Quote Originally Posted by fmflex View Post
Hi Wai

I'd be very interested in hearing how you go with dealing with this. Mine was replaced at 3 1/2 years after it had an internal short which meant the centre stop light was always on. Not had any problems since then and mine's almost 5 years old.
I will. I do not expect much from VAG. It will be their usual line of "standard for that type of vehicle".

My suspicion is that the dealers are simply using silicone to mount them.

The problem (probably worse for me as I have a tailgate instead of doors) is that the lens is used to provide rigidity for the assembly, only the part that you screw is stressed as you try to mount it. It flexes and transfers this to the lens. If you install it when it is warm, when t gets cold (and we have had some very cold nights), everything shrinks and this effectively bends the lens. The lens mounting surface is flat, whereas the opening in the tailgate is curved The mounting effectively tries to bend the lens and this causes it to crack.

You can relieve this a little by releasing the barbed pegs on either end of the lens. You don;t have to do this to the new one you get, just modify the one you are replacing. Also, use silicone to seal it, and it is just finger tight - let the head come in contact and then no more than 1/4 turn. Tape over it to avoid losing the screw if it comes out. You could even use silicone here.