave but...
I'm glad I stopped by this thread. I asked once before about this in here somewhere but I don't think I got a definative response. After my second air dam install by the dealer I noticed a wider gap there,took it back to the dealer and they said it's not adjustable. Thanks beachdog I may try to re-adjust it myself. Now back to our regularly scheduled programming. :D

beachdog

continuing the highjack, you're welcome. Now I better do as I say and readjust the gap before you see the wide gap I've been driving around with (before Race Rock). Last time I had the nose off, I was in a hurry and didn't lift before tightening. I might also put some shims behind the top edge to tighten the gap a bit extra. Now if I can only find that box of shims...

agoodcave

Highjack away guys. This is why I didn't want to remove the nose in the first place. The fit is great and I didn't want to f#$& it up.

Mike

agoodcave

Okay, looked at an RX-8 at work with the fog lights and saw my problem. I assumed the light sat beside the oil cooler when in fact, it blocks it slightly on the side and the light sits ahead of the oil cooler.

So today, I tried it again. Jacked up the left side, removed the tire, removed most of the access panel clips in the wheel well. Contorted my hands, removed the 3 screws from the cover plates and installed the fog lights without removing the nose. Yes, you must have small hands - which I do and it takes a little time and concentration to put the screws in blindly, and then guiding the screwdriver onto them blindly. But, it can be done. Took about 45min. for the driver side and 15min. for the passenger. Don't know if I saved any time, but I hate plastic clips and if I broke one, the dealer is 20miles away!

I still need the wiring pig tails to go from the lights to the harness. Anyone know what brand and model the electronic connectors are?

Mike

TxRx8

Your 8 should come with the connectors bud. I didn't have the stock fogs. I found some connectors attached to the inner wall next to where the fogs hook up. Just attach those and install the the wand to your blinker goes, and you should be done. Did you get the wand with your fogs?

agoodcave

TxRx8, I'll take a look for the wires. I found some further back in the wheel well and I assumed they were them. They were too short tho' so I assumed there was a connecting wire.

As far as the wand goes. no. I did not get that. I bought them used off a guy here.

Mike

TxRx8

You found 'em! Those are them. Just pull 'em out from where they're attatched. As far as the wand goes, you'll need it if you want to turn the fogs on, buddy. Those connectors run straight to the wand fog switch.

avakiannl

iTrader: (1)

Does anyone have a pic of the wand to turn the fogs on? Where is it located? Can I just use a regular switch instead of it?

swoope

iTrader: (5)

part of the turn signal lever...

beers