JFR-

New member here. Wanted to thank you guys for this post and the confidence it gave me to pull "like a thousand wild horses" to finally get my stock lights to let go.

I also wanted to share my application of a "fishing line" method, which helped me get a hold of the outside corner. I simply wiggled some string behind the corner, let it slip inward on the back of the light a few inches and then tied the ends together to close the loop and create a sort of handle.

If not for this thread, there's no way I would have pulled as hard as it took to get those suckers out.

Thanks again
John

durand

Thanks JFR! The string method worked very well and much better than my first removal to replace a brake bulb a couple of years ago on my 2006. Thanks again

sgny

Did you ever end up figuring out how to get that screw off? I am having the same problem, where the top screw on the left tail light just keeps spinning and spinning and wont budge for coming off?

Please help and thanks so much

clubracer6

Sorry to bring up and old thread, but having the exact same issue. Anyone have a solution??

clubracer6

So if this problem comes up for anyone else the only solution was drilling it out.

Wisconsin Joe

Well, I didn't drill mine.

I used a Dremel to grind the head off the bolt.

My "speed nut" (the little sheetmetal clip on thing) had rusted to the bolt. When I tried to turn it, it just broke. So the back of the speed nut was rusted to the bolt & was just spinning.

I don't think there's any way to reach inside there to hold the stupid thing. Even after I got it apart, I couldn't see a way that would have worked. You know, the old "Now that I see what happened, I should have done "this" instead.

Bernard

Do you remember what tip you used? I'm having the same problem with the top bolt. Thanks

Wisconsin Joe

I think I used a somewhat worn cut-off wheel. I have a little jar of them. They are maybe 1/2"-3/4" in diameter, and as they get used up, they wear down smaller.

I used one that was maybe 1/3 gone, and it fit into the little "pop-out" cover over the bolt. It was tight, and I ended up chewing up the plastic a little bit.

Bernard

Thanks for the info. Did you end up grinding the head off or cut it off? Thanks

Wisconsin Joe

It was a while back, so the memory is a bit fuzzy.

But, I sort of did both. I think I came at it from the side, and kept taking chunks off of the head until enough was gone to get it through the hole.

I also may have switched back and forth from the cut-off wheel to a grinding stone wheel (smaller diameter). I think I tried a few different cutting and grinding tips to see what worked best, and some of them worked better at different times.

It was a fairly slow process, maybe an hour of work.

Bernard

Thanks I'll give it a shot this evening and see how it goes.

BIG smoke

If your grinding? Safety glasses.
If your scared of chipping the paint?
A little marking tape on the bumper and around the light.

Bernard

Thanks... Had them on yesterday. I'm trying to removed the lights to pull the bumper to have it painted. I know the other light is going to have the same problem because I tried and stopped before it broke off.

Bernard

Got it... I first tried to use a dremel but it would've taking days to remove it. I ended up drilling it out. I used a 7/64 and 7/32

I used possibly the smallest Vise Grips ever made I had to grind down both sides of the tips so it would fit in the holes to hold the bolt from spinning but worked perfect.

I bought a new speed nut and I'll need to JB weld it in place being the top edge of the light is broken off.

I'm just going to drill out both bolts on the other light so I don't break off the edge.

Thanks for all the help

Bernard

Took me less then five minutes to drill out the other two bolts on the other light. The key is to not force the bolt and break the plastic holding the speed nut. Just drill them out. Hope this helps the next person.