I'm really not a DIY kind of guy, but I thought I could handle this one. Changing the look of the rear of my 427 Vert by installing new tail lights and CHMSL. The tail lights I've dealt with in the past - a 15 minute job, at most - plug-and-play. Figured the CHMSL couldn't add much to that - looked like two studs, remove the fasteners and reverse to install new. Only drawback is that you are pretty much working blind through the tail light holes.

It took me a while, but I finally realized that the spoiler used on the Z06's and 427 Verts makes that installation more difficult. You have to remove the spoiler in order to gain access to the CHMSL. Again, working blind through the tail light holes there are 8 nuts with integral washers, threaded onto studs in the spoiler. Once I got those off and removed the spoiler, I could now see what I was dealing with. The CHMSL is held in place by speed-nuts (just cheap pierced sheet metal that threads over the studs). No way to remove them - I assume that they are just pressed on over the threaded stud. So I destroy them, but get them off. No harm, no foul, they can just be replaced with regular nuts. Then I realize that the CHMSL is secured to the underside of the spoiler by those same studs, that have an integral collar about half way down their length....


The bottom must have coarse, self-tapping threads that screw into the spoiler down to the collar. Above the collar are machine threads. The top of the stud looks like a reverse-torx - you would need a female torx socket to remove the studs.

The tabs from the CHMSL are under the collars, so it appears in order to change the CHMSL out those studs must be removed. I could try to turn them out by using vice-grips, which would destroy the threads. I would suppose that the tabs for the new CHMSL could be secured to the spoiler just using screws.

I can't be the only one confronted with this. Is there an easier way, or do I just plod on as outlined above?

Nothing is ever easy - I seem to have the Midas touch in reverse.

cueguy

 

Post a photo of exactly what you’re referring to? I’m pretty sure I know, but it’s a bit hard to visualize

 

The top of the stud is definitely torx in configuration. I ordered a set of torx sockets so should be able to back the stud out enough to install the new CHMSL. What makes no sense is the plastic washer and speed-nut that were installed on this stud and the one on the other side. If I had left it on there it would have just come out with the stud - they secured it to nothing - absolutely useless.

Story to be continued on Wednesday when the torx sockets arrive.

cueguy

 

hmm, I haven’t had mine apart, but I’d be willing to bet that the 3rd brake light tab is meant to be above and not below that studs collar, and the speed nut is actually meant to secure it.

 

I’m wrong, that does seem to be how it’s configured based on some googling!

 

Your Google-foo is strong

 

You have a 427. If your spoiler is stock you have a ZR1 spoiler. I haven't had my spoiler off my 427 so I can't answer with respect to a ZR1 spoiler. I can answer with respect to a Z06 or "Ron Fellows Full Length Spoiler".

Remove the 2 studs holding the CHMSL using a female/external torx socket. Install new CHMSL then reinstall studs. The studs that held the CHMSL on my spoilers had no speed nuts.

What are you changing your CHMSL to?

 

I know it's sacrilege but I just used a pair of vice grips to grab the torx head on the stud and unscrewed it ... they are not in very tight. Saved buying the right size torx socket.

 

Ok, Let me be the first, what is a CHMSL

 

The third brake light.

 

Center High Mount Stop Light

 

You're right it's the ZR1 spoiler - my bad. Sounds like they are secured the same way.

Changing to all clear lenses in the rear facing lights, to match the clear lens side-marker lights. The clear lenses go well with the color of the car, and when the lights are activated they really "pop".

Thanks all for your input. Sockets should be here tomorrow so the project should conclude then. Of course with my luck, who knows?

cueguy

 

Sockets came late in the day, so completed the mod yesterday. Here is the final result...



The outside circle and crossbars are the taillights. The two hemispheres are the brake/turn signals. Clear lenses but black background between the LED's.

Again thanks for the help.

cueguy