removing tail lights?

[oldcane]

Hi guys. '73 charger. I took out the 8 screws that seemed to hold one of the tail lights in. What else is holding it? It was a little loose but would not come out. I could not see or feel what the problem was so how do you take these things out? I didn't want to start prying and break something.

Thanks.

 

[Chausse420]

If anything, just look inside the trunk, or under the trunk. maybe around the gas tank area under the trunk/bumper. Good luck, if you figure it out, let me know cuz mine are about to come off as well.

KEEP MOPARS ALIVE!!!

 

[oldcane]

Well, when I look in the trunk it appears I would have to dismantle the rear of the car to see anything. That's why I was hoping that EIGHT SCREWS would be all that was needed to hold the thing on.

I tell ya, when we got this thing last week I really enjoyed driving it the first couple of days. The few minor things we have fixed/tried to fix have turned out to be such major chores now my wife is thinking aobut unloading it. That and the fact it won't start now. More headaches.

But if I do figure it out I'll let you know. I started to try the other side just to see if this side was just stuck. You know like when you try and try and try and can't figure where you went wrong so you try the next X (whatever it is) and it works the way you though it should so the first one that had you pulling hair was just defective. But after all the screwing around (and actually turning screws) all day I didn't really feel like taking out another EIGHT SCREWS just to have the same thing happen and then have to put all 16 back in. I have delicate hands.

 

[MRHWS]

Hi guys. '73 charger. I took out the 8 screws that seemed to hold one of the tail lights in. What else is holding it? It was a little loose but would not come out. I could not see or feel what the problem was so how do you take these things out? I didn't want to start prying and break something.

Thanks.

There are 4 plastic rivets holding the housings in if they haven't been removed and replaced with screws. The easiest way to get to the 2 on the top, is loosen the 8 nuts, 4 each side, that hold the brackets to the back trunk panel, If you have bumper guards, you will have to loosen the 4 nuts, 2 each side, that attach to the frame. The 4 lower rivets can be had from under the bumper. They are push in type about 1 inch long with soft threads like a screw and you have to pry them out. If your bumper filler is off, you should have access and won't have to loosen bumper. The 8 screws only hold the lense in and don't forget to remove the metal bar attached to the top center of the bumper behind the license plate door. If you don't, you will break the lower inside corners of the housings.

 

[74sundance]

There are 4 plastic rivets holding the housings in if they haven't been removed and replaced with screws. The easiest way to get to the 2 on the top, is loosen the 8 nuts, 4 each side, that hold the brackets to the back trunk panel, If you have bumper guards, you will have to loosen the 4 nuts, 2 each side, that attach to the frame. The 4 lower rivets can be had from under the bumper. They are push in type about 1 inch long with soft threads like a screw and you have to pry them out. If your bumper filler is off, you should have access and won't have to loosen bumper. The 8 screws only hold the lense in and don't forget to remove the metal bar attached to the top center of the bumper behind the license plate door. If you don't, you will break the lower inside corners of the housings.

Yep here is what they look like:

 

[oldcane]

Aha! Thanks to all that answered. I now have good news though. We were going to replace the bulbs since the right side wasn't blinking. Well, even though the battery tested good we replaced it and it goes blinky-blinky on both sides. Also, the door open buzzer now works. Funny hwo things change when they get power, huh?