While gently closing the boot the other day, my roof brake light spontaneously shattered with a loud crack. There is no originating crack, and it would be difficult to break it since it's protected by the spoiler. It just happened.

My dealer said he's had one other, so he'll fix it free, but I've been on this board for some months and have not heard of any others. Has it happened to you?

 

Ours is also cracked. Not sure how our when it happened but it is definately cracked. Haven't had it replaced yet though.

 

Perhaps slamming the hatch close causes the assembly to crack?


No problems here.

 

Well after washing the MINI I just noticed the third brake light was cracked.
:evil:

I can not believe it was a result of closing the hatch. I am very careful in closing it that often times I close it so softly that I don't realize that it isn't shut properly until I turn the ignition and see the open-bonnet/boot warning light.

The crack is in the center.

 

Fixed under warranty.
Me happy again.
:smile: :smile: :smile: :smile: :smile: :smile:

 

When I installed my clear CHMSL, I noticed the stock light is torqued rather excessively. I would guess this overtorquing of the small plastic assembly is rather stressful, and seems only inevitable a stress crack would form. I installed my new clear CHMSL with much less torque. My recommendation would be to re-torque the three screws to a less-insane rating, just snug is fine.

 

>>When I installed my clear CHMSL, I noticed the stock light is torqued rather excessively. I would guess this overtorquing of the small plastic assembly is rather stressful, and seems only inevitable a stress crack would form. I installed my new clear CHMSL with much less torque. My recommendation would be to re-torque the three screws to a less-insane rating, just snug is fine.


ryan..thanks for that
quick question..how do i get to the three screws you mentioned?
thanks for your help :smile:

 

I didn't have this exactly happen but, today I closed the hatch and one of the clear lenses that go to the lights above the license plate fell to the ground. I had some trouble getting it to go back in. It looks a little crooked in its place but, that's the best I could do. No cracked 3rd brake light BTW.

 

I have had the 3rd brake light cover crack twice on an '02 Mini Cooper. Each time the cover flew off when getting the car washed. It costs around $115 to $150 to replace. I guess the moral of the story is to hand wash the car, especially if you notice small cracks in the lens before washing the car.

 

WOW...I did not even know search went all the back to 2003!!! You win the award for the oldest thread resurrected this month (year?)
Welcome to NAM. If you go over to the 1st gear forum, you can make a post introducing yourself!!

I had my 3d brake light lens disappear a few weeks ago....I was able to get a new plastic portion (the red lens and the reflector) and transfer over the LED's to the new one. All fixed. Cost me $30, including shipping!! oh...I had to use about $.25 of epoxy cement that I already owned.
Thank you WayMotorWorks.com!!! He gave me the different options, and told me what to do!! WayMotorWorks.com rocks!!
I think my failure was a result of the glue failing that connected the red lens to the reflector....and I think it happened because I MAY have over torqued the lens when I re-installed it after I installed my brake light pulsar...maybe not...it took 3 years to fail!!