This may have been discussed before. However I attempted a search and didn't come up with anything. Here's the deal. I've had an "01" C5 for 9 years. It currently has 16,000 miles on it and I've replaced both front parking lamps two times due to cracked lenses. I was detailing the car last weekend and noticed both lens are cracked again. Was there an issue with these units or am I just the fortunate one? I highly doubt that thet were cracked from road debris considering where the car gets driven.

Thom

 

Never heard of the lens cracking as an issue, I do know that the housing melting from the hot bulb was an issue.

 

Cracking where? GOt any pics of the cracks?

 

Everytime the cracks appear anywhere on the clear portion of the lens. I'll have to go out to the garage and try and get some shots.

Thom

 

They do take a beating so it wouldn't surprise me if road debris was causing it.

Did you replace with aftermarket or GM?

 

I've tried both with the same results. At $60 a pop the last time i bought them it's becoming more than a nusiance. I'm going out to the garage this evening to see if I can gat a pic or two good eneough to show the cracks. They're small enough that you normally don't see them at first until you wash the car and see that they're fogging up on the inside.

Thom

 

Hi,

where are the cracks, inside or outside the lens ?
What kind of bulb do you have ?
Thanx

 

If you have regular bulbs try switching to LED's The regular ones get hot and although I have never saw it I suppose if they cool down quickly like if rain hits them they may crack.

If I can dig them out I have a set of Clear ones with amber sides that look almost new I will sell you for $50.00 shipped. That is if my wife has not done some of her famous cleaning which means I may never find them.
I replaced them about 2 months after I got them with white sides because I think the look better on my pewter car.

 

I found out about this last week. I was told that all C-5's have a problem with the parking lights cracking from stress. Every C-5 we looked at had the cracks. I guy there said he took his to a dealer and they replaced them (at a cost of course) but this time they put a grommet somewhere that is suppose to be a fix for this.

 

I would like to know about this grommet. When I swapped out my lenses for aftermarket (better looking) and LEDs, I alwasy thought the holding spring was silly.

 

Thom, you need to obtain a clear headlight and directional signal / marker light protector kit. It will protect your headlights, parking and turn signal lights.

The film is remarkably strong and resilient and it will not yellow over time or due to high heat.

I've installed a set on my last several vehicles. It is well worth the cost. Griot's has a great selection precut for most makes. Prices run from $20 to $70. They're priceless...

Pre-Cut Headlight & Fog Light Shields for C5 Chevrolet Corvette #10232 $59.99

Go to their website and punch in 10232

Everyone should have these installed on their front lenses = cheap protection.

Semper Fi,
Bob

 

I just looked on the website. By the description, it sounds like film for the headlights and foglights, not the front corner DRL lights that the OP is inquiring about. Since there are screens to protect the fogs and the headlights are hidden during the day, the front corners are what are always exposed. I guess removable tint material could also work.

Was there another drop down option I missed?

 

Tint material is not as strong as the clear polycarbonate film protectors. If you call them directly as I did to inquire about the application for your make and model I was assured that they were for my headlights and DRL's.

Pre-Cut Headlight & Fog Light Shields

"Pre-Cut Headlight Shields. A Great Way To Protect Expensive Lenses
I've made thousands happy with our Headlight Shields but some of you have asked for pre-cut pieces. Ask and you shall receive. Each kit comes with two headlight shields and some include two fog light shields (depending on the model of the vehicle). The adhesive-backed UVB/UVA stabilized poly-laborate vinyl is 40 mils thick. These stabilizers mean it won't yellow. Guaranteed for four years against sunlight, salt and harsh chemical deterioration. DOT approved and optically clear so they won't alter the appearance of headlights. Cleans like glass and easy to install. Perfect for headlights, fog lights and turn signals on cars, motorcycles, trucks and motor homes. Save yourself the cost of a new headlight, and the time installing it! Available for most vehicles. Please specify year, make and model."

If you go through the vehicle selector after you click on the product it will specify "headlights and turn signals". The fit is perfect.

Bob

 

Thanks. I like the idea of protecting my DRL/Corner lights, however I wonder how close the stock C5 OEM headlight lens covers would be for my ACAs. I thought about buying some film and cutting it to match, however not sure if HID requires a different kind of film than halogen due to heat/temperature differences.

 

Sorry, Thom, I don't want to appear to be highjacking your thread...

Allen, I remember a few years ago I was able to purchase small oblong sheets from Griot's to enable me to custom cut pieces for the headlights on my Cobra 427 S/C replica. So, I would say that they probably still have sheets available for you to custom cut your own.

This film is strong stuff and very flexible at the same time. Rest assured that even though our headlights flip down when not in use all it will take is one errant stone or small piece of debris to crack or fracture our lenses when they're up.

I've seen thicker film that is difficult to apply... it will have folds that look horrible on a curved surface. Griot's carrys the good stuff. If you take your Vette out on the road at all this film should be on your front lenses.

This is something one of our forum vendors should attempt to venture into...

Hurraahhh!

Bob

 

Allen, do you have a flat single lense in front of the projectors?

 

I guess I don't have enough post to warrant attachments for pics.

Thom

 

I've got a friend who's a dealer principal. I'll check with him and his Service department to see what they have to offer.

Thom

 

The ACAs have a slight curve to the lenses per the pic below. I'm not too concerned with covering these as I drive lights down 90% of the time. If I find something, great.



As to the actual corner lens protection from the OP, Mid-America has Corvette-specific covers. Might be easier (and less expensive) than working with Griots. Link below:

http://www.mamotorworks.com/corvette-2-249-616.html

 

Allen, I see the curved single front lenses. Even if you drive with your headlights on 10% of the time they should be protected.

It looks like the coverage area for your headlight lenses might match the standard pre-cut C5 Corvette pieces in the C5 Corvette kit. Of course the DRLs / parking-turn signal lenses would fit.

The protective headlight film pieces I have on my stock lenses measure 4" H x 9-1/2" W (at the bottom) tapering up to 9" W (at the top) with appropriate small cutouts for standard headlight aligning equipment. Just about the whole headlight lense is protected. I don't know if you have those little nubs that stick out on your front lense. If you don't I'd call Griots and ask them if they have individual sheets available and the size of them.

As I've said before I've tried other manufacturer's protective film kits because they were a little cheaper but they did not adhere to the lenses appropriately. I'm sticking with the product that I'm familiar with (I never tried Mid-Am).

Short note: After observing that the top of the original DRL / turn signal lense housings were burned through on the top during routine bulb replacement I replaced both lense housings (they’re not cheap). That was not acceptable… so I pulled the #2 fuse under the hood which effectively disables the daytime running lights and never looked back. I’m all for driver safety so I still ride with my parking lights on during the day.

Bob