How do you remove the rear brake light sockets from housing

[USatC]

I am trying to remove the socket (not sure if thats what its called) that the light goes into that feeds into the rear housing so I can install the brake lights but I can't figure out how. I know I dont have to to get the brake lights in but my lights are being a bit stubborn about turning into place so I figure this is how I do them on my old chevy so it should work here too.

 

[69Bee]

What car, and year?

 

[USatC]

Sorry, 72 Satellite

 

[multimopes]

I am not sure but the sockets might be made into the housing. I think you remove just the lens to change bulbs. Again, I'm not sure and I have a 73.

 

[USatC]

I am not sure but the sockets might be made into the housing. I think you remove just the lens to change bulbs. Again, I'm not sure and I have a 73.

Ive done that. Its kinda odd, I have the old bulbs out but the new ones will not twist into place

 

[multimopes]

If I remember The sockets are spring loaded at the base contact. They might need lubrication. Hit them with some rust bust and a little grease. Also remember that one of the little pins is higher than the other and they only go in one way.

 

[dual fours]

Are they #1157, just a shot in the dark, but those bulbs have the offset pins on the sides of the base, so the bulbs only go in one way for brakes and taillight, also have two contacts spots on the base bottom.
The taillight only #1156 bulbs have the pins equally spaced up from the base bottom, also only one contact spot on the base bottom.

Look in the socket first and verify one (tail light) or two (brake/tail light) contact spots.

 

[Dibbons]

I went through the same thing with my '72 Satellite Sebring Plus. With age, those bulbs don't want to co-operate. They were so bad, I attempted to change out the entire socket (after removing the entire tail light assembly from the bumper) but had to abort when I found the sockets really are built into the housing pretty well. It is difficult to remove them without damaging something in the process.

So I just ended up struggling with the old factory, corroded parts as they were. Between the lamp, socket, pins, and springs, it will take time, different cleaners/lubricants and a little ingenuity to get any movement at all out of those parts.

 

[72SSP_EV2]

The sockets are part of the housing on these cars, I went through this with mine, my sockets were so corroded i could not get new bulbs in. With the housings removed from the car and on a bench, i used a Dremel tool to cut the sockets out of the housing. Then with a tiny bit of modification to the opening in the housing, i was able to install a new aftermarket socket from Napa. a little silicone to seal it and good as new!

 

[Lelo 500]

to replace the sockets use a small strong knife to bend the metal back where it is pinched to the housing, slow and steady. the replacements use tabs to hold them in. good luck!