Question - installing clear corners
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 1,047
Likes: 69
From: Hanover MA.
Question - installing clear corners
My wife just bought me new clear corners (front & rear) for my '04 black vert for my birthday. 
I have 2 questions. 1st - once the tail lights are removed, does the power antenna need to be removed to access the screws to the right rear corner lens? 2nd - What is the easiest method to replace the front corners (turn signal lenses)? I have read posts on the forum to remove the headlight assemblies to get access to the corners and other posts indicate the corners can be accessed from under the car.
I will be doing the work in my garage and have a floor jack, lifting pucks & jack stands if the car needs to be raised for access to the front corners.
Thanks,
I have 2 questions. 1st - once the tail lights are removed, does the power antenna need to be removed to access the screws to the right rear corner lens? 2nd - What is the easiest method to replace the front corners (turn signal lenses)? I have read posts on the forum to remove the headlight assemblies to get access to the corners and other posts indicate the corners can be accessed from under the car.I will be doing the work in my garage and have a floor jack, lifting pucks & jack stands if the car needs to be raised for access to the front corners.
Thanks,
Safety Car
Joined: Feb 2001
Posts: 3,725
Likes: 53
From: Warrington Pa.
http://forums.corvetteforum.com/c5-t...with-pics.html
Here's a set of instructions that Pewter99 did awhile ago, Post #3....It's not bad, only about 1hr. Well if you drop a spring or a bulb it may take longer... Hope this helps. Bill
Here's a set of instructions that Pewter99 did awhile ago, Post #3....It's not bad, only about 1hr. Well if you drop a spring or a bulb it may take longer... Hope this helps. Bill
Melting Slicks
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 2,866
Likes: 45
From: Tampa Bay, Go BUCS!!!Go Rays!!!Go Lightning!!!
St. Jude Donor '12-'13-'14
Yes, the antenna needs to be removed but that's nothing compared to actually getting the nuts off the inside of the rear side markers. PATIENCE and small hands will prevail.
The first time you change the front corners it is probably best to do it from the bottom. Remove the side air dams and you will find access panels to remove as well. A lift would be better so you could get a better angle to view it.
To be honest, once you have done it you'll find it easier to do by removing the headlights. I know it sounds contradictory but until you know where the screws are that hold it in you are at a disadvantage. Once you know where the screws are (three screws hold the corner in) it is much easier from the top. I know this from experience. I just changed mine for the second time this weekend.
Good luck.
The first time you change the front corners it is probably best to do it from the bottom. Remove the side air dams and you will find access panels to remove as well. A lift would be better so you could get a better angle to view it.
To be honest, once you have done it you'll find it easier to do by removing the headlights. I know it sounds contradictory but until you know where the screws are that hold it in you are at a disadvantage. Once you know where the screws are (three screws hold the corner in) it is much easier from the top. I know this from experience. I just changed mine for the second time this weekend.
Good luck.
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 1,047
Likes: 69
From: Hanover MA.
http://forums.corvetteforum.com/c5-t...with-pics.html
Here's a set of instructions that Pewter99 did awhile ago, Post #3....It's not bad, only about 1hr. Well if you drop a spring or a bulb it may take longer... Hope this helps. Bill
Here's a set of instructions that Pewter99 did awhile ago, Post #3....It's not bad, only about 1hr. Well if you drop a spring or a bulb it may take longer... Hope this helps. Bill
Thanks, I'll check out the link.
Drifting
Joined: Oct 2003
Posts: 1,932
Likes: 4
From: Warrenville Il
My wife just bought me new clear corners (front & rear) for my '04 black vert for my birthday. I have 2 questions. 1st - once the tail lights are removed, does the power antenna need to be removed to access the screws to the right rear corner lens? 2nd - What is the easiest method to replace the front corners (turn signal lenses)? I have read posts on the forum to remove the headlight assemblies to get access to the corners and other posts indicate the corners can be accessed from under the car.
I will be doing the work in my garage and have a floor jack, lifting pucks & jack stands if the car needs to be raised for access to the front corners.
