Help, stuck tail light lens!

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Mar 18, 2008 | 08:45 PM

Rick Church

Guest

Posts: n/a

Help, stuck tail light lens!

My left rear turn signal light bulb is burnt out. I removed the two screws to pull the lens out but the top portion of the lens is stuck to somethiing, probably weather stripping. Are the two screws the only things that are supposed to hold the lens in place? I'm afraid to break the lens or chip the paiint by pulling or prying to hard. Recommendations..........

Thanks

Mar 18, 2008 | 09:12 PM

wombvette

Le Mans Master

Joined: Jan 2000

Posts: 8,918

Likes: 27

From: New Hill NC

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rick Church

Take the screws out. Then stick a phyllips screwdriver of the proper size into the holes. Shake, wallow them sideways and pull out at the same time.

Mar 18, 2008 | 09:39 PM

sperkins

Le Mans Master

Joined: Oct 2005

Posts: 9,429

Likes: 44

From: Macon, GA

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rick Church

Are the two screws the only things that are supposed to hold the lens in place?

Mar 18, 2008 | 10:21 PM

CCrane65

Safety Car

Joined: Apr 2000

Posts: 3,802

Likes: 61

From: Wichita KS

Well, actually, mine have three per lens. One in the center top and one on either side.

Your 71 shouldn't be any different.

cc

Mar 18, 2008 | 11:25 PM

LYLE

Melting Slicks

Joined: Mar 2002

Posts: 2,140

Likes: 7

From: Ohio

If you have an easy out that you twist to remove broken bolts put it in a T-handle and insert in the hole in the lens where the screw was and then turn it so it grabs the plastic and pull the lens off. If it is real tight move from one hole to the next till it comes off. No way this will sctatch the paint like a screwdriver will.

It has worked for me many times.

Last edited by LYLE; Mar 19, 2008 at 09:37 PM. Reason: xx

Mar 18, 2008 | 11:40 PM

7T1vette

Team Owner

Joined: Jan 2006

Posts: 37,637

Likes: 3,118

From: Crossville TN

My '71 has 3 screws per lens. If the car has been repainted, the owner [or painter] may have installed them on top of some overspray before the paint hardened...that would make them tough to remove.

Mar 19, 2008 | 05:45 AM

redwingvette

Safety Car

Joined: Aug 2001

Posts: 3,690

Likes: 202

From: Waterford Mi

The bulbs come out through the back. Just twist the socket and it will come out. No need to pull off the lens.

Mar 19, 2008 | 10:21 AM

69monzacpe

Burning Brakes

Joined: Nov 2005

Posts: 1,137

Likes: 51

From: Cartersville GA

Quote:

Originally Posted by redwingvette

The bulbs come out through the back. Just twist the socket and it will come out. No need to pull off the lens.

Not on my '69, 3 screws, remove lens, remove and replace bulb. Does not come out from the backside. I believe '70 was the same Maybe newer vettes are different though.

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Mar 19, 2008 | 10:48 AM

71rdster

Drifting

Joined: Jul 2005

Posts: 1,562

Likes: 2

From: Spring Texas

68 - 73 are virtually all the same. Remove the lens to replace the bulb. 74 and up went to the plastic taillamp body with the twistin sockets.

Mar 19, 2008 | 03:57 PM

#10

68/70Vette

Team Owner

Joined: Jul 2004

Posts: 40,448

Likes: 793

From: Redondo Beach, California

Right, prying the lens off with a screwdriver will probably chip the paint---maybe covering the paint with masking tape will help. Next time you're looking at an Eastwood catalog looking for something to buy, check out their little nylon pry bars. It's a body shop tool for doing just what you'd like to do here ...pry out your lens. I think a set costs about $30 (?)