[Sakaike]

I just installed GP Thunders in both my DRLs and fogs. The fogs fit fine. However, the fit on the DRLs seem loose. They're seated, but I can "jiggle" them easily, tilting them such that I can easily create a gap between the red gasket and light housing.

Is this normal? The same bulbs seated nicely in the fogs. I am 95% sure I have them properly twisted in and seated. I even took them out, and reinstalled the Osram OEMs to make sure I was twisting them into the right position, etc.

I'm concerned that the loose fit may either eventually allow a small amount of moisture into the housing over time, causing corrosion (happened on my Lexus), or that vibration from driving might actually unseat the bulbs (not likely, I know).

This looseness is on both sides, further convincing me that they are properly installed and that this is a bulb design issue.

Anyone care to comment?

[E92_335]

No they are supposed to be a tight fit.. this happened to me at first. you have to put it DIRECTLY in and twist without pushing down on one side or else it will screw in crooked

[Sakaike]

I appreciate the quick reply. I will definitely take a look at them again in the morning.

Follow-up question - Is there a trick to installing these? I'm a handy guy, and have just finished installing the OEM alarm (for example), but the space is so cramped and awkward, it's amazing.

Like I said above, I reinstalled the OEMs several times nice and tight with no problems whatsoever.

In addition, the GPs are in and rotated to the correct position (even got the little click), and they are not skewed in any way (both sides), which led me to believe that this was a bulb problem, not a flaky installation.

Any additional observations, advice or comments are welcome. TIA.

Update: I tried once again for too long (about an hour), trying everything to no avail. I swapped out the tight fitting GPs in the fogs up to the DRLs with no luck (also loose), and also tried many times to get the GPs to seat properly. Eventually, I ended up putting the GPs back in the fogs, and put the OEM Osrams back in the DRLs (snug and an easy install). Unless I hear of a tip or trick from someone on this forum, I'm going to ask the stealer to do this for me when I take the car in next week to activate the alarm. I'm going to be embarrassed to ask them to do something as lame as this, but I can't believe that I haven't been successful doing this myself.

[E92_335]

maybe you bent or damaged the little metal pieces that click in by applying too much pressure? easy does it my friend... i barely had to use any force with mine, it just very smoothly clicked in

oh and you need very very small hands (which I thankfully had ) good luck

[elac]

I also got the same poblem, it's a bit lose.
I have ordered 2 box for the DRL & change 3 bulbs for the right hand side head lamp. It is a little bit lose & no matter how many time I try to fix, it is still like that. I think I will not use the GP once I got the LED buld by next week.

[slant83]

had the same problem with them being loose. They work fine however with no errors or outages. They are seated well but "slightly" loose. Reinstalled them several times..same thing

[elac]

Don't use them for the fog lamp if then cannot 100% fit. It will cause some water vapour goes in the fog lamp. I am having this trouble now!!! Need to replace again.

[Sakaike]

Originally Posted by elac

Don't use them for the fog lamp if then cannot 100% fit. It will cause some water vapour goes in the fog lamp. I am having this trouble now!!! Need to replace again.

Thanks for the advice, but the fogs are just fine - nice and snug. That's one of the things that is weird, and makes me wonder if there is user error involved. The same bulbs that fit snug in the fogs fit loose in the headlamps.

For now, I'm using the GPs in the fogs, and stock Osrams in the headlamps, until I can work this out. Thanks.

[cipher5]

Mine are slightly loose (head lamp) haven't installed fogs yet, i don't see any gaps, but they do jiggle a little. I think it'll be fine.

[jpsimon]

I'm having the same problem. It happened with a different brand bulb, and it is happening with the thunders I just got. When i put the OEM bulbs back in they fit in perfectly tight and fine. The thunders are pretty loose, but I think they'll be fine..... time will tell

[Sakaike]

I appreciate all the posts from others experiencing the same thing as me. It helps confirm that I'm not crazy (at least in this situation). If someone can suggest a similar aftermarket bulb with similar output and color that fits as snug as OEM, I would really appreciate it. TIA

[giddyup69]

yup... these bulbs are cheaply made. i have the same problems experienced in this thread. one bulb fits fine and the other doesn't. what i did was bend the metal tabs a bit away from the base of the bulb. that allowed it to fit more snuggly. won't buy these again.

