Side marker light
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Jul 2021
Posts: 154
Likes: 12
Side marker light
I want to replace the passenger rear side marker light lens on my C5. I’ve removed the rear carpeted compartment panel and found a threaded stud and pop rivet in the general area of the outside light. What are the next steps to replacing the light?
Burning Brakes
Joined: Mar 2020
Posts: 776
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From: KY
And it can be difficult to get the Tinnerman nuts off. The light mounting studs are plastic and the Tinnerman nuts are stamped metal and thin and sharp-edged so you have to use a socket or wrench, not your fingers when they get near the end of the stud. I didn't have one but I would think a ratcheted, closed end wrench would be best as there is hardly room for a 1/4" drive socket and you need a medium depth socket as the studs are fairly long.. Regardless, they don't ever get looser as they cut into the plastic stud. When you remove the light from the body you are likely to break the plastic studs that the nuts are on.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Feb 2003
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From: Memphis Tennessee
Racer
Joined: Nov 2019
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From: Warren Oregon
If you have a convertible the right side is accessible by removing the inner fender. You can't get to it through the tailight because of the power antennae. Sounds harder than it is just remove right rear tire and all the screws are accessible to remove inner fender. Remove it and the side marker is easily accessible. Left side is easy through tailight. Thread the nuts on before installing to make threads on plastic stud then remove nuts and install side marker. This makes it easier to start nuts on in the right space you will be working in.
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All good advice. And be sure you do not over-tighten the attachment nut - doesn’t take a lot to snap the stud off the light.
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I agree with all the advice given so far. The one other piece of advice is to make sure the the fasteners are lined up straight with the studs. It's not like with a nut and bolt where they just line up. Since the fastener cuts into the stud, it is possible to get in on crooked. Then it will not apply even pressure on the back of the body panel. It will likely still hold, but it also increases the chances of breaking the stud. Go slow and be careful.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Mar 2020
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From: KY
Burning Brakes
Joined: Aug 2004
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From: Dunstable MA
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If you have a convertible the right side is accessible by removing the inner fender. You can't get to it through the tailight because of the power antennae. Sounds harder than it is just remove right rear tire and all the screws are accessible to remove inner fender. Remove it and the side marker is easily accessible. Left side is easy through tailight. Thread the nuts on before installing to make threads on plastic stud then remove nuts and install side marker. This makes it easier to start nuts on in the right space you will be working in.
Last edited by Rich Silvestris; Aug 13, 2021 at 09:38 PM.
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From: EAST TENNESSEE
If you have a convertible the right side is accessible by removing the inner fender. You can't get to it through the tailight because of the power antennae. Sounds harder than it is just remove right rear tire and all the screws are accessible to remove inner fender. Remove it and the side marker is easily accessible. Left side is easy through tailight. Thread the nuts on before installing to make threads on plastic stud then remove nuts and install side marker. This makes it easier to start nuts on in the right space you will be working in.