Thanks,
I have 2 questions. 1st - once the tail lights are removed, does the power antenna need to be removed to access the screws to the right rear corner lens? 2nd - What is the easiest method to replace the front corners (turn signal lenses)? I have read posts on the forum to remove the headlight assemblies to get access to the corners and other posts indicate the corners can be accessed from under the car.I will be doing the work in my garage and have a floor jack, lifting pucks & jack stands if the car needs to be raised for access to the front corners.
Thanks,
It's easier to gain access from underneath by removing the closeout panel. The brake duct plastic will just pop right out of your way. You don't have to lift the car that high to do it either. Going in from the headlights is a long reach and a tight fit, not to mention all the extra hardware that needs to be removed to do it. imagine leaning over your car for a couple of hours (Backpain!!) or laying on a blanket on the floor. Be careful when you lift, use those jack stands and chock the rear tires. Most importantly enjoy those new lights, and post some pictures.
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 1,047
Likes: 69
From: Hanover MA.
Yes, the antenna needs to be removed but that's nothing compared to actually getting the nuts off the inside of the rear side markers. PATIENCE and small hands will prevail.
The first time you change the front corners it is probably best to do it from the bottom. Remove the side air dams and you will find access panels to remove as well. A lift would be better so you could get a better angle to view it.
To be honest, once you have done it you'll find it easier to do by removing the headlights. I know it sounds contradictory but until you know where the screws are that hold it in you are at a disadvantage. Once you know where the screws are (three screws hold the corner in) it is much easier from the top. I know this from experience. I just changed mine for the second time this weekend.
Good luck.
The first time you change the front corners it is probably best to do it from the bottom. Remove the side air dams and you will find access panels to remove as well. A lift would be better so you could get a better angle to view it.
To be honest, once you have done it you'll find it easier to do by removing the headlights. I know it sounds contradictory but until you know where the screws are that hold it in you are at a disadvantage. Once you know where the screws are (three screws hold the corner in) it is much easier from the top. I know this from experience. I just changed mine for the second time this weekend.
Good luck.
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 1,047
Likes: 69
From: Hanover MA.
It sounds like your wife has good taste.
It's easier to gain access from underneath by removing the closeout panel. The brake duct plastic will just pop right out of your way. You don't have to lift the car that high to do it either. Going in from the headlights is a long reach and a tight fit, not to mention all the extra hardware that needs to be removed to do it. imagine leaning over your car for a couple of hours (Backpain!!) or laying on a blanket on the floor. Be careful when you lift, use those jack stands and chock the rear tires. Most importantly enjoy those new lights, and post some pictures.
It's easier to gain access from underneath by removing the closeout panel. The brake duct plastic will just pop right out of your way. You don't have to lift the car that high to do it either. Going in from the headlights is a long reach and a tight fit, not to mention all the extra hardware that needs to be removed to do it. imagine leaning over your car for a couple of hours (Backpain!!) or laying on a blanket on the floor. Be careful when you lift, use those jack stands and chock the rear tires. Most importantly enjoy those new lights, and post some pictures.
Instructor
Joined: Jul 2009
Posts: 175
Likes: 0
From: chesterfield va
i did it from the bottom, first time working on my car, took about 30 minutes. Once you get under there you will see how easy it is
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Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 1,047
Likes: 69
From: Hanover MA.
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 1,047
Likes: 69
From: Hanover MA.
I installed the rear corners tonight. Actually, they were a piece of cake. It took less than 1 hour start to finish to do both sides. The only tools requires are a #15 torx to remove the tail lights, a 1/4" ratchet, 10 MM socket to remove the power antenna and a 7/16 socket to remove the nuts from the corners.
A quick tip to re-installing the power antenna back into the rubber gromet - I wiped the inside of the gromet with WD-40, the antenna slid right in.
I will tackle the front corners this weekend.
A quick tip to re-installing the power antenna back into the rubber gromet - I wiped the inside of the gromet with WD-40, the antenna slid right in.
I will tackle the front corners this weekend.
Safety Car
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 3,640
Likes: 83
From: . New York
I dont know, when I did mine I just took out three screws from each side from underneath (didnt even have to remove the air damn, just pull flap down). Didnt even raise the car. Its just a spring that holds the carrier into the frame if I recall.