[cwn23]

Here's a trick...use the original orange gasket for the GP thunders...Just swap the gaskets from each other and I guarantee a better fitting...THe Gp thunder gasket is more flexibe whereas the OEM one is more ridgid..

[Heat00]

Sakaike,
one question:

how the hec do you get the drl's changed out ??

I couldn't even remove the black cover box lmao....

i have room to get in there without removing the wheel but no idea how to get cover off..


also, can we please see pics??????

[aut0sh0cker]

Originally Posted by E92_335

No they are supposed to be a tight fit.. this happened to me at first. you have to put it DIRECTLY in and twist without pushing down on one side or else it will screw in crooked

yeah i did the same thing, about an hour ago haha

[330iTiAg]

I purchased the E92 halo upgrade from Bimmian (i.e. the Xenesis Tru-Match). Both of my H8's are loose too. The OEM's were nice and snug. Ian at Bimmian suggested the same solution... Take the gaskets from the OEMs and put them on the upgrade bulbs. I have not tried this yet. I too have already spent far too much time with my hand in that tiny little space trying to get these bulbs to seat properly.

Has anyone with the loose bulb problem tried switching-out their gaskets? Did this fix the problem?

[cn555ic]

Originally Posted by 330iTiAg

I purchased the E92 halo upgrade from Bimmian (i.e. the Xenesis Tru-Match). Both of my H8's are loose too. The OEM's were nice and snug. Ian at Bimmian suggested the same solution... Take the gaskets from the OEMs and put them on the upgrade bulbs. I have not tried this yet. I too have already spent far too much time with my hand in that tiny little space trying to get these bulbs to seat properly.

Has anyone with the loose bulb problem tried switching-out their gaskets? Did this fix the problem?

Yes I already posted that it works, thats why I recommended you to do so!!!

[BMdblU]

Originally Posted by jpsimon

I'm having the same problem. It happened with a different brand bulb, and it is happening with the thunders I just got. When i put the OEM bulbs back in they fit in perfectly tight and fine. The thunders are pretty loose, but I think they'll be fine..... time will tell

+1

[BlueLion]

i just did the install tonight and did the driver side in 5 min

it took me about 20 to do the passenger side, because i had a hard time getting it to screw in tight, it kept jiggling. I did get it to work with the same gasket that comes with the GP i had to have the plug facing straight up in the 12 o'clock position and push it in flat then turn....I don't have small hands so it was hard to push it in flat and turn at the same time, but its in there now and I am NOT taking it out

long story short, take the time to make sure it fits right, because of what the poster above said, you dont want moisture getting in there, it will work, be patient.

[Sakaike]

Originally Posted by Heat00

Sakaike,
one question:

how the hec do you get the drl's changed out ??

I couldn't even remove the black cover box lmao....

i have room to get in there without removing the wheel but no idea how to get cover off..


also, can we please see pics??????

Pics will take a while, since I don't have the time at the moment. The black box cover has two wide tabs. Use a flat-bladed screwdriver to push one in while pulling up on the cover to unseat the first tab. When it has popped in, go to the second tab, do the same, and the whole cover will lift out.

I don't understand the second question, except that you may be referring to accessing the fogs. You can do this by removing approximately six of the screws holding the wheel well cover in place, along with some of the screws along the botton of the bumper. You will need to go almost to the centerline of the car.

Once all these screws are out, you will be able to peel back the wheel well cover enough to reach in and access the H8 fog lights. For this one, there are several threads here that provide photos illustrating this process.

Hope that helps.

[KWA VaTech]

Originally Posted by cwn23

Here's a trick...use the original orange gasket for the GP thunders...Just swap the gaskets from each other and I guarantee a better fitting...THe Gp thunder gasket is more flexibe whereas the OEM one is more ridgid..

this is what I did, the OEM ones are thicker, works like a charm!