tail lights
Team Owner
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 20,290
Likes: 239
From: Summerland B.C. Canada
Have you tried removing the license plate and accessing via that opening ?
If it's the outer, you might have to remove the inner, to get to the outer.
Never had to do mine, so no real good advice.
If it's the outer, you might have to remove the inner, to get to the outer.
Never had to do mine, so no real good advice.
Race Director
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 16,835
Likes: 337
From: Database Error Indiana
Racer
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 253
Likes: 0
From: Fayetteville NC
Replaced all four of mine. Try to go through the license plate for the inner lights like previous poster stated. If your doing all of them which I recommend, remove the rear bumper. Bought the bulbs from O'Reilly auto store and had to clean off a ton of electrical grease off the old tail bulbs to get them to free up but basically there's a socket they go into and you have to hold the lever in and twist the old ones out. It's pretty simple. The hardest part is bolting the bumper back on. Definitely easier with 2 or three people helping to wire everything back together and put it back on. Hope this helps. If you need more in depth explanation PM me. - Cooters
Le Mans Master
Joined: Feb 1999
Posts: 6,470
Likes: 2
From: levittown pa. usa Even a bad day with my `Vette, is better than a good day at work
St. Jude Donor '10
Replaced all four of mine. Try to go through the license plate for the inner lights like previous poster stated. If your doing all of them which I recommend, remove the rear bumper. Bought the bulbs from O'Reilly auto store and had to clean off a ton of electrical grease off the old tail bulbs to get them to free up but basically there's a socket they go into and you have to hold the lever in and twist the old ones out. It's pretty simple. The hardest part is bolting the bumper back on. Definitely easier with 2 or three people helping to wire everything back together and put it back on. Hope this helps. If you need more in depth explanation PM me. - Cooters
Don`t know what GM was thinking when they made these cars.
Instructor
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 217
Likes: 0
From: Coopersville MI
Le Mans Master
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 9,680
Likes: 3,427
From: Akron Ohio
2025 Corvette of the Year Finalist - Modified
2024 C5 of the Year Winner - Modified
2023 C5 of the Year Finalist - Modified
2022 C5 of the Year Finalist - Modified
St. Jude Donor '09-'10-'11
86 is correct. Remove plate and back up light. (7mm socket) Reach in with a 10 mm 1/4" drive and remove 2 bolts. That will get the inner out, then you can reach in and remove the light socket for the outer. If you have fat arms, just get a chain saw and cut the bumper off.
I have fat arms and my fore arms now look as if I am a cutter!
Race Director
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 16,835
Likes: 337
From: Database Error Indiana
Corvette Stories
The Best of Corvette for Corvette Enthusiasts
Corvette ZR1X Will Be Pacing the Indy 500, And Could Probably Race, Too!
Verdad Gallardo
Top 10 Corvettes Coming to Mecum Indy 2026!
Brett Foote
Top 10 C9 Corvette MUST-HAVES to Fix These C8 Generation Flaws!
Michael S. Palmer
10 Revolutionary 'Corvette Firsts' Most People Don't Know
Joe Kucinski
5 Reasons to Upgrade to an LS6-Powered Corvette; 5 Reasons to Stay LT2
Michael S. Palmer
2027 Corvette vs The World: Every C8 vs Its Closest Competitor
Joe Kucinski
10 Most Common Corvette Problems of the Last 20 Years!
Joe Kucinski
5 MOST and 5 LEAST Popular Corvette Model Years in History!
Joe Kucinski
2027 Corvette Buyer's Guide: Everything You Need to Know!
Joe Kucinski
Le Mans Master
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 6,050
Likes: 147
From: Phoenix AZ
2021 C4 of the Year - Modified Finalist
DO NOT REMOVE THE BUMPER.
That is ludicrous. Just do as previously instructed, take out the license plate, and the backup light, then remove the inboard light, there are 2 10mm bolts holding them in.
Use a 1/4" ratchet and a socket with a short 2 inch extension. Remember, they are all plastic, so a firm hand is all that's necessary.
Then you can get to the outboard one. reverse procedure, and while you are in there, use a medium brush to loosen any dir, or debris.
That is ludicrous. Just do as previously instructed, take out the license plate, and the backup light, then remove the inboard light, there are 2 10mm bolts holding them in.
Use a 1/4" ratchet and a socket with a short 2 inch extension. Remember, they are all plastic, so a firm hand is all that's necessary.
Then you can get to the outboard one. reverse procedure, and while you are in there, use a medium brush to loosen any dir, or debris.
Racer
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 253
Likes: 0
From: Fayetteville NC
Sorry. I've taken this thing apart so many times to modify the body. I am used to just taking the bumper off. When I think about it if you aren't familiar with taking it apart it's a b*tch and is probably overkill! 
Pro
Joined: Oct 1999
Posts: 515
Likes: 0
From: Nashua NH
the inners I did by removing the plate and reverse lights as everyone recommends...but the outers, I just reached up from under the car and changed them that way. Wasnt the easiest thing to do, but beats taking all kinds of stuff off
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jun 2009
Posts: 5,060
Likes: 1
From: Tabernacle NJ
St. Jude Donor '10-'11-'12-'13
86 is correct. Remove plate and back up light. (7mm socket) Reach in with a 10 mm 1/4" drive and remove 2 bolts. That will get the inner out, then you can reach in and remove the light socket for the outer. If you have fat arms, just get a chain saw and cut the bumper off.
Race Director
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 11,470
Likes: 763
Marv02 just posted this - he removed, and went through the rear inner fenders. i've never done that, but he indicated it was a lot easier. not sure if it's any faster or not...
http://forums.corvetteforum.com/c4-g...ke-lights.html
http://forums.corvetteforum.com/c4-g...ke-lights.html
Last edited by Joe C; Mar 3, 2010 at 10:52 AM.
