Taiilight removal question

J

JD Cross

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8 July 2002
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Recently a shop had to remove my left taillight.
When I got the car back I noticed my center taillight was loose and an inspection showed the pins all loose with the bases broken (see pic)
The shop said the tech did not remove the center taillight and only removed the ten nuts holding the left side taillight and angled it out.
I didn't think you could remove the left or right taillights without first removing the centre section.

For those of you who have removed taillights is it possible to remove a right or left without removing the center section first?
 
See page 23-192 of the online service manual in the Wiki section. I haven't pulled my tail lights in years but I think the center panel must be removed first. Someone else will chime in I'm sure. In any case those nuts need to be tightened to only 10 lb/ft. Over torquing will result in the damage you have, The numbnuts in the shop you used obviously used a power tool or even worse, an air tool to re-tighten the nuts. I would check your tail light too for damage in case they didn't realize they fucked up the center panel and did the rest of the nuts by hand. JB Weld should fix the problem. Hopefully the tail light is ok. There's always small claims court. :)
 
center must come off first. then the other 2 can come off. since they broke all the tabs I would have them buy you a new one. you can put the studs back in and use a soildergun to melt the plastic around them to fix it but when you tighen the nut back down they break again trust me I have tried on tons of center now I end up buying new every single time. ugghh.

good luck

- - - Updated - - -

also you need new gaskets EVERYTIME you remove them so since I KNOW they didn't put new gaskets your trunk is gonna get water in it. you will not notice at first but when you trunk smells like gym socks from
the superbowl you will then know the mold has entered your life. then removing all the carpet, shampoo, let sit in the sun for 1 week wil get the smell out.

the gaskets compress once... after that they are not " springy " anymore and don't make a good seal. if the gaskets are fairly new then you can get away with it one more time
 
shawn110975 said:
also you need new gaskets EVERYTIME you remove them so since I KNOW they didn't put new gaskets your trunk is gonna get water in it. you will not notice at first but when you trunk smells like gym socks from
the superbowl you will then know the mold has entered your life. then removing all the carpet, shampoo, let sit in the sun for 1 week wil get the smell out.

the gaskets compress once... after that they are not " springy " anymore and don't make a good seal. if the gaskets are fairly new then you can get away with it one more time
Click to expand...

I disagree about the gaskets. I have taken my taillights out (1997) and they still had sealing ability. Maybe yours were old or not original. My taillights are sealed perfectly - not a drop in the trunk after many car washes.
 
most of the taillights I have taken off have prob been on the car for 20+ years so those are toast. if the gaskets are somewhat new like 3+ years old then I think they can prob be reused I agree.

also I have taken mine off before and they still seal but they are less than a year old.
 
Wow, that sucks. I'd look for signs of additional damage done by a pry-bar (or equivalent). There's no way the studs would break off like that without a pry bar of sorts.
 
I suppose it is possible that they simply forced the light out with the center in and that is why it is now broken, some people just cannot bring themselves to read the shop manual - either way, on more than one occasion I have removed the center section from nsx's and found the studs to be broken already so it is hard to say. The thing is, I would immediately call the owner to tell them the studs were broken instead of just returning the car like that (and worse, trying to tell them that I did not remove the center panel - thus making myself look even worse)
 
angus said:
I suppose it is possible that they simply forced the light out with the center in and that is why it is now broken, some people just cannot bring themselves to read the shop manual - either way, on more than one occasion I have removed the center section from nsx's and found the studs to be broken already so it is hard to say. The thing is, I would immediately call the owner to tell them the studs were broken instead of just returning the car like that (and worse, trying to tell them that I did not remove the center panel - thus making myself look even worse)
Click to expand...

I sent a package of pics to the body shop including excerpts from the shop manual. They are reviewing and will let me know. I know the studs were all fine before the car went to the shop. We'll see if they will order me a new center section.
 
Jim, sorry to here about this...
I have had a similar experience with another car with a trunk lid problem that leaked after some small body work. Shops hate rework. They sometimes lie and cheat just to get rid of the client. My body shop told me they tested the leaking problem and it was all solved. The car had about 5 gallons of water in the trunk when I looked. ( still in the shop parking lot from the days rain!). The owner accused me of leaving the trunk lid up in the rain! I hadn't even picked the car up yet. I found they tore the trunk seal when removing it and did want to replace it. Then the insurance company initially sided with the body shop. I fought hard and never gave up. Either should you my friend...
 
I fixed the broken stud bases on my spare tails using epoxy to glue the stud back into the base, and also using a thin wire to pull in hold the cracked base close to its original shape. What I did was dremel a groove around the cracked base, fill the stud hole with expoxy, stick stud back in hole, then wrap the wire into the groove and as you tighten the tire ends, it squeezes the broken plastic base back together. I leave the wire on and when its all dry its all solid again.
 
skafia said:
Would you be willing to sell your broken center?
Click to expand...

I'm still getting sorted out with the shop that damaged it so will need it until the situation is resolved.
If it's not needed after that I would sell it yes.
 
Happy to report that Burrard Autostrasse in Vancouver made good on their mistake and ordered a new center taillight section for me.
 

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