Headlight edge broken - easy fix?

[Bonnyboy]

I was trying to remove the spring clip from my headlight glass and when removing one of the spring clips I heard the sound of cracking glass - %$#%%@.   So now I have a headlight with one section where the spring clip goes, broken off. 

I really doubt it but I have to ask.   Is there a fix for this or do I just leave that clip unmounted.   I have heard of people driving around with missing clips so I expect that this is sort of the same thing.   Its the clip located at 4:00 o'clock.     

Is there a less destructive means of removing those clips?  Should I spray a lubricant on the clip first?   I was using a screwdriver to pry it off and then after it snapped I realized that by prying the clip off with the screwdriver I am actually compressing the end pinching the glass - no wonder it took a piece of glass with it.   

[66andBlue]

Welcome to club! Just use it w/o the one clip.
If you know a glass blower perhaps he can melt on a glass blob and the file in a groove. Glue will not work.

To remove the clips (and also to put them on) I use a thin but strong 90 degree hook tool.

[Tomnistuff]

On the one I broke in exactly the same way about 15 years ago, and which allowed the reflectors to corrode, I`m going to use PermaPoxy by Permatex.  It`s clear and claims to work on glass.  You can always scratch the broken surface a little.  That should help.  I`ll probably mask mine and sand blast the broken edge to "frost" it for better adhesion of the epoxy.  I'll then file it to shape.  Who knows?  It might even work.

Tom Kizer

[Cees Klumper]

It's been a while since I had to, but I'm pretty sure that I use pliers to remove these clips: grab each clip, then pull and lift  it up/away from the glass, moving it aside.  So there's never any pressure on the glass. The clips are flexible enough to extend just the one or two mm necessary.

[Neil Thompson]

I like Alfred twice have used a 90 degree Snap On Tools pick to release the clips. Twice, yes twice, the pick slipped and gouged a chunk out of my left hand. I now remove the complete assembly and carefully use pipe grips to squeeze the alloy frame and glass together to remove the clips - much less pain I find

Neil

[stickandrudderman]

There's a Mercedes tool, a small hook on a T bar, the purpose of which is for removing instrument clusters. It doesn't have a sharp point and is perfect for removing these clips.

[w113dude]

It's been a while since I had to, but I'm pretty sure that I use pliers to remove these clips: grab each clip, then pull and lift  it up/away from the glass, moving it aside.  So there's never any pressure on the glass. The clips are flexible enough to extend just the one or two mm necessary.

That's exactly how I do it.