Replacing 88 tail lamp assemblies
Thread Starter
Heel & Toe
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 19
Likes: 0
From: Plano TX
Replacing 88 tail lamp assemblies
Anyone have a slick way to replace tail lamp assemblies on 88. They are the type that are retained from the rear. Do I really have to remove all rear end plastic to get at bolts, if so any tricks?
Drifting
Joined: May 1999
Posts: 1,478
Likes: 3
From: Sacramento, CA Money can't buy happiness - but it's more comfortable to cry in a Corvette than a Yugo.
Re: Replacing 88 tail lamp assemblies (dano7vette)
Welcome dano7vette,
There are several choices. Some recommend attacking the assemblies from the bottom. I wasn't able to get it done that way.
I removed the license plate. Then remove the backup lamp holders. They are held in place by physically hooking into the bumper cover itself. No screws there that I remember. You can reach around the backup light units, but it is much easier if you pull them out. Then reach in and get the 2 nuts holding the inboard tail-light assembly. I found a 1/4" rachet and deep well metric sockets to work best. You may need to unhook the bulb from the tail-light assembly in order to get at the far side nut. You have to squeeze and turn the bulb holder to get it free. (Similar to other bulb units on the car.)
Once the inboard assembly is out the outboard assembly is a relative piece of cake. Just reach in from the big hole where the inboard assembly was.
Installation is the reverse of the removal process. Many have replaced the tail-light bulbs with the LL (long life) version to avoid redoing this for as long as possible. Take your time and it isn't that bad a job. You probably will get scratched arms, but no busted knuckles. No need for an impact gun or other trick tools.
There are several choices. Some recommend attacking the assemblies from the bottom. I wasn't able to get it done that way.
I removed the license plate. Then remove the backup lamp holders. They are held in place by physically hooking into the bumper cover itself. No screws there that I remember. You can reach around the backup light units, but it is much easier if you pull them out. Then reach in and get the 2 nuts holding the inboard tail-light assembly. I found a 1/4" rachet and deep well metric sockets to work best. You may need to unhook the bulb from the tail-light assembly in order to get at the far side nut. You have to squeeze and turn the bulb holder to get it free. (Similar to other bulb units on the car.)
Once the inboard assembly is out the outboard assembly is a relative piece of cake. Just reach in from the big hole where the inboard assembly was.
Installation is the reverse of the removal process. Many have replaced the tail-light bulbs with the LL (long life) version to avoid redoing this for as long as possible. Take your time and it isn't that bad a job. You probably will get scratched arms, but no busted knuckles. No need for an impact gun or other trick tools.
- 1986 Original Owner -
Joined: Apr 1999
Posts: 3,193
Likes: 139
From: North Yorkshire, England
Cruise-In I Veteran
Cruise-In II Veteran
Cruise-In III Veteran
Cruise-In IV Veteran
Cruise-In VII Veteran
Re: Replacing 88 tail lamp assemblies (Mike_88Z51)
This is exactly right and the way big fat guys like me with big fat arms need to do it. I think you'll find that once the license plate is removed you'll see the backup lamp holders actually have two 7mm screws that hold them in place. The tail light assemblies use 10mm screws.
Drifting
Joined: May 1999
Posts: 1,478
Likes: 3
From: Sacramento, CA Money can't buy happiness - but it's more comfortable to cry in a Corvette than a Yugo.
Re: Replacing 88 tail lamp assemblies (Ray Quayle)
Ray, you are correct about the 2 screws for the backup light holders. Thanks for the correction. I remembered the backup light holders were hooked into the bumper physically because there is a trick to manuvering the holder out of the bumper after removing the screws. That took me a few minutes to figure out the first time I did it. I forgot to mention the screws need to be removed first. After removing the screws I thought the holder was stuck due to corrosion or something. The holder came out easy once I figured out the hook and loop setup. The backup light holder screws come out real easy.
- 1986 Original Owner -
Joined: Apr 1999
Posts: 3,193
Likes: 139
From: North Yorkshire, England
Cruise-In I Veteran
Cruise-In II Veteran
Cruise-In III Veteran
Cruise-In IV Veteran
Cruise-In VII Veteran
Re: Replacing 88 tail lamp assemblies (ld85)
Hey Ray, good to see you again! Hope all is well!
