Tail light removal?
Thread Starter
|
Senior User
Joined: Nov 2008
Posts: 251
Likes: 0
Tail light removal?
I'm working on my plans to enclose the short box to create a dirt bike hauler. I went to remove the tail lights to have a look at the nutplates for the tailgate mounts. This is to decide how I make the support for my box extension.
The book says to remove the screws and pull the light assembly off the tabs. With the screws out, the assembly pivots a bit, but there is no easy spot to grip on. Looking down through the stake pocket, I can see the guide pins that locate the assembly in the fender. They indicate that the assembly pulls out to the rear on a 45* angle to the body.
What do you do? Put a paint stick behind the assembly and lever against the body? A fairly good pull didn't achieve anything.
The book says to remove the screws and pull the light assembly off the tabs. With the screws out, the assembly pivots a bit, but there is no easy spot to grip on. Looking down through the stake pocket, I can see the guide pins that locate the assembly in the fender. They indicate that the assembly pulls out to the rear on a 45* angle to the body.
What do you do? Put a paint stick behind the assembly and lever against the body? A fairly good pull didn't achieve anything.
Senior User
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 113
Likes: 0
From: Slippery Rock, PA
I agree they are tricky, i usually pull mine out with my fingers, i just keep wiggling it around until it pulls, almost feels like im going to break it. A time or two ive wrapped a screwdriver in a towel and put a piece of rubber against the paint and pried them out
Thread Starter
|
Senior User
Joined: Nov 2008
Posts: 251
Likes: 0
Thanks for the tips. I did get it out, just took a big pull and lots of wiggling. I slid a rag between the lens and the paint so I wouldn't mark the paint while struggling with the lens assembly. I greased the pins too.
If you are wondering about your tailgate ever coming loose, no need to worry. The bottom mount is attached with red loctite and is a real bugger to remove. The top latch pin is in with blue loctite and is easier to remove. Note that when the bottom mount is removed, there is BARE sheetmetal under it (primer did not flow under the bracket).
The small hole at the bottom of the lens back looks like good location to add another bulb. Anyone open it up large enough for a 3157 (or 1157) socket?
If you are wondering about your tailgate ever coming loose, no need to worry. The bottom mount is attached with red loctite and is a real bugger to remove. The top latch pin is in with blue loctite and is easier to remove. Note that when the bottom mount is removed, there is BARE sheetmetal under it (primer did not flow under the bracket).
The small hole at the bottom of the lens back looks like good location to add another bulb. Anyone open it up large enough for a 3157 (or 1157) socket?
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
