austinrx7bill

This is an follow-up to my ongoing saga of the antenna.

I am trying to remove the right rear tail light housing in order to make it easier to replace the antenna.

I pulled the jack and removed the eight (8) nuts from the housing and removed the metal frame that pulls the housing against the body. Actually seven (7), as one of the studs was broken off (which means the light housing has been out before?).

The side marker part of the housing is loose and moving but not the rear part of the housing.

Is there anything other than the 8 nuts-studs securing it?

Could it have been siliconed in when it was previously removed by the former owner?

ShouldI try to pry it loose using plastic body panel removal tools from the outside?

Or do I need to give it a little tap on the studs or body from the inside using a dead blow + wood dowel to try and break it loose?

If anyone can share a similar experience and how they got the housing out without breaking it, it would be appreciated.

GSLSEforme

Likely silicone was used on it. Work from the right side of taillight since it appears to be loose? Try smooth application of force 1st before hitting light housing with anything. Use a piece of 2x3 or 2x4 long enough where you can get two hands on it. Screw nuts on to end of stud to push against and with a smooth application of power push on upper then lower stud closest to right side and see if you get any movement. If no movement go to opposite end of light housing and try there.
If you get some movement at top and bottom studs,move to next set of studs and try to get some movement,if you do,go back to end studs and push there again. If you get enough clearance slip a wedge shaped panel tool in the gap to hold light in the pushed out position and go back to next set of studs and push some more and work your way across. Need to pry sealer loose from an end of light housing. Trying to push in the center of housing probably will not be too effective.
Hopefully this will separate light housing from body of car,if not then try lightly? tapping on wood block. Focus on getting light housing off in one piece,can't worry about the gasket at this point,but you could get lucky. There is the possibility there is no gasket at all and last person to reinstall light housing gooped up a silicone gasket and that is what you're dealing with. Hope it's silicone and not weatherstrip adhesive...

austinrx7bill

so if it doesn't come out easily, then as I feared, gooped in.

Likewise hope it's not adhesive

Unfortunately, patience is not one of my better qualities so hopefully I don't crack it.

LongDuck

That usually helps slow you down knowing that it's expensive to replace a light housing and just being cautious avoids all that hassle of finding one and paying and then waiting for it to ship, then having to install it,... Just slow down and be methodical. Most things in life don't respond well to rash application of force out of frustration.

austinrx7bill

That's the lesson I learned ...