View Full Version : Why are the taillights so frigging tough to put in?!?


Floyd_Bishop
02-13-2005, 04:58 AM
Hey everyone,

I just got finished installing the cooler taillights on my Scion xB. The guy at the dealership told me it should go really fast, like ten minutes.

An hour later, they're installed.

I had to go to Autozone and get a deep socket, because the socket I had wouldn't fit over the bolts. The bottom nut came off just fine, but the top bolt sits up really high and very very close to the edge of the interior metal. I really had to contort to get the top nut off.

It was a lot of cursing and swearing, but they're in and the look and work great. Any suggestions as to what I could have done to speed things up? Is there an easier way to get to these two bolts? That access panel is not really big enough, in my opinion.

SilyOtter
02-13-2005, 05:13 AM
uhhhh. the right tools really go a long ways in making your job easier.. i just used a 3/8 rachet and a 10mm deep socket.. and took me about 10 mins.. once i figuredo ut how to unplug the middle light bulb :P ...

BOXCAR2
02-13-2005, 05:21 AM
i also struggled with the bolts, but my biggest problem was getting the new tailights to go in. i finally gave up. did you take your rear bumper off to do this install?

Orataro
02-13-2005, 02:10 PM
i also struggled with the bolts, but my biggest problem was getting the new tailights to go in. i finally gave up. did you take your rear bumper off to do this install?

I've changed my tails often and have no major problems.

Some tips: Place the lower part of the taillight in first and the top half should fit right in. In some cases, the rubber gasket may have to be replace with the stock gasket. Some of the JDM gaskets are thicker then the stock gasket. Not replacing the gasket can cause a large gap between your taillights and car body. Tighting them too hard to closed the gap may cause the taillight to crack.

Good Luck!

Floyd_Bishop
02-14-2005, 02:16 AM
Yeah, the right tools help :)

I had no problems seating the new tail lights, and I didn't take the bumper off or anything like that.

I was careful not to over tighten once I got them in. I thought about the possibility of them cracking. Thanks for the heads up though.