Problems with installing tail lamps

[Bruinsfan]

Then get a razor blade and try to get the screw head out enough to get your pry tool behind it. Pry it out then the other part.

Are you using a forked prying device like this?

Great suggestion. I have been there too and used a utility knife on the screw head. After finally pulling out the screw tab, I replaced them with a better user-friendly assembly that I bought online.

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[Glade Runner]

Replacements: Amazon

 

[BlackMagicMojo]

I replaced all mine with regular push pins when I changed out my tail lights. It’s been over a year and no issues. You can get a bag of them for cheap on Amazon.

https://a.co/d/aXBRCsf

 

[ThunderFlash]

I replaced all mine with regular push pins when I changed out my tail lights. It’s been over a year and no issues. You can get a bag of them for cheap on Amazon.

https://a.co/d/aXBRCsf

I mentioned I had 99% success with the screw type. Somewhere in my wheel liners one is missing. Just bought these and will give it a shot. 100 for less than $9 delivered is hard to beat if they work.

Edit: Hum, maybe it was the cowl up by the radiator/air box. I'll probably have far more time locating the missing retainer!

 

[Brian_B]

For what its worth, this is my technique
- I never use a screw driver anymore
- pull screw out a bit, using pic tool
- use pry tool to pull out screw more if needed
- use pry tool to pull out entire clip

This is the way

If you can’t get a prybar/flathead under the screw part to pop it up, then heat up the tip of a Phillips and melt it into the plastic screw

They really are just glorified fender clips and cheap to replace so don’t be afraid to cut them off and replace them with Christmas tree type or something.

 

[ThunderFlash]

This is the way

If you can’t get a prybar/flathead under the screw part to pop it up, then heat up the tip of a Phillips and melt it into the plastic screw

They really are just glorified fender clips and cheap to replace so don’t be afraid to cut them off and replace them with Christmas tree type or something.

Awe, I love them "tricks of the trade" type tips. Perfect, it would probably even let you pull lightly with the screw driver with a stripped screw piece. Bravo.

 

[Dirtrider]

Hello, I finally just got my new tail lamps in the mail and I’m trying to remove the weatherstripping for my bronco. I use a trim tool with the Philips screwdriver to remove the weatherstripping and it does not budge at all and it’s stripped the bolts and now I don’t know what to do and I’m getting extremely angry when it was supposed to be an extremely easy install please help me. THE SCREWS STRIPPED IMMEDIATELY WTF

i spent 2 hours on it and cant even remove a single one of these screws. Are these fking screws plastic?! Who designed this?! All the online guides make it look like it comes off easy but it doesnt even move! Im EXTREMELY MAD

If all else fails, just drill the center screw out with ~1/8" drill bit. Once the head falls off you can push the rest of the plastic 'screw' through. Then pop the remaining plastic pieces out with the previously mentioned upholstery removal tool. These are pseudo fasteners and one time use. I don't think they are screwed in when installed at the factory, the screw is just pushed in to expand the outer plastic.

 

[Brian_B]

If all else fails, just drill the center screw out with ~1/8" drill bit. Once the head falls off you can push the rest of the plastic 'screw' through. Then pop the remaining plastic pieces out with the previously mentioned upholstery removal tool. These are pseudo fasteners and one time use. I don't think they are screwed in when installed at the factory, the screw is just pushed in to expand the outer plastic.

Yeah for installation you just push... they pop right in.

Which is why they use them - easy to install on the assembly line. Very little thought given to how to remove them or re-use them... in fact, the more convoluted and single-use/fragile they are, the more that dealer mechanics get to charge in labor and/or they get to sell in replacement parts. (Also the more they get dinged for time to complete recalls but I don't think they thought this all the way through)

 

[Dirtrider]

Yeah for installation you just push... they pop right in.

Which is why they use them - easy to install on the assembly line. Very little thought given to how to remove them or re-use them... in fact, the more convoluted and single-use/fragile they are, the more that dealer mechanics get to charge in labor and/or they get to sell in replacement parts. (Also the more they get dinged for time to complete recalls but I don't think they thought this all the way through)

I have a parts container with a wide variety of these plastic 'push pin' type fasteners, 'Christmas Trees' and wiring zip ties for Ford and Honda. Cheap if you get the correct ones on Amazon.

 

[Lifeliberty]

Like this? Trust me man ive been doing this for literally 2 hours now. WTF

No. You want the washer piece to stay in place as you back the screw out. Only wedge/pry under the screw head, not the whole piece, you want to separate the screw from the washer, back it out away. Once the screw is backed out, you can pull both pieces out(screw with washer)

 

[swami37]

Those are simple to remove
lol

 

[orion]

No. You want the washer piece to stay in place as you back the screw out. Only wedge/pry under the screw head, not the whole piece, you want to separate the screw from the washer, back it out away. Once the screw is backed out, you can pull both pieces out(screw with washer)

Actually, I do that to put more pressure on the threads of the screw so they can bite and the screw backs out, then just pull screw out after the head is exposed.

 

[Preheateddinner]

The OEM trim screws are the stupidest design ever. Every time I take one out, I replace it with one of these that only needs a flat head screwdriver to remove in the future: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07DT8C9T5?ref_=ppx_hzsearch_conn_dt_b_fed_asin_title_6&th=1

Best of luck with the rest of your tail light project!

 

[BronkyCHOO]

No. You want the washer piece to stay in place as you back the screw out. Only wedge/pry under the screw head, not the whole piece, you want to separate the screw from the washer, back it out away. Once the screw is backed out, you can pull both pieces out(screw with washer)

I tried doing that and it wouldn’t budge. I was just following peoples videos and the instructions thanks though I figured it out even though I broke a bunch of shit lol

 

[BronkyCHOO]

Those are simple to remove
lol

Apparently not or i wouldnt be on here crying like a little girl. I tried for over an hour, every way possible

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