[rob76turbo]

Hi all,

I have a problem that I hope that someone knows the work around. I have to change a bulb in the rear tail light assembly and when trying to undo the black retainer, it appears the underlying bolt that it attaches to broke. So the black retainer just spins on the bolt, it does not come out. See pix...

I tried to grab the top of the bolt that is inside the black retainer with needle nose pliers and it just spins....so is there a way to get that black retainer off so I can change out the light bulb?

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[DayDreamer]

I had a similar problem a few weeks ago.... The light housing has a nut that is supposed to be tight against the light housing to stop the screw from turning loosely like yours is. I turned and turned and got nowhere, I opened the other side and saw how it should work... so... here is what I did.

Pull the plastic knob firmly away from the light while to turning, this will pull the thread and lock the end piece against the light housing on the inside. Eventually, it will come off. Remove the light housing and tighten the nut to stop the thread from turning freely and refit... do the other side too just in case.

Good luck...

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[flash]

unfortunately this happens quite a bit - i had to replace a lens for this very reason

you can also try squirting some "nuts and bolts" or similar loosening agent into the threads, but the above procedure is the only thing i can think of, short of using a lever of some sort to facilitate more pressure

in the end, you will be likely replacing the lens anyway, as there is no real way to fix it that will be strong enough to hold torque, so maybe it's just best to snap it off and be done with it

tech tip: when threading these on, use anti-seize

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[rxter]

With a couple of photos Rob this would make a nice DIY. SOunds like we are all in for this one eventually.

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[rob76turbo]

I would love to do the DIY, but it looks like Flash (and I) already did it and ordered another tail light. Got one from DC automotive (plus new black fastener and rubber cap) for $80. Cheaper than ebay.

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[DiREW0LF]

Both of mine are doing that as well. I figured the solution would be to replace them. In the long run wouldn't it be better to find a fix since its just a matter of time before it happens to a new lense?

Rob, can you take a picture of the light once you get it out? I would like to see what the offending part looks like.

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[flash]

the fix is simple - use anti-seize on the threads - then the resistance won't be there and it won't crack the plastic

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[DiREW0LF]

Would it be possible to plastic weld the cracks and add some additional plastic to reinforce (and obviously anti-seize the threads during assembly)?

I really wish I was home so I could go pull them out and see how its designed.

Not buying new tail lights would mean more performance parts!

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[flash]

not really - it's a press in post, much like a pem nut - once it's stripped or cracked, it's done

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[DiREW0LF]

What keeps it from just pulling out once its broken loose? I gave mine a pretty good tug.

I think you are making a bigger deal out of this flash, I bet a few zip ties and duct tape would fix it! j/k I would never!!!

BTW, Jeff at Sunset quoted $115 and $125 for each tail light. Just for those wondering.

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[flash]

lol - no worries - the only thing i can think of would be to melt the plastic, and reinsert the post

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[DiREW0LF]

I should really wait to look at the light, but what about pulling the stud out, enlarge the whole to fit a nut, plastic weld a nut into the light, filling in all the gaps around the nut. Then machine the end of the stud down and give it some threads, thread the new stud into the light with some red threadlock..???? The sides of the nut should keep it from turning in the plastic, the only challange would be to make sure the plastic weld is strong enough so the nut doesn't pull out.

This is going to bug me now. I might have to stop on the way home and pull the light out... 1 hour 45 minutes to go.

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[SILVY968]

helicoil?
Brian

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[flash]

nope - the problem is the stud has splines that insert into the plastic - when the threads get corroded, the splines are no match and rip through the plastic

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[gryphon]

I have not done this repair myself, but as a general note, a few drops of superglue and a few hours patience will sometimes snug up a loose fastener enough to remove it.

Tom

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